The 2½-year contract handed to David Moyes was considered 2 years too long by many. Given the circumstances of his departure and the comments he made as Man Utd boss, numerous fans opposed his reinstatement and desired a more high-profile name at the helm. This sentiment was shared by me, until I considered the size of the task at hand.

In the first 6 months, or at least until the end of May, the primary objective is to avoid relegation. Moyes has a proven ability to organise a team and possesses a keen eye for bargain transfers, although such opportunities are increasingly rare. 

I'm confident that Moyes will prevent the team from relegation. His skill in organizing players and his extensive Premier League experience are expected to trigger a response from a current squad that many deem to be underperforming. 

Planning for the replacement of 16 first-team players must commence immediately. The question of how any Director of Football could allow this situation to develop warrants a separate discussion; for now, it can be deemed a dereliction of duty. It is doubtful that Kevin Thelwell will remain in his position for much longer or have any influence in player recruitment while he continues in his role. 

Assuming contract extensions are secured and those not retained are released, the daunting task of rebuilding a squad with a modest budget lies ahead. Moyes will need to focus on short-term recruitment, seeking experienced players (potentially on free transfers) and young talents with speed and promise, integrating them with the remaining squad and those capable of stepping up to the first team from the U18s and U21s. 

Transitioning to the new stadium while still in the top flight is merely the beginning. The squad will face numerous changes, including a new pre-match routine, a new pitch, a new dressing room, a new atmosphere, and new teammates. Moyes will need to navigate these adjustments and ensure that the new stadium quickly becomes a familiar home rather than an unlucky away ground. His first full season will involve helping the team acclimate to their new environment while fostering cohesion among players, especially the younger ones who require crucial Premier League experience.

It is only in his final year that Moyes is expected to take a longer-term view of the club's direction. Provided he can establish stability and consistency, the club should be positioned to look upward rather than downward, allowing for a more strategic approach to recruitment rather than a purely tactical one. There is a desire for the footballing philosophy to be addressed sooner, although this will heavily depend on the control Moyes possesses within the club and whether they adopt a Director of Football or Technical Director model in the future.

While Moyes may not be spectacular, he is anticipated to bring a sense of calm and familiarity to the club. His return mirrors the situation we were in back in 2002, with respect to performance, squad depth and results. It took him 2½ years to get us to the Champions League; highly unlikely he achieves that feat this time around. 

The club, its owners, and the landscape of football have all changed significantly over the past 22 years. It is a huge task to bring us back to normality. I wish him well.

Reader Comments (21)

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Mal van Schaick
1 Posted 13/01/2025 at 17:42:34
It's obvious tha David Moyes understands the challenges ahead of him, but he also understands that if Everton can maintain their Premier League status and rebuild, the rewards for everybody involved would be satisfying. Only time will tell.

In the meantime, the onus is on the current squad to deliver on the pitch, perhaps with a couple of new additions, and finish the season strongly.

Andrew James
2 Posted 13/01/2025 at 19:35:49
That term makes sense to me. If you cut it into thirds. The first will be getting us into BMD as a top flight football. So that is until this summer.

The second is next season and settling us into a style and identity of football.

Depending on that all being delivered with relative success or efficiency, we reach a third season where Moyes will be attempting, presumably, to win another longer contract and taking us to a higher level be it in the table or on a cup run.

Lee Courtliff
3 Posted 13/01/2025 at 22:20:04
I do wonder if he'll be able to adapt to not having the same control as he did in his previous (long) spell in charge? From what we know, it seemed as though he had final say on almost everything and I doubt it will be like that this time around.

Although, Dyche often spoke as though he was responsible for far more than what he initially believed he would be, and we don't know enough about the new owners to say that it won't be like that for Moyes too.

Hopefully we'll have far more professionalism from TFG and Moyes can just concentrate on the team. I'm certain we'll get off to a winning start under him on Wednesday as Goodison will create its famous atmosphere under the lights and Villa have hardly been exceptional this season.

It's just so 'Everton' to win on Wednesday when we're underdogs… we all know Moyes loved that tag.

Barry Rathbone
4 Posted 13/01/2025 at 22:38:01
Managers just don't get time anymore – even the new fella at Man Utd had questions asked until the Liverpool draw.

Fans demand an upward trajectory from minute one and, while Moyes has a contract for 30 months, he won't see the season out if immediate improvement doesn't arrive.

Ernie Baywood
5 Posted 14/01/2025 at 00:40:05
Agree with the premise. Stabilise, transition, improve. If that 30-month period went brilliantly, then it's probably about as far as he could take us.

But there's no guarantee of 30 months. That's just a contractual position. My employment contract is indefinite – but it's unlikely to be so.

He could be gone in 6, 12, 18 if he can't deliver.

Eric Myles
6 Posted 14/01/2025 at 02:59:24
Alan, a desire for a footballing philosophy is a good thing, but Moyes's footballing philosophy is not one that most fans I think will want to see in the future.

That's why I think Thelwell will take a back seat to Moyes's pragmatism to get us stable. Then if he (Thelwell) or another DoF are still around, set the philosophy, and recruit the players and manager to carry it out.

Derek Thomas
7 Posted 14/01/2025 at 07:20:18
It all depends on just who is driving the DoF & Manager horse and cart.

