David Moyes makes honest admission on Everton return as TFG talks revealed
David Moyes has admitted that his return to Everton came out of the blue as he was not expecting Sean Dyche to be sacked.
Talking to the press ahead of his first game back in charge at Goodison Park, Moyes revealed that the move came about “really quick”, with talks gathering pace on Tuesday and Wednesday (7 and 8 January).
The veteran tactician, who also disclosed that Marc Watts travelled to England to meet him this week on The Friedkin Group’s behalf after initial talks over video calls, added that he did not anticipate Dyche’s exit as he thought the manager was doing a good job at the Merseyside-based club.
“It was really quick, Tuesday and Wednesday when I first got a call to see there could be a change… up until that point I had no idea”, Moyes told a press conference, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo (13 January).
“I thought Sean [Dyche] was doing a really good job and I wasn’t expecting any changes materialising at the time.”
David Moyes makes Sean Dyche revelation at Everton
Moyes showed his class by mentioning Dyche’s work at Everton in his first press conference after returning to the club.
However, it is no surprise that the former Burnley manager was relieved of his duties as the Toffees are placed 16th in the Premier League after 19 games, sitting just a point above the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand.
Furthermore, it appeared that Dyche had downed tools in his final weeks in charge of the Blues, telling the Friedkins that he had taken the team as far as he could [Phil McNulty].
The new owners were, therefore, left with no option but to sack the 53-year-old.
They had held talks with Graham Potter in previous days, but saw him take up the head coach job at West Ham United.
Therefore, Dan Friedkin and Co quickly turned their attention towards Moyes, who had been without a job since leaving the Hammers at the end of last season.
The Scot had said that he would not join a club fighting relegation, but has evidently made an exception for Everton.
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