David Moyes has said that returning to Everton was “too big an opportunity to turn down” as he rejoined the club he had managed for 11 seasons in very different circumstances from when he left in 2013.
The 61-year-old has been appointed as Sean Dyche’s successor on a two-and-a-half year deal, bringing an end to 12 years away from the club he left to join Manchester United.
Moyes, who has been out of work since leaving West Ham Unitedin the summer, revealed that he was close to coming back to Everton “three or four times” and that his eventual return happened quickly after discussions with Dan Friedkin, the chairman of owners The Friedkin Group (TFG), and Marc Watts, the executive chairman.
“I thought Sean was doing a really good job and I didn’t see any changes materialising at the time,” Moyes explained. “I wasn’t necessarily out there looking to go back but as everyone knows this is a different beast to me than other clubs.”
Asked if it was the only club job he would have taken, Moyes replied: “Yes, I believe so, because I don’t think there is anything else.
“I have had opportunities to consider other jobs, quite a few since I left West Ham, and I didn’t feel ready for it but I always thought if the job came in, it was too big an opportunity to turn down.
“I want to show I can go again. In football, you always have to prove yourself and I’ll try to do that again.”
During his previous spell in charge, Everton were consistently finishing in the top half of the table, competing in Europe and reached an FA Cup final. However, Moyes now picks up the reigns amidst very different circumstances.
For the fourth straight season, the Merseyside club are facing a fight to stay in the top flight as they are currently just one point above the relegation zone in 16th place.
Moyes will be in the home dugout at Goodison Park for the first time since May 2013 when Aston Villa visit on Wednesday evening, and ensuring the club move to their new Bramley Moore Dock stadium as a first division outfit is the main priority.
'There is pressure when you care'
“I don’t think it’ll be the same Everton,” Moyes said of what he inherits. “And it’s probably not the same David Moyes. A bit more experience maybe, a bit wiser.
“Ultimately, we’ve got to make sure that we’re not near the bottom. That’s the big key. After that, we can decide how we go and what we do from there.
“I see it as a huge pressure and when you care so much about a club and have such a long period [away], it makes me realise it is a really popular club, one that needs to be — and has been — in the top flight.
“It would be a great feeling for us all to be in the new stadium. But it would mainly be great if we are a Premier League club and can give everyone something to shout about.”
Everton have scored only 15 goals in their 19 league matches this season, which has seen them register just three wins, and Moyes sees an increase on the goalscoring front as paramount to any survival bid.
Dyche was unable to get a tune out of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored only twice this season and not found the back of the net in any of his past 15 outings. But Moyes hopes that an increase in confidence will see the goals start to flow.
“We all feel he could make a big difference. Get his goalscoring boots back on and be a big help to Evertonians and the manager as well,” said Moyes, who will be supported by assistant coaches Billy McKinlay, Alan Irvine and Leighton Baines.
“We will give him as much confidence as we can and as much practice as we can but then there is a bit where you need the player to stand up and do his bit as well.
“I am just in and hopefully we will get them working but I have told him I am needing goals off him right away and he has to start to deliver.”
