As the first anniversary of his emotional return to Goodison Park approaches, Everton manager David Moyes is defiantly focusing on the future, insisting his ambition to lead the club back into European competition remains undimmed.
Anniversary arrives amid testing period
This Sunday marks twelve months since the Scot answered the call to return to the club he managed for over eleven years. The milestone arrives during a challenging spell, with the team winning just once in their last six outings and preparing for an FA Cup third-round tie against Sunderland with eight senior players unavailable.
The recent absences of key figures like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye, and Idrissa Gueye have exposed the squad's limitations. This was compounded by the suspension of defender Michael Keane, whose red card against Wolves prompted a characteristically fiery reaction from Moyes, proving the 62-year-old's passion burns as brightly as ever.
Progress made and European dreams alive
Despite the current frustrations, Moyes is keen to provide perspective. He highlights the progression from the precarious situation he inherited – the club was just one point above the relegation zone – to a more stable mid-table position and the historic move to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
"I hope that the year has looked like a progression," Moyes stated. "My dream is that we can be close enough at the end to challenge for a European spot."
He draws parallels with his achievement at West Ham, transforming a relegation-threatened side into European regulars. "It will be amazing for Everton supporters when they get the chance to get back to Europe again," he added, acknowledging the scale of the jump but emphasising his desire to be ambitious and champion the club's positives.
Building blocks for a sustainable future
The longer-term rebuild extends beyond the pitch. Moyes acknowledges that restoring the club's academy production line, depleted during Farhad Moshiri's tenure due to Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR), will take years. The new ownership, The Friedkin Group, has begun implementing a fresh football structure, including a revamped recruitment department.
"The club is starting to get itself back together," Moyes said, outlining his aims for the next year. He expressed a desire to see Everton's youth teams thriving again and believes the new stadium's revenue streams will be crucial in building a competitive squad sustainably.
Having signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, Moyes has no intention of matching his previous lengthy tenure but is committed to the project. "This has been good for me. It has made me go again," he confessed, revealing that only the Everton offer could lure him back to Premier League management after turning down other approaches.
As Everton face Sunderland, the FA Cup represents a precious opportunity to inject momentum and joy into a season where the long wait for silverware continues. For Moyes, the mission is clear: to keep pushing the positives and lay the foundations for a brighter future at the new home on the banks of the Mersey.
