David Moyes was speaking in his first Everton press conference since returning to the club
Returning manager David Moyes has spoken about the new owners’ ambitions to “build a better Everton” at this first press conference back as Blues boss. The Scot, who steered Everton to nine top half finishes between 2002-13, including a Premier League club high of fourth in 2004/05, was unveiled for a second time at Finch Farm after penning a two-and-a-half year contract to replace Sean Dyche.
Asked about the conversations to make an Everton return, Moyes said: “It was really quick, Tuesday or Wednesday, I got a call to say there was a chance there was going to be a change. I had several conversations with Dan (Friedkin) and Marc (Watts) and that’s where it really took off from.
“Up until that point, I had no idea. I actually thought Sean was doing a really good job and I didn’t see any changes materialising at the time.
READ MORE: David Moyes press conference LIVE – Everton return, transfers and Friedkin Group messageREAD MORE: David Moyes is ahead of every other manager in one key area for Everton
“In truth, I wasn’t necessarily looking to go back. As everybody knows, this is a different beast to me than other clubs.”
Moyes, employed by West Ham United last season, recently stated that he wouldn’t want to come back into the Premier League with a club embroiled in a relegation battle. After playing half of their fixtures this season, Everton have just 17 points and are one point above the drop zone.
The 61-year-old said: “Everton is different. A couple of weeks ago, I didn’t think there was any chance Everton would be in a relegation fight, I thought they were strong enough to get out of it.
“I’ve come into the seat now and I’m going to back that and to say we’ll stay away from it. I’m not kidding myself or anyone else and we’ll need everybody behind us, with the players playing better and scoring more goals if we’re going to make that happen.”
In terms of his talks with The Friedkin Group, Moyes spoke about the ambitions of the Houston-based group that took charge of Everton last month. He said: “I have to say Dan and Marc were very good. I think a lot of Evertonians should be happy that at the moment that it looks like they’re going in the right direction.
“I’ve been really privileged here to work under some great owners and people who have helped me. I’ve worked under people who their intention was to build a better Everton, and I think they’ve done that.
“I think we did that in a period that wasn’t easy either and I think this period is not going to be easy but I think the new ownership have got big ideas and big hopes that they can make a big difference at the football club.”
Moyes confirmed that Billy McKinlay, his assistant manager at West Ham United will take up a similar role at Everton with Leighton Baines stepping up from the Under-18s and Alan Irvine joining his staff next week.
The Blues boss said Dwight McNeil is still out injured against Aston Villa, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back training but Armando Broja is awaiting the results of a second scan after being stretchered off against Peterborough United.
