David Moyes is leading Everton into a new era at Hill Dickinson Stadium
David Moyes is leading Everton into a new era at Hill Dickinson Stadium
David Moyes collected his OBE this week. Officially it stands for ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire,’ but in the eyes of Blues it could also be ‘One Brilliant Evertonian.’
After Moyes returned to save the final season at Goodison Park, for the first time in years, there is now a sense of optimism around this venerable but venerable football institution. Now, and coming at a pivotal moment in the club’s history too, there is a chance to look forwards to the future with optimism and also a sense of belonging.
Fittingly, David William Moyes received his medal at Windsor Castle from the future king, the Prince of Wales, who is the biggest football man within the Royal Family as president of the Football Association and an active supporter of Aston Villa. Following the investiture, the pair chatted about the game, with Moyes revealing that His Royal Highness congratulated him on his successful return to Everton, while in turn he commented on how well Wills’ beloved Villa had done in recent years.
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Although they’ve gone about things in a different direction – bringing in an outsider as manager in Unai Emery and redeveloping their existing stadium – in many ways Villa, who are a similar-sized club of long-standing traditions, are an inspiration to the Blues when it comes to reviving their fortunes and challenging the Premier League’s established elite.
Thankfully, it doesn’t bear thinking about how long it would have taken them to come back if they had done and how bad things might have got on and off the pitch, Everton, unlike Villa, did not have to drop into the Championship before coming back stronger.
However, having made an inspired choice in the dugout when replacing Steven Gerrard with the Spaniard in October 2022, the West Midlands outfit have enjoyed a rapid rise.
This correspondent has long believed that the manager is the most-important individual at any football club and luckily for Everton’s new owners, The Friedkin Group, Moyes has come back not only older, but wiser.
Like the club’s most successful manager, County Durham-born Howard Kendall, who had previously been a title-winner with the Blues, before having three separate stints in the dugout, Moyes was not a boyhood Evertonian.
However, the man who hails from Glasgow, another similarly passionate football hotbed, was astute to the dynamics of the sport’s culture in this city from day one of his first tenure, aged just 38 when he was the Premier League’s youngest manager, he quickly observed that they were, in his eyes, ‘The People’s Club.’
While that remark got him onside with the fanbase from the start, he showed that he had much more in his locker than mere sound bites and slogans. Between 2002-13, Moyes would steer Everton to nine top-eight finishes, including a highest-ever Premier League position of fourth in 2004/05.
Everton manager David Moyes after being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire during an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on June 11, 2025 (Image: Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Given the messy mishmash of managers who have followed, having sacked Moyes’ successor Roberto Martinez less than three months after obtaining his controlling stake in the club, Farhad Moshiri would churn through eight bosses in as many years, you could even go as far as suggesting that the Scot has proven himself as the only man capable of managing Everton effectively in the modern era. You could even include Carlo Ancelotti, European football’s most decorated coach, among those who have failed to emulate him in the role.
In what was a cheap shot following his dismissal at Manchester United in April 2014, a certain bookmakers known for their publicity stunts – who were also understood to be behind the scythe-wielding spectator dressed as the Grim Reaper on Moyes’ Goodison return with the Red Devils – erected a mock statue of him outside Anfield with the inscription “For services to Liverpool Football Club.” The trolling across Stanley Park might continue from some but Evertonians recognise their manager’s true worth.
The challenge for the 62-year-old, who has managed more games in the competition than anyone else other than multiple title winners, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, is to use all that experience he has garnered through his subsequent highs and lows at Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham United (twice) since first departing Everton, to deliver the silverware that eluded him first time around.
While Moyes enjoyed more personal gongs in the shape of a hat-trick of LMA Manager of the Year awards in 2002/03; 2004/05 and 2008/09, he was tantalisingly unable to end the Blues’ wait for a major trophy.
He got that monkey off his back in spectacular fashion by ending a 43-year wait for West Ham when lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023. Although it’s still very early days for Moyes 2.0 at Everton, the move from Goodison Park, the club’s much-loved but no longer financially viable home for the past 133 years, to Hill Dickinson Stadium with TFG can ensure he is finally given the tools in the transfer market to fulfil what can hopefully be his destiny with the Blues.
Liverpool Business College announces Everton partnership
Liverpool Business College, which was established in 2024 and will officially open its doors in September this year to 50 students, has announced its partnership with Everton Football College. Footballers will play for Everton Football College full time while studying for a Pearson Level 3 Business Extended Diploma - the equivalent of three A Levels - at Liverpool Business College which is based on Chapel Street in Liverpool City Centre.
Created by Chief Executive Officer, James Quinn, a dad-of-three from Huyton, Liverpool Business College was launched when James’ son was searching for a place to study business and he became frustrated with the lack of innovation and real-world work experience offered by much larger colleges. The curriculum has been designed by entrepreneurs in the city for future entrepreneurs, with those involved from a variety of backgrounds and industries to provide a wide range of business knowledge.
Combining academic studies whilst specialising in providing real-world work experience, as well as exposing students to business masterclasses led by local entrepreneurs, Liverpool Business College is passionate about out-of-classroom learning where students can apply their knowledge and skills in real-life scenarios.
Liverpool Business College is teaming up with Everton Football College
James, 38, explained: “I studied Sports Coaching and was lucky enough to travel the world and coach at three Premier League Academies. But not everyone’s football dreams come into fruition and it’s becoming more and more competitive to reach the top level within the sport.
“At Liverpool Business College, students will take part in a full-time football programme with Everton Football College whilst studying Business with us where they’ll learn life skills and business knowledge. The partnership will allow young players to pursue their football ambitions whilst gaining a full Business Diploma.
“Students will have access to and benefit from a quality education offering and industry experience whilst studying at Liverpool Business College. In addition, students will have the opportunity to train several times per week and represent Everton Football College at international tours such as Dallas, New York, Chile and Spain.”
After coaching at Premier League Academies, James transitioned into Sports Education and has been a business owner for the last 19 years specialising in sports college provision and an independent higher education provider also specialising in degrees in Sports.
The partnership with Everton Football College will launch in the academic year of 2025/26 and initially, 10 students will study for a Business Diploma at Liverpool Business College.
James continued: “As a Liverpudlian who loves the city and a business owner for almost two decades, I’m incredibly passionate about helping the next generation and providing a platform for young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions.
“Liverpool Business College has been created to do just that; giving students the knowledge to apply to real-world experiences. Our mission is to turn business passions into real-life success.”
Carl Giles, Assistant Head at Everton Football College, added: “We're delighted to partner with Liverpool Business College this September. This collaboration directly responds to our students' aspirations and local economic needs, and will be key in developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to excel in the Professional and Business Services sector.”