David Moyes signed for Everton once again in January – almost 23 years to the day that he joined the club for the first time.
Then a young, aspiring coach at Goodison Park, David Moyes became the youngest boss in the Premier League at the age of just 39 – and immediately wowed Everton fans by qualifying for the Champions League within three years.
He’s back at Everton again, initially being tasked with the aim of keeping the club in the top-flight which he succeeded in, and now a top half finish is in his sights at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
And now, Everton News have compared the two starts he’s had in the blue half of Merseyside.
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How David Moyes did in his first spell as Everton boss
David Moyes joined Everton in March 2002 from Preston North End as an up and coming manager, and with nine games left in the season, Everton were just one point above the drop zone.
However, Moyes won four, drew one and lost four of their final nine fixtures to survive by just seven points, finishing as close to eighth as they did to 18th.
David Moyes on Everton’s European hopes
“I really hope I can earn the opportunity to get back into European football here at Everton.”
The following season was even better. Starting with just two wins from their opening seven games, Moyes then took Everton on a run of seven wins from eight to momentarily leave the Toffees in third in the table in late November.
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Although they could only muster a seventh-placed finish, Moyes’ opening 28 Premier League games as boss – the same amount as he’s had in his second spell – garnered 46 points.
David Moyes has done equally well in his second stint in the Toffees dugout
Then, in January 2025, David Moyes picked up the Everton job for the second time in his career.
Again, the Toffees were just one point above the drop zone after Sean Dyche was sacked, but a spirited run of unbeaten form dragged them to safety with ease.
Three wins from his opening four games saw the Toffees pick up breathing space, and from there, survival was plain sailing.
Although the current season hasn’t quite been as good as his second campaign in 2002-03, the Toffees finished the 2024-25 campaign in strong form, picking up 31 points.
And, with 15 so far this season, it means that in the opening 28 games of his Everton spells, Moyes has picked up 46 Premier League points in each period.
He’s been the steadying force that the Toffees needed – and if history repeats itself, Everton could feature in the Champions League yet again.