David Moyes’ spouse’s recommendation and web value as ex-Man Utd boss in talks with Everton
David Moyes is being lined up for a sensational return to Everton after Sean Dyche was sacked just hours before the Toffees’ FA Cup game on Thursday
David Moyes is being tipped for a shock return to Everton following the dismissal of Sean Dyche on Thursday, just hours before their FA Cup triumph over Peterborough United.
The Toffees have been struggling in the Premier League, failing to secure a win in their last five matches, with their most recent victory being a 4-0 thrashing of Wolves in early December. They sit just one point above the relegation zone.
Despite holding Arsenal and Chelsea to goalless draws and managing a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, Dyche found himself under increasing pressure and was eventually given his marching orders just before his side faced off against League One Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup at Goodison Park.
Club captain Seamus Coleman and Under-18s coach Leighton Baines stepped up to take temporary charge of the team on Thursday, leading them to victory thanks to goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye.
Meanwhile, former Everton boss Moyes is reportedly in talks with the club’s owners – The Friedkin Group – and could make his comeback as soon as this weekend. While the Scot isn’t the only candidate, reports say he is the frontrunner.
The Friedkin Group are keen to unveil a new manager ahead of Everton’s upcoming match against Aston Villa on Wednesday (January 15), and Moyes, who parted ways with West Ham at the end of last season, could be the ideal short-term solution.
However, Moyes, who managed Everton between 2002 and 2013, has confessed that he doesn’t want to constantly find himself in jobs where he’s fighting relegation battles.
Speaking to Sky Sports last month, Moyes made it clear he’s not into the relegation battle grind anymore. “I don’t want to be taking jobs where I have to scrap all the time and be round the bottom of the league.
“Most of the time I was at Everton, we were competing for European positions. The last four years at West Ham, three of them have been in Europe.”
He highlighted his ambition: “I like to think I can do a job at a level rather than just avoiding relegation. I will wait on the right opportunity and if it doesn’t come, I’ll be happy where I am at the moment.”
Moyes sees the Everton job as ‘unfinished’ business after he revealed to The Times that his wife Pamela urged him to remain with the club before he signed a five-year contract extension with the Toffees during the 2008/09 season.
“My wife said to me, ‘get your contract signed and get on with it’. People were starting to think it had something to do with uncertainty over my future, using it as an excuse. ‘Just get on with it’ – very Scottish advice,” Moyes revealed.
Moyes’ apparent stance of not wanting to rush back into management for the wrong job isn’t surprising given the net worth he has amassed during his career.
As per Celebrity Net Worth, they estimate the Scotsman to have around £20.2million ($25m) – thanks to his stint on the pitch and in the managerial hot seat. Moyes’ footballing journey has seen him take the helm at Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland, and recently waving goodbye to West Ham where he lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023.
Since hanging up his boots at Preston North End in 1998 and becoming their manager immediately after, Moyes resided in his nearby home, Haighton House, buying the house when he was managing Everton.
According to The Lancashire Post, the house was sold for £4.3million in 2019 after Moyes is believed to have paid ex-Preston North End director Sean Keogh an estimated £3.6m for the property in 2006.
