Everton news: Opinion – Securing safety this season ‘only the beginning’ for David Moyes

David Moyes cut an incredibly calm figure meeting me inside Finch Farm this week. He had just come in from training and was sipping a brew before explaining how he was not as composed in the first few days of his return to Everton.

The manager knows the achievements from his first tenure in charge are on the line. They include consistent top-half Premier League finishes, with fourth place in 2004-05, and runners-up in the FA Cup in 2009. He admitted having some sleepless nights worrying that relegation during his second stint would tarnish his record.

But given the Toffees have had to brave three relegation battles in a row, Moyes has managed to ensure Goodison Park’s final season goes out having all but mathematically secured safety with seven games left.

However, that is only the beginning.

Under new owners the Friedkin Group, the Blues need a radical overhaul and Moyes is ready for it. He knows they cannot repeat past mistakes by overspending and buying players that do not work.

Moyes’ plan to next focus on the academy to become a successful production line and with an ambition to be fighting for the European places next season, it looks like the manager will be going without a full night’s sleep for some time yet.

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