David Moyes says he is proud to have managed 592 Everton matches and equal Harry Catterick’s club record, but admits he wanted to add a trophy to the achievement.
Moyes reached the landmark against Coventry City, completing a remarkable journey that began in 2002 when Everton were 16th in the Premier League and had just been knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough. The club had finished in the bottom half in 10 of the previous 11 seasons.
Everton then finished outside the top half only once during Moyes’ first 11 seasons. They played in Europe for four seasons, reached an FA Cup final and finished above Liverpool three times.
“I am very proud when I think that I will be the manager who has managed the most games for Everton,” Moyes told the club’s official matchday programme. “I really hope to add trophies to this record.”
Moyes said his first spell had been achieved without the financial resources available to Catterick.
“When I became manager, Bill Kenwright told me: ‘We don’t have much money, David. I can give you £5m a year,’” he said. “I accepted as long as I could manage the players as I saw fit and provide the best facilities.”
He recalled the team’s Champions League qualification, Duncan Ferguson’s goal against Manchester United, David Unsworth’s early strike against Fulham and a dramatic European victory over Fiorentina at Goodison Park. Everton were eventually eliminated on penalties after beating Fiorentina 2-0 in the second leg.
Moyes said he was particularly proud that players including Phil Jagielka, John Stones, Joleon Lescott and Leighton Baines later represented England. Tim Cahill became an Australia World Cup legend, while Seamus Coleman earned 81 Republic of Ireland caps, many as captain. Moyes described goalkeeper Nigel Martyn as “probably our best signing”.
Before becoming a manager, Moyes played more than 600 matches, won the Scottish League with Celtic FC in 1981-82 and represented the Scotland youth and student teams. He gained his coaching qualifications twice, first in Scotland and then at Lilleshall in England.
“I got my coaching badges when I was about 21, purely to try and become a better player,” he said.
Billy McNeill, his manager at Celtic FC, was an early influence, alongside Terry Cooper, Iain Munro, John Beck, his father, Andy Roxburgh, Walter Smith and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Smith later encouraged Moyes to accept the Everton job, telling him: “You must take this job, it’s a great job.” He also pointed out a promising youth player: Wayne Rooney.
Moyes’ first Everton match was against Fulham. Unsworth scored after 32 seconds and Ferguson added another before Thomas Gravesen was sent off. Everton held on for Moyes’ first of 246 wins.
After leaving in 2013, Moyes returned in January 2025 with Everton one point above relegation. He guided them to nine unbeaten matches, including a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, and helped them challenge for European qualification in his first full season back.
“I did it at West Ham United,” said Moyes, who won the Europa Conference League with the club. “I dream of doing that with Everton as well.”
