Michael Kenrick 23/05/2026 7comments  |  Jump to last

David Moyes acknowledges the few fans remaining after Everton's embarrassing loss to Sunderland
(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

In The Guardian today, David Moyes says Everton need “a big summer” when the club’s owners must show the ambition to push the team forward.

The Everton manager admitted he is despondent over a poor end to the season that has squandered the opportunity to qualify for Europe and demonstrated a lack of quality in the squad. “It’s shown it only takes a couple of your better players to lose form and your results can change,” he said.

But having competed at the right end of the table for the first time in several years, Moyes believes The Friedkin Group’s next moves will determine how far the team can progress.

“A big summer might mean that we just make one really top signing that makes the difference to the team, it doesn’t necessarily mean we go out and buy six players,” said Moyes.

“As a football club we need to show it [ambition]. I want the ownership to show that we are going again. I hope we can add to what we have got and excite the supporters a little bit more with what we are trying to do.

“I know that Everton fans have had too many dark days over recent seasons. This season showed a little bit of brightness. We have to build on that. We have to keep progressing and not thinking that we have done enough because we are not in relegation trouble.

“I am confident the owners will help us to get the next piece of the jigsaw. We are not a club to go and spend, as some other clubs do, £200M-£300M. We don’t have that. We will need to dodge and weave a bit and hopefully make the right choices.”

With regard to Sunday's final challenge of the season, Moyes had this to say:

“Look, I would love to keep West Ham in the league if I can do but it is more important that I get Everton that top-half finish and we get a few more million pounds because of the league position,” he said. “We have to try and finish as high as we possibly can but I really do hope West Ham stay up.

“I will not be turning up at Tottenham with kids and trialling players to give them an opportunity to show what they can do. They have had that opportunity during the season to show me whether they are ready to play or not. We are only going to Tottenham with a focus of trying to get a result.”

 

Quotes sourced from The Guardian

Reader Comments (7)

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Kevin Molloy
1 Posted 23/05/2026 at 11:44:23
From Moyes's comments in The Guardian today, where he calls on the Friedkins to 'show some ambition' and sympathises with Evertonians recent travails, I'm almost certain he flagged to the management earlier this year that he expected this sort of fall off with the squad if there was no investment in January, and was obviously denied that opportunity.

And I think that explains Angus's hamfisted defence of the current arrangement, cos he knows he's implicated.
Tony Abrahams
2 Posted 23/05/2026 at 12:20:19
Interesting that, Kevin.

I had the same feeling in January, I could definitely see an opportunity to go and challenge for Europe or, if we were brave enough, maybe even the Champions League.

This was after we had won at Nottm Forest with a squad that was down to its very bare bones with players like Dibling, Rohl, McNeil and Patterson all starting.

When we never went and signed a few players early in that window, my initial thoughts were that it was shortsighted and unprofessional, but others felt differently and were more interested in the long-term plan that the silent Friedkins allegedly possess.

Maybe it would have looked different if Moyes was prepared to keep using these other players more regularly, but when he never did, the only conclusion that you could really come to was that something wasn't quite right behind the scenes.

Did Moyes get told that he had some good young players that he was refusing to play? Or did he just get told there was no money for more players?

Either way, by the owners not being prepared to buy more players, or the manager not being prepared to use more players, then this showed a degree of shortsightedness and gave a picture that things were not quite aligned behind the scenes.
Kevin Molloy
3 Posted 23/05/2026 at 12:41:30
Tony yes, and Moyes's confidence in effectively calling out the owners here indicates he feels confident this is all on them. I reckon he was asking for a proper right back. And Angus in his wisdom was pointing out 'you never get good value in January'. And so they passed.
John Collins
4 Posted 23/05/2026 at 13:03:45
Calling out the owners?

Where has he done that Kevin?
Christy Ring
5 Posted 23/05/2026 at 13:07:33
If West Ham are relegated, we should try and sign Fernandes, can’t believe Martinez left him out of the Portugal World Cup squad. The player’s were been linked with has me worried. I know Moyes love’s experienced players, but it would be ridiculous if he brings in Soucek, Stones, and unbelievable Trippier linked at 35 years of age? Delap linked as well, he was shown around Hill Dickinson but opted for Chelsea, leave him there. In his few games for Chelsea, he’s been sent off and booked in most games, has a nasty streak and no discipline whatsoever, against Spurs on Tuesday night he got yellow instead of red, for elbow on Spence, who has a broken jaw?
Kevin Molloy
6 Posted 23/05/2026 at 13:13:54
you don't think 'the Friedkins need to show some ambition' is calling out the owners John?
Jimmy Salt
7 Posted 23/05/2026 at 13:24:52
Ouch, ouch, ouch, pesky glass ceiling.

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