'It's great to be back': Everton welcomes back David Moyes as their manager

David Moyes is back as Everton's manager following the dismissal of Sean Dyche, the club announced on Saturday.

"David is widely recognised as one of the Premier League’s most experienced and accomplished managers, having led Everton for more than 500 matches from 2002 to 2013," a statement on Everton's website confirmed.

Everton's executive chairman, Marc Watts, expressed his satisfaction with Moyes' return.



"We are pleased that David is joining us at this pivotal time in Everton’s history," Watts stated.

Watts highlighted Moyes' extensive history with the club and his suitability for the current situation, emphasising the importance of the upcoming move to a new stadium.

"With over a decade of experience at the club, he is the right leader to propel us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium. We look forward to working with David to build the foundation of a new era for Everton," Watts added.

Moyes also shared his enthusiasm about returning to Everton.

"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," Moyes remarked.

The Friedkin Group, Everton's new owners, chose Moyes after dismissing Dyche. Dyche's dismissal occurred just hours before Everton's 2-0 FA Cup victory against Peterborough.

Moyes has reportedly agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract, marking his return to Everton after 12 years. He previously left for an unsuccessful period managing Manchester United.

The 61-year-old Scottish manager has been without a club since leaving West Ham at the conclusion of the previous season.

His second stint as Everton manager is scheduled to begin on Wednesday when Everton will face Aston Villa in a Premier League match.

Moyes remains a popular figure among Everton supporters. His initial 11-year tenure, from 2002 to 2013, included notable achievements such as a fourth-place Premier League finish in 2005 and reaching the FA Cup final in 2009.

Dyche's two-year spell as Everton manager ended abruptly on Thursday following Everton's loss to Bournemouth on 4th January.

Everton had reportedly considered Graham Potter, the former Chelsea manager, as their primary target. However, Potter ultimately joined West Ham. Jose Mourinho, currently managing Fenerbahce in Turkey, also reportedly declined interest in the Everton position.

Moyes' immediate challenge is to steer Everton clear of the relegation zone, a crucial task as the club prepares to move to their new Bramley Moore Dock Stadium next season.

Dyche's recent record showed only one win in his last 11 matches, leaving Everton precariously positioned just one point above the relegation zone.

For the FA Cup match against Peterborough, Everton was led by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman. Baines, a former Everton defender, now serves as the club's under-18s head coach, while Coleman is the team's captain. Peterborough plays in the third tier of English football.