Everton had plans to re-appoint David Moyes as manager before they changed their mind and pursued Carlo Ancelotti, freeing the Scot up to sign for West Ham, where he’s enjoyed huge success
The Scot led the Toffees for over a decade having taken charge initially in 2002, turning the Merseysiders into one of the Premier League’s most consistent outfits. He found himself out of a job though in 2019, when both Everton and the Hammers were looking for managers.
Moyes was in Germany with Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri when David Sullivan rang to discuss the possibility of moving to the London Stadium. The 60-year-old was poised for a Goodison Park return until Napoli axed Carlo Ancelotti and Everton wanted to show their ambition with a huge appointment.
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As a result, Moyes got back on the phone to Sullivan and a conversation about the West Ham job quickly saw him sign with the Hammers. He previously told beinSPORT: “When I was being offered the West Ham job, I had actually been in Germany with Farhad Moshiri to take the Everton job.
“The phone rang, and it was David Sullivan – in the middle of the meeting with Everton. I had to say, ‘I can’t speak just now’. But Carlo Ancelotti was sacked by Napoli that night, and they changed tack, even though I was due to sign the day before – I had told David. But the next day Everton didn’t make more contact, so I phoned David and said, ‘If it’s still there’, and it couldn’t have gone better – it was the right choice.”
Moyes has led the Hammers impressively, leading them to successive top-seven finishes as they threatened to gate-crash the top-four party. Last term, despite a drop off in the Premier League, they claimed European honours in the form of the Europa Conference League.
Everton were pursuing David Moyes until Carlo Ancelotti became available
Everton were pursuing David Moyes until Carlo Ancelotti became available
Everton meanwhile have struggled to settle on a manager since turning their back on Moyes and going after Ancelotti. The Italian produced some promising results in his first full season but left when Real Madrid came knocking.
Since then the club appointed Rafa Benitez, who lasted a matter of months, before then turning to Frank Lampard. He kept the Toffees afloat initially but was axed the following season with the club starring relegation in the face before Sean Dyche’s rescue job.
This term Moyes has got West Ham off to a positive start whilst Everton are expected to be among the strugglers. The Toffees continue to be linked with a potential takeover, but now face the threat of a points deduction.
