Moyes: I have never spoken directly with the owner; I would not have returned if it were not Everton

According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton manager David Moyes revealed that since returning to the club in January 2025, he has never had a direct conversation with club owner Friedkin Group CEO Dan Friedkin. After a difficult summer transfer window, Moyes said that although the squad is thinner than ideal, he still hopes to continue leading Everton forward.

Speaking about his communication with the Friedkin Group, Moyes said: “The person I have direct contact with is Angus (Everton CEO Angus Kinnear). If I need to speak to someone, I go to Angus. After that is Rishi (Friedkin Group representative Rishi Majithia), and above that is the person in charge of the Friