Football fans have reacted with glee to the news of David Moyes’ appointment as Everton manager, 12 years after he left Goodison Park to join Manchester United.
The Scot was confirmed as Sean Dyche’s replacement on Saturday morning following the former Burnley manager’s dismissal just hours before their FA Cup third round match against Peterborough on Thursday.
Mail Sport revealed on Friday that the 61-year-old, who has held positions at United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham since his 2013 Toffees departure, was expected to sign terms that will run until June 2027.
Moyes spent the last 48 hours working on the make up of his backroom staff and he will be joined at Goodison Park by long-term ally Billy McKinlay.
In stark contrast to many events in the sport, news of his appointment has been met with a groundswell of goodwill, with fans aligned in their belief that he will improve the fortunes of the side.
‘Great news, a club of Everton’s stature should be playing in Europe every season and I believe they now will be,’ wrote on user on X. Another said: ‘As much as I probably wouldn’t have sacked Dyche right now I think think Moyes could be a good appointment. He should stabilise the club at least in the short term.’
David Moyes has been confirmed as Everton boss, 12 years after leaving Goodison Park to join Manchester United
The Scot enjoyed a successful 11-year tenure with the Toffees from 2002 to 2013
Moyes was jokingly urged to sign retired midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who he took with him to Old Trafford in 2013 following an impressive five-year spell under the Scot at Everton
Specsavers’ X account hilariously posted: ‘Call Fellaini’, in reference to Moyes’ signing of the Belgian at Old Trafford following his starring role under him at Goodison Park between 2008 and 2013.
Upon his return, Moyes said: ‘It’s great to be back! I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn’t hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club.
‘Now we need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in getting behind the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team.’
Dyche was sensationally sacked on Thursday, just hours before Everton’s 2-0 win over Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup.
There had been speculation all week about Dyche’s position, fuelled by Everton making an inquiry on Monday to Graham Potter’s representatives around the time when the new West Ham manager was being interviewed by David Sullivan to succeed Julen Lopetegui.
The Friedkin Group, whose takeover from Farhad Moshiri was confirmed on December 19 last year, had been assessing the situation around Dyche – accelerated by last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth – and concerns were mounting following a run of one win in 11 matches.
It is understood that Dyche was on the brink of leaving Everton on Wednesday night but he reported to Finch Farm to take a light training session on Thursday morning. There was an uneasy atmosphere around the club and, four hours before kick-off, the decision was taken to end his two-year reign.
There was not complete agreement among fans over Moyes’ return to the Merseyside club, with one questioning the wisdom of replacing Dyche with the Scot.
Specsavers’ X account reacted to the news with a hilarious demand of the 61-year-old
One Toffees fan delivered an impassioned post following the news of Moyes’ appointment
Moyes is tasked with guiding Everton away from danger, with the side currently sitting just one point above the relegation zone after the sacking of Sean Dyche
Moyes led West Ham to the Europa Conference League in 2023 before he was sacked as Hammers boss at the end of last term
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‘Is Moyes really a marked improvement over Dyche?’ they wrote on X.
But above all else, the appointment appears to have struck a rather romantic chord with fans, many of whom witnessed Moyes’ impressive first tenure and subsequent successes since his career nadir at Old Trafford.
One impassioned post read: ‘Welcome back Davey. Its destiny that brought you back. You were one of the Old Lady’s favourite sons until you turned your back on her. But she is forgiving, and welcomes you back with open arms. Your job is massive. Give her the send-off she deserves. IMWT. UTFT.’
Moyes has been out of work since leaving West Ham at the end of last season but has since appeared as a pundit on Match of the Day.
Moyes guided Everton to the qualifying rounds of the Champions League after finishing fourth ahead of Liverpool in the 2004-05 season, as well as the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in 2008. He also led the club to the 2009 FA Cup final, where the Toffees were beaten by Chelsea.
He will be tasked with keeping Everton in the Premier League, with the club 16th in the table, a point outside of the relegation zone.
The Toffees have won just three league games all season and will be hoping for an upturn in form following the appointment of Moyes.
