‘That’s not the pressure I want’, David Moyes opens up on Everton’s remarkable rise

Shumail SajidShumail Sajid
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  • Everton sit eighth in the table with 47 points.
  • Moyes joined Everton in January 2025 for his second spell.
  • Tells Carragher he never wants relegation to be a thing again.

David Moyes sat down with Jamie Carragher for an hour‑long conversation, and the Everton manager did not hold back. From the club’s transformation to his own return and the state of the Premier League, the Scot offered a candid assessment of where Everton stands and how far they have come.

When David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche 15 months ago, Everton were in massive trouble. They had won one of their previous 11 matches and sat a point above the bottom three. It was a devastating picture for the Merseyside club.

The fortunes have changed now. Everton are five points away from a Champions League spot, sitting in eighth and just one off Chelsea, who are sixth. If Moyes’s side can pull a miracle, no coach will have overseen such a massive improvement in 2026.

David Moyes: ‘I never want to be asked about relegation again’

Moyes reflected on the scale of the turnaround. Talking to Jamie Carragher on The Telegraph, Moyes said, “A year ago the boys were thinking, ‘Are we going to stay up?’ and were getting dog’s abuse from the supporters. Now they feel much better walking the streets.

“I said when I came back that I never want to be a manager of Everton getting asked about relegation ever again. That’s no fun. That’s not the pressure I want.”

He also revealed what convinced him to return in January 2025, with the club on the brink. “When the opportunity came around again, I was thinking, ‘Bloody hell, Everton are on the verge of relegation here.’ There had been a lot of good managers who had been here who had not been able to fix things. The one thing I knew I had in my favour was the knowledge of the club, of what the fans here demand and want.”

‘We have given ourselves a chance’

On Everton’s European ambitions, Moyes was pretty clear about the opportunity available. “We have seven games left – tough games – but we’ve given ourselves a chance. If we don’t do it, we’ll all be disappointed, although I know I will be able to say this season has not been bad, given where we have come from.

Asked if securing a European place would rank among his greatest coaching achievements, David Moyes agreed. “I would have to say yes, I think so. A year ago the boys were thinking, ‘Are we going to stay up?’ It would be some step for us to take.”

A gradual rebuild for Everton

David Moyes stressed that Everton are not a club that can spend like their richer rivals. “To me, this is a club that is better suited to being rebuilt gradually. We’re not Chelsea, Manchester City or Liverpool with lots of cash. Doing it step by step is the way for us.”

Moyes concluded with a warning and a promise. “If we do get to Europe there will be full houses here whoever we play.”

Everton fans will be eager to make David Moyes’s wish true with a packed and loud Hill Dickinson Stadium.

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Shumail Sajid is a dedicated and expert writer covering various teams, most recently, Everton, with a keen eye for team developments, match analysis, and the latest news. With three years of experience as a football writer, he provides interesting, insightful coverage that resonate with fans. Beyond writing, he is a passionate football follower, frequently attending matches and exploring football culture. Follow his work for in-depth yet fan-friendly analysis, and feel free to share your thoughts, even if you disagree! Connect with him on @shumail1434 on X

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