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David Moyes says he always wanted to return to Everton and, despite considering retiring from management, he knew returning was an offer he couldn't refuse.
The Scot, 61, replaced Sean Dyche in the Goodison Park hotseat last week and revealed he came within inches of returning several times only for it to fail.
But Moyes, who spoke to Dyche about the job and the team, is now back at the club close to his heart and said on Monday: “I always had a hope and a feeling that someone would get me back.” I wanted to go back.
“I had agreed with (former owner) Farhad Moshiri and (late president) Bill Kenwright that I would be the manager in 2019, then Carlo (Ancelotti) was fired that night in Napoli. They changed their mind the next morning! I had many close situations.
“I think if people looked at David Moyes' career they would probably think 'Everton'. It was a long time ago (first arrival) and it's a different David Moyes coming back to Everton… but it's also a completely different Everton than “David Moyes returns.”
Moyes was dressed in a smart suit, but despite his formal appearance, he appeared relaxed and joked that there were “too many old faces, including mine” in the room at Finch Farm. He said he was “nervous” driving on his first day of training, but he's looking forward to doing it again.
David Moyes says he always wanted to return to Everton and that he failed in the past
He rejoins the Toffees 12 years after leaving to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
This time it is a 'different David Moyes' after experiences at Old Trafford, Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham
“I've had other opportunities to consider other jobs, quite a few since I left West Ham,” he said. 'But I always felt that if this job came up (and I didn't expect it to come up, I really didn't) it was too big an opportunity to turn down.
“The club now needs to be pointed in the right direction, putting itself in a place where you are not fighting from below all the time.” I told the players: “I'm not coming here to manage a team that's at the bottom of the league. I'm going to manage a team that's going to fight and challenge.”
“Part of it is: 'You players better come.' I have no doubt that the crowd, the people, Goodison, will play a part. The players have to do their part now and they have to show they can handle it.” “.
Moyes will take charge of his 519th game for Everton on Wednesday against Aston Villa at Goodison. He added: 'I had received a message asking me to come to a game before the season ended with my dad. I thought it would be great to get back to Goodison before (the stadium move).
“You have to remember that my family was very rooted in Everton. My children were small, my dad drank with all the kids on the street! Leaving was terrible because we were very close after 11 years.
'Now I have the opportunity to direct here again. I just have to make sure that when we leave Goodison and close the gate for the last time, we can all walk to the new stadium in the correct position.