Everton confirm appointment of Sean Dyche replacement

Everton have confirmed the return of David Moyes as the permanent successor to departed manager Sean Dyche.

Moyes spent more than a decade at Everton, joining the club in March 2002 before leaving to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in the summer of 2013. The Toffees didn't win a trophy during the Scot's revered reign, but were rarely threatened with relegation and finished in the top five on three separate occasions.

In the 11-and-a-half years since Moyes' departure, Everton have climbed above seventh place just once. The last three campaigns have been spent battling the drop.

Dyche twice kept Everton in the top flight, but was sacked on Thursday afternoon, just three hours before the Merseyside club defeated Peterborough in the FA Cup third round. The club's new owners, The Friedkin Group, assumed majority ownership three weeks ago and have made their first major appointment.

"It's great to be back!" Moyes told the club's website. "I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn't hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club.

"I'm excited to be working with The Friedkin Group and I am looking forward to helping them rebuild the club.

"Now we need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in getting behind the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team."

The club's new executive chairman Marc Watts added: "We are pleased that David is joining us at this pivotal time in Everton's history. With over a decade of experience at the club, he is the right leader to propel us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium. We look forward to working with David to build the foundation of a new era for Everton."

Moyes will be chiefly focused on widening the gap between Everton and the relegation zone, which currently stands at just a single, perilous point.

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