The coming of age for Everton and David Moyes

When then Preston boss; David Moyes was offered the Everton job ten years ago, a lot of people warned him to stay away, calling it a dead end due to the club’s eventual relegation.

Moyes saw a sleeping giant and disregarded the advice.

Two days later, he grabbed his first win for the Toffees and in due time, they managed to rally around and stay in the Premiership. That was 2002.

Now Moyes, being of the longest serving managers in the league; just behind Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, runs a team that has the potential of being a giant killer.

Currently sitting in 10th position, Everton had maintained its mid table presence consistently ever since he had taken over, occasionally dropping down to the last five. On the other hand, under him they had also managed to achieve the significant 4th position in the Premier League (04-05) and the last 16 of UEFA CUP (07-08).

Where clubs in the same frame of mind as Everton, are sacking their managers throughout the season, due to inability to pursue a higher ambition, he has preserved his place. Most important of all is that, the ex Scottish footballer is doing so under a limited budget, the pressure of performing and his team being slashed apart season after season by his “richer” compatriots.

No wonder that this perseverance of his, has gained him the recognition as one of the best managers of his generation, by many of his peers.

His shrewdness and acumen as a manager was noticed with the players he had bought. One of his best signings would no doubt be the talismanic Australian – Tim Cahill (£1.5 M). He has had other notable eye for talent as well, bringing in stars such as Nigel Martyn, Phil Neville, Tim Howard, Mikael Arteta, Leighton Baines and most recently young Seamus Coleman for £150,000. Now, we all know that he is a star in the making.

Moyes’s ability to manage the players breaking their way through the youth system has not gone unnoticed either. Since the introduction of 17-year-old Wayne Rooney in 2002, he has shown his good judgment and faith in young blood.

Getting to the point, the fact is that each club in the Premier League realizes the potential of Everton under David Moyes. It’s just a matter of time on how they break their status as a mid table team.

Till then, kudos to you Mr. Moyes.

We can always count on the testament that when the going gets tough, he will always remember when he first arrived at the club 10 years ago.