Everton owners The Friedkin Group will be, I’m sure, pondering a number of big questions as the inaugural season at Hill Dickinson stadium nears its end.
Seven crucial Premier League games to go – and that tag certainly applies to the next two in particular – which will shape the decision-making process at the club amid the backdrop of a World Cup summer break.
For me, regardless of what the final league position reads as, there is one decision that should already be made, decided on and in motion as I write. I’m talking of course about a new contract for manager David Moyes, who has a year left on his current deal after signing an initial two and a half year contract following the departure of Sean Dyche.
Moyes’ current deal expires next year… 🤔
Everton manager David Moyes.
Alan Myers says new David Moyes contract would be an ‘important boost ahead of the league run-in’
It is inconceivable to think any other path would be considered after what the Scotsman has achieved in his second spell at the club. TFG like to keep their cards close to their chest, and I’m all for that from a fan point of view, it’s the way to do business. However, I do believe it’s time to announce their plans for the 62-year-old – to give an important boost ahead of the league run-in, and to send a further message of stability.
Moyes has been everything I thought he would be since he came back to Everton. He was exactly the right choice at a time when the club needed controlling, guiding and leadership.
I read with interest in the ‘Vacancies’ section of the club’s website the advertisement for the role of ‘Men’s First Team Football Strategy Analyst’. What that is, I have no idea whatsoever to be honest, but what I do know is that David Moyes is about culture, about coaching and about motivating.
I’d said for a long time that I thought the club needed discipline again – for a long time it didn’t feel like a serious football club. It felt at times that it was a free-for-all, posturing from all and sundry trying to grab any bit of control they could. That has changed in my opinion, it feels like a club together again, with one goal: winning.
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Of course this season has had its ups and downs, and that’s expected when so much has changed. I say we probably haven’t seen the last of that just yet, but I’ve always felt when I go to any club you can almost smell a culture, you instinctively feel when things are right or wrong. Right now, Everton feels right.
In Moyes’s first spell at the club, he more often than not achieved good things, built some good sides, and despite a lack of silverware, he had the team competing at the right end of the table more than the wrong end.
How would you feel about Wayne Rooney joining Moyes’ staff at Everton? 🤔
Everton icon Wayne Rooney.
He was always restricted financially at that time, the club survived month by month, season by season. He had to spend money like it was his own. And while we don’t fully know the recruitment processes at the club, Moyes will have more money to spend during his second tenure.
He is the right man to lead Everton through the next few years, of that I have no doubt. This is an evolutionary process and he is a crucial first cog in that. Where it goes beyond Moyes is something for another time, the owners will have that at the back of their minds no doubt, but right now there is only one direction to go.
The Friedkin Group must address potential Everton and Roma European competition issue
Another issue for the owners is that of the multi-club model and its potential obstacles.
The ‘Everton/Roma in the same competition’ issue is on the minds of most supporters and not just Evertonians. I cannot believe for a second that they haven’t addressed this both internally and with UEFA, as it’s becoming more likely with each passing week.
There can be no excuses for any lack of understanding following the Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest debacle, that has served as an instructors’ manual for any clubs finding themselves in this position. I know many would like to hear from the club to get some more clarity as to where Everton stands on the issue. I get the cautious approach with regards to talking about something that hasn’t been achieved yet, but it’s of real concern for the fans and I think they would appreciate some peace of mind.
During this current deficiency of Everton action – three weeks seems an eternity – there is a chance to take a breath, recharge any low batteries and also address matters off the pitch of which there will be plenty. The final push will be on before we know it, and it will be relentless, I’m hoping we may be a bit more informed by the time the players take to the field at the Gtech Community Stadium on April 11th.
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