He's been here before, literally and metaphorically. 'David Moyes, Everton manager' is a title he and we know well and the feelings he had 23 years ago will be just as familiar when the second act begins.
When the call came in March 2002, Moyes, then 38, managing Preston and burning with intensity, did not hesitate to say yes to Bill Kenwright. He continued a scouting mission to see Nathan Ellington, a Bristol Rovers striker, to meet the late Everton chairman at his London home.
He had no doubt as he headed back down the M6 that Everton was his club, but the further he drove in the early hours, one thought kept nagging at him, like a dull toothache: don't be the man. to take them down.
Everton, as now, is 16th in the Premier League. Moyes, whose demeanor then could easily be described as “icy”, claimed a 2-1 win in his first game against Fulham and the tide began to turn.
Over the next 11 years, Moyes, with an excellent backroom team and Kenwright's unwavering support, did everything he could to help Everton win a trophy. With a bit of luck in the 2009 FA Cup final against Chelsea, even that would have been achieved.
You might think, then, that his re-election has been met with unanimous approval, as in 2002, but it is fair to say that there is a section of fans who are not enthusiastic about the prospect of a 61-year-old asking to usher in a new era.
David Moyes has returned to Everton as manager after his previous 11-year spell in charge.
Moyes has been appointed Everton manager after the club parted ways with Sean Dyche
Moyes' first task will be to get Everton out of the Premier League relegation zone
Those are the people who were hurt by Moyes canceling his contract in 2013 before heading to Manchester United. Evertonians have long memories and are some of the most difficult people to win over in football.
Those who doubt should know that the second chapter begins driven by the same “fear” of disappointing and tearing them down. He knows, better than anyone, what a calamity it would be if Everton finished this season in the bottom three, but of course he won't allow it.
There is also a sense of unfinished business. In December 2019, Moyes thought he would be re-elected by Farhad Moshiri, after meeting the former Everton owner at his Munich castle, but lost out at the last minute to Carlo Ancelotti.
Moyes, who was announced as Sean Dyche's successor at 9am on the club's website, was not at Finch Farm on Saturday. Instead, training was overseen by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, the full-backs he signed as pups in 2007 and 2009.
Moyes will be assisted by Billy McKinlay, Baines and Alan Irvine, who also returns to the club where he played and helped Moyes in his first spell.
“It's fantastic to be back,” said Moyes, who hopes to add pace to the team during this transfer window. “I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and I didn't hesitate when they offered me the opportunity to rejoin this great club.
“I am excited to be working with the Friedkin Group and look forward to helping them rebuild the 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.”
There is a sense of unfinished business for Moyes at Goodison Park on his return to Everton.
Moyes returns having achieved European trophy success during his time at West Ham.
Moyes previously spent an impressive 11 years at Everton before leaving to join Man United.
Moyes has signed a deal until June 2027. The Friedkin Group, whose purchase of Everton was confirmed before Christmas, wasted no time in making changes after listening to Dyche, who had grown tired of some challenging circumstances.
Although they considered opting for Graham Potter, TFG are convinced that the first big decision over their ownership will pay dividends and that Moyes' vast experience – he has managed more than 1,000 games – will be crucial in putting Everton on a more stable footing.
“We are delighted to have David join us at this crucial time in Everton's history,” said Everton Chief Executive Marc Watt.
“He is the right leader to drive us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium.”