David Moyes issues Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne revelation at Everton
David Moyes reveals that he was given £5million a year to spend at Everton before agreeing a deal with Bill Kenwright.
The former Toffees manager stated that his side of the deal was that no players were to be sold without his approval and he was free to do whatever he wanted with his squad.
He also admits it was hard losing Paul Gascoigne and also raved about Wayne Rooney and the impact he had at Goodison Park.
Moyes told the Liverpool ECHO [19 September]: “When I was agreeing the deal, and it was actually in the Haydock Thistle Hotel, when Bill and I shook hands on a deal, Bill says: ‘David, I’m able to give you £5million a year to spend,’ and I said: ‘fine, but here’s my side of the deal, what I want.’
“My side of the deal was that you don’t sell any players without my approval and I can do anything I want with the players – I can take them to the best hotels, I can take them away – and we shook hands on that deal. So that was it.
“Paul (Gascoigne) was on his way out to Burnley, which was a nightmare for me. As I was introduced on the Thursday night, Gazza was going to sign for Burnley, who were due to play Preston (that Sunday).
“I didn’t want Gazza to play for Burnley against Preston. I was saying: ‘I’m going to have to keep Gazza here!’ They’d have gone mad at Preston if I’d have done it.
“Wayne was an unbelievable player so we don’t really need to mention that too much because everybody knows that. But I think how you handle any 16-year-old is very difficult.
“I’ve got to say that recently I had dinner with Wayne and he told me some unbelievable stories which if I think if was a manager now, I’d die if I heard them! I was really fortunate though and I remember Walter Smith saying to me: ‘you’re really lucky David, there’s a boy in the academy who’s a really good player, a boy called Wayne Rooney.’”
Everton fans will always fondly remember the memories from the David Moyes era
Moyes is fondly remembered at Goodison Park for his stellar management, particularly in nurturing young talents like Rooney.
The Scotsman recognised the England legend’s potential early on, integrating him into the first team at just 16 years old.
His approach involved not only tactical deployment but also a personal touch and it’s thus no surprise that the duo have still managed to stay good friends off the pitch.
Moyes provided the striker with the freedom to express himself on the pitch while also offering guidance off it, which was crucial for Rooney’s development.
The manager’s legacy at Goodison Park is also marked by his commitment to the club’s philosophy of developing youth and competing beyond the team’s financial means.
Given how things have transpired over the last decade or so, fans will be surely in awe of what he achieved given the constraints.
In other Everton news, Kevin Thelwell appears set to make a call on 21 September with Sean Dyche facing the sack at Goodison Park.
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