David Moyes gives his first sit-down interview since returning as Everton manager, looking towards hard work and togetherness.
He expressed excitement about his return to the club where he previously spent 11 successful years, and emphasised his eagerness to work with The Friedkin Group (TFG), Everton’s new owners, and his intent to help rebuild the club.
He also made an early plea to the supporters to rally behind the team during this significant season, aiming to secure Everton’s place in the Premier League as they prepare to move into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
This interview was conducted following his official reappointment on the 11th of January, where he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to replace Sean Dyche.
David Moyes vows to deliver an Everton team that reflects the values of the Club – to move the Blues in the right direction this season and pave the way for a bright new future.
The Scot was confirmed as Everton’s new Men’s Senior Team manager on Saturday, returning to the Club he “has great affection for”, where he spent 11 years from 2002 to 2013.
During that time as Toffees boss – which included more than 500 matches – Moyes had Everton regularly qualifying for European competition, as well as reaching the FA Cup final in 2009.
In his first interview since his Blues return, he accepted the priority for the remainder of this campaign is to win enough points to move up the Premier League table.
But the former defender is eager to do that by instilling an ethos he believes is fundamental to Everton, which can lead to a new era in the Club’s world-class waterfront stadium from next season.
On his first day back at Finch Farm, where he met Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, and Club staff, Moyes told evertontv: “It’s absolutely brilliant to be back. I always thought that maybe I’d be lucky enough to get the opportunity to come back. I had an unbelievable time here before, 11 years, which was exceptional.
“I’m probably coming back to a completely different Everton from the one I left a long time ago. It would be great if we could get it back in the same condition. Everybody who works in the building and has been here at the time before understands exactly what we mean with a great feeling around the training ground, with a great togetherness, whether we were out together or working together.
“I hope I can get that back but the one thing I do know is that I’m back at a club which I’m really fond of and want to be successful. I want the club to be successful.
“Hopefully I come back with knowledge and experience which I can pass onto the players and everybody round here, everybody at the Club.”
Moyes added: “We can have all the fancy plans we want but, let’s be fair, we’re probably not quite in the position to do that yet. But we do have to look to see what’s going to go on in the future. I’m here and I’m going to try to put as many things right as I possibly can. The first thing I have got to try to put right is that we get results to make sure we’re going into our new stadium as a Premier League team.
“We hope we’re seeing clearer blue skies in the distance and we’ve all got to get on board together and head towards it. I’m not saying everything is going to be smooth – Evertonians will have been used to that over the past two or three years. But I genuinely feel as if there’s better things ahead and we’ve got to look forward now and hope that we can plan for a better future.
“I know the support base; I know what they want. We’ve got to get this season right but we need to start challenging again. I take real pride in the league positions we finished here, and the teams we were finishing above. We were challenging for Europe regularly. It’d be great if we were back talking in those terms but we can’t be talking like that until we get ourselves picked up, dusted down, and be more competitive.
“The plan is for me just try to get the wins, at the moment, to make sure, first and foremost, we’re a Premier League team.”
Moyes’ first spell at Everton, along with managerial success elsewhere which included leading West Ham United to Europa Conference League glory in 2023, was underpinned by strong work-ethic and team spirit, which he insists will be key again for the Toffees to progress.
“I think they’re things which we’re not going to change,” he said. “Those parts can’t change. I don’t know whether you can win without them. All the good teams have all those values. We want to do that but we also want to add something to it. We know we’ll have to look to find ways, at the moment, of winning. Because we need to get results.
“And we’ll do our best to do that, but I’d hope everybody who plays for Everton has got those values. We’re not going to change our principles. We’re going to keep working, make the players work hard, make sure the supporters recognise that, as well.
“Let’s be fair, I’m sitting here as a manager that’s a bit older, a bit wiser and maybe we should be turning around and saying, ‘Come on, you players, you’ve had a few managers and now it’s time to see you boys putting the work in as well’.
“I’ll always be protective of my players and I’ll never shirk away from that but there are points where they have to stand up and show what they’re capable of if they’ve got that talent. So, come on, if you’ve got the talent then, let’s get it out now – and I’ll try to squeeze everything I can out of them.”
Having enjoyed more than a decade of special memories at Goodison Park, Moyes is excited to return when Everton host Aston Villa under the lights on Wednesday night.
The manager spoke of the importance of everyone connected with the Club to unite for the final campaign at the Grand Old Lady, before moving a stunning new home for 2025/26 and taking the Blues forward.
“I’m excited about the new stadium, and I think every Evertonian should be because it’s been something which has been wanted,” he said. “But what I know they want more than anything is a team, performances, results, and I think to be back amongst the teams who have been competitive.
“I’m not an expert on Everton but I’ve got a great idea about what’s required. I hope I can get it and build it. I think I’m the right man to do the job and hopefully get us back on the right track and get us moving the right direction.
“We’ve got to leave Goodison in the right way. We’re under the lights this week against Aston Villa so it would be a great opportunity for all the Evertonians to show how much it matters.
“Not so much about the manager – but what it feels like to be at the Club. We’re on the verge of a change but hopefully they also know they’re bringing someone back who has got great affection for the Club and I’ll try to do all the right things between now and the end of the season to make sure we’re still a Premier League side.”
Here’s how fans reacted as David Moyes gives his first sit-down interview since returning as Everton manager…
@Chazblue82: Good luck boss …. We’re right behind you ! Show some of these players what they need to bring to the table and what it takes to wear our badge with pride 
@Leedad8: What I love it that we kept saying ‘we’ I can’t wait for him to add his mark on the squad
@Azzurri1878: Yep, that’s done it – can’t wait for Wednesday now! UTFT!!!
@LordStu1234: What a breath of fresh air after listening to 2 years of Dyche who never had any love for the club or the fans at all
@johnboybeattie: It was a no-brainer appointment. Best of luck, Davie Bhoy
@caewallace: Ffs 30 second clip and the bastards have sucked me back in 
UTFT!!!
@gregorallan9: Right, I’m fully on board
@fiona_latham1: I just love this man no bullshit just straight to the point.
@everton_arent: No bullshit, no waffle, no false promises. Just a breath of fresh air having him back. Fucking get me in that ground Wednesday
@Alan_1878: He’s reeled me back in.
@MrEverton1878: Interview is superb. All we have heard all season and before is relegation and the same old. He knows we are in serious shit but he also wants to talk about the future and getting us back to how he left it and his times before. Always around the top 4/5/6/7. Back home Moysie
@TateCallingham: There was more positivity in this 12 minute interview than we heard from Dyche in over 2 years. Unbelievably refreshing and hope that rubs off on the players 
@PaulScarratt: Fuck it. They’ve dragged me back in, as much as I was fighting against it. 
up the toffees.
@ashtonmb2_: enjoyed watching this, was so refreshing not listening to that gravel eater
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