If the Manager says, "Get me a list of the top 5 Number 10s, or right-backs we can afford," well fair enough. That's a system that Moyes can live with.

If the DoF just keeps slinging players into the squad and the manager says "He doesn't do what we require" and then hears the DoF saying, "You're the Coach, coach him so he does," it's not going to work.

The failure rate is high enough as it is.

Jerome Shields
8 Posted 14/01/2025 at 07:24:49
Ernie @5,

I agree with the same premise. The only things is that I think the timeframe will be longer. As for Moyes, he is stage one of many subsequent stages.

But as you say, the new owners will act if the goods are not delivered. Though the contract he has seems to suggest the owners think they have got stage one.

Jack Convery
9 Posted 14/01/2025 at 09:12:48
When I saw the headline, I thought, great. What was his offence and what Prison is he serving the 30 months.
Matt Traynor
10 Posted 14/01/2025 at 10:57:04
Jack #9, I thought the same - but under this government he'll be out in 14 months

Let's see what happens in reality!

Christopher Timmins
11 Posted 14/01/2025 at 11:36:06
A prison sentence, maybe he it will be reduced to 15 months with good behaviour.

He, Moyes, faces one of his toughest tests as a manager, it certainly will be case with improvements coming through the door, in trying to keep us in the division.

Pat Kelly
12 Posted 14/01/2025 at 11:42:11
For those of you interested in the role of the Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell has distilled his time at Everton into a book which is sure to become the go to handbook for aspiring DOFs. The book, titled “Living with Imposter Syndrome”, is full of fascinating insights and advice. So far, I’ve only read the following chapters:

How to spot a dud. And sign him anyway.

Goals have no place in football.

How to bypass your own midfield.

Treating splinters.

Hanging managers out to dry.

How to fleece a billionaire.

What happens at Finch Farm (unfortunately, in my copy this is blank)

Never sign a player on a stretcher.

How to rewrite a ten year strategy.

Trevor Bailey
13 Posted 14/01/2025 at 11:42:57
No psr charges for any clubs
Dave Abrahams
14 Posted 14/01/2025 at 11:48:08
Pat (12) The final chapter in the book was very interesting——-

How to cope with bringing a new manager, you are not fussy on, into a club.

Jack Convery
15 Posted 14/01/2025 at 12:08:15
Peter Moore
16 Posted 14/01/2025 at 12:21:59
An excellent article. I hope your view of how things are designed to progress comes to fruition. There is a good chance it will I feel, as long as the drop is avoided this season.
Whilst we are a disparate bunch, for the future and history, we must do our utmost to give Goodison Park a glorious send off, as a winning home team. Let's support the lads at full tilt and bring back Fortress Goodison for 10 last 'Cup Finals'. 💙
Allan Board
17 Posted 14/01/2025 at 15:33:04
Well, he's here now so let's get on with it.

He did mention in his presser that they'd had some "laughs" in training – must have happened when they saw Doucoure trying to control a football!

We can slate Moyes if we wish to – but boy, is he going to get frustrated and stressed out trying to get goals out of this lot. The players look petrified and in a frozen trance-like state – thanks, Dyche – so good luck, Davey, you are gonna need it!

Probably only 4 or 5 of the lads look anything like capable at the minute. And, I still would have gone for Carrick, just for the record.

David West
18 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:50:16
Allan @17, I think the players have had the joy of playing football sucked right out of them by the previous manager.

I know Moyes isn't really a loveable happy chappie, but what I would say is players give their all for him; he is good at fostering a good team spirit and his former players talk of him in the highest regard. I do believe he will get more from this group of players, just like he did on his first arrival.

Dyche didn't believe in his own players, didn't believe they could play any other way than the utterly cowardly way he sent out his team.

The players I believe, knew it wasn't working, knew it wouldn't work, and therefore, if players don't buy in to the philosophy of the manager, you are already 50% beaten.

Belief goes a long way; confidence, momentum and just enjoying what you're trying to achieve.

Si Cooper
19 Posted 14/01/2025 at 20:39:24
“It took him 2½ years to get us to the Champions League; highly unlikely he achieves that feat this time around.”

If you could bring someone in in the summer who was a better bet to deliver the longer-term goals, why would you want Moyes to be left in charge?

You can try to make 30 months sound reasonable but, if it means we have to wait 30 months to get a better manager, then some of it will still be time wasted.

Jem Bir
20 Posted 15/01/2025 at 12:25:04
I don't quite understand the dislike of Moyes and the expectation that there are better managers out there gagging to manage Everton.
Really?
Who?
Potter had no intention of coming here - he thought it was 'too hard' and West Ham an easier gig.
Mourinho? FFS.

Our club is broken, we need stability and someone who get us some traction crawling out of this mess.

Moyes fits the bill.

Tony Mace
21 Posted 15/01/2025 at 14:04:03
Lets get right behind the team and manager tonight.

We didn't have success under Moyes last time round but maybe this was down to lack of funds.

To the younger generation he is the best we've had by far and if he can avoid relegation this year and keep us on an upward trajectory / stabilised for the next few seasons that will do for me.

I'm just hoping the Paddy Power Grim Reaper doesn't turn up at Goodison anytime soon.

UTFT

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