David Moyes’ second Everton tenure kicks off with a well-recognized feeling because the Scot returns to Merseyside entrusted with main Toffees into a brand new period, writes DOMINIC KING

He has been here before, literally and metaphorically. ‘David Moyes, Everton manager,’ is a title with which he, and we, are well acquainted and the feelings he had 23 years ago will be just as familiar when he begins Act Two.

When the call came in March 2002, Moyes — then aged 38, managing Preston and burning with intensity — did not hesitate to say yes to Bill Kenwright. He carried on from a scouting mission to see Nathan Ellington, a striker at Bristol Rovers, to meet Everton’s late chairman at his London home.

There was no doubt in his mind, as he headed back up the M6, that Everton were the club for him, but the longer he drove through the early hours, one thought kept nagging, like a dull toothache — don’t be the man to take them down.

Everton, as now, were 16th in the Premier League. Moyes, whose demeanour back then could easily be described as ‘glacial’, got a 2-1 win in his first game against Fulham and the tide began to turn.

Over the next 11 years, Moyes — with an excellent backroom team and the unfailing support of Kenwright — did everything for Everton bar win a trophy. With a little luck in the 2009 FA Cup final against Chelsea, even that would have been achieved.

You may think, then, that his re-appointment has been greeted with unanimous approval, like in 2002, but it is fair to say there is a section of fans who aren’t enthused by the prospect of a 61-year-old being asked to usher in a new era.

David Moyes has returned to Everton as manager after his previous 11-year spell in charge

Moyes has been appointed Everton boss after the club parted ways with Sean Dyche

Moyes’ first task will be leading Everton away from the Premier League’s relegation zone

Those are the people who were hurt by the fact Moyes ran his contract down in 2013 before heading to Manchester United. Evertonians have long memories and are some of the hardest people in football to win over.

Doubters should know he starts the second chapter fuelled by that same ‘fear’ of letting them down and taking them down. He knows, better than anyone, what a calamity it would be if Everton finished this season in the bottom three, but, be sure, he will not allow it.

There is also a sense of unfinished business. In December 2019, Moyes thought he was going to be reappointed by Farhad Moshiri, having met Everton’s former owner at his chateau in Munich, but lost out at the eleventh hour to Carlo Ancelotti.

Moyes, who was announced as Sean Dyche’s successor at 9am on the club’s website, was not at Finch Farm on Saturday. Instead, training was overseen by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, the full backs he signed as young pups in 2007 and 2009.

Moyes will be assisted by Billy McKinlay, Baines and Alan Irvine, who also returns to the club where he played and assisted Moyes in his first spell.

‘It’s great to be back,’ said Moyes, who hopes to add pace to the team during this transfer window. ‘I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn’t hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club.

‘I’m excited to be working with the Friedkin Group and I am looking forward to helping them rebuild the 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.’

There is a sense of unfinished business for Moyes at Goodison Park as he returns to Everton

Moyes returns having delivered European trophy success during his stint at West Ham

Moyes previously spent 11 impressive years at Everton before later leaving to join Man United

Moyes has signed a deal until June 2027. The Friedkin Group, whose purchase of Everton was confirmed before Christmas, did not waste any time making a change after listening to Dyche, who had become weary of some challenging circumstances.

Though they considered going for Graham Potter, TFG are adamant the first big decision of their ownership will pay dividends and that Moyes’s vast experience — he has managed more than 1,000 games — will be crucial in putting Everton on a more stable footing.

‘We are pleased David is joining us at this pivotal time in Everton’s history,’ said Marc Watt, Everton’s executive chairman. 

‘He is the right leader to propel us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium.’