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Football fans reacted with joy to the news of David Moyes' appointment as Everton manager, 12 years after he left Goodison Park to join Manchester United.
The Scot was confirmed as Sean Dyche's replacement on Saturday morning following the former Burnley manager's sacking just hours before the FA Cup third round match against Peterborough on Thursday.
Mail Sport revealed on Friday that the 61-year-old, who has held roles at United, Real Sociedad and West Ham since leaving the Toffees in 2013, was expected to sign terms running until June 2027.
Moyes has spent the last 48 hours working on the make-up of his backroom staff and will be joined at Goodison Park by long-term ally Billy McKinlay.
In stark contrast to many events in the sport, news of his appointment has been greeted with a groundswell of goodwill, with fans aligned in their belief that he will improve the team's fortunes.
“Good news. A club of Everton's stature should play in Europe every season and I think they will now,” wrote one user on X. Another said: “Although I probably wouldn't have sacked Dyche right now I think.” I think Moyes could be a good appointment. “It should stabilize the club at least in the short term.”
Specsavers account
Upon his return, Moyes said: 'It's fantastic to be back! I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and I didn't hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club.
“We now need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in supporting the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team.”
Dyche was sensationally sacked on Thursday, just hours before Everton's 2-0 win over Peterborough in the FA Cup third round.
There had been speculation all week about Dyche's position, fueled by Everton making an inquiry to Graham Potter's representatives on Monday at the time David Sullivan was interviewing the new West Ham manager to succeed Julen Lopetegui.
The Friedkin Group, whose acquisition of Farhad Moshiri was confirmed on December 19 last year, had been assessing the situation around Dyche (accelerated by last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth) and concerns were growing after a spell of one victory in 11 games.
Dyche is understood to have been close to leaving Everton on Wednesday night but reported to Finch Farm for a light training session on Thursday morning. There was an atmosphere of unease at the club and, four hours before kick-off, the decision was made to end his two-year reign.
There was not complete agreement among fans over Moyes' return to the Merseyside club, with one questioning the wisdom of replacing Dyche with the Scot.
—Is Moyes really a notable improvement over Dyche? They wrote in X.
But above all, the appointment appears to have struck a rather romantic chord with fans, many of whom witnessed Moyes' impressive first tenure and subsequent successes from the nadir of his career at Old Trafford.
The passionate post read: 'Welcome back Davey. It is destiny that brought you back. You were one of the old lady's favorite children until you turned your back on her. But she is forgiving and welcomes you with open arms. Your work is enormous. Give him the farewell he deserves. IMWT. UTFT.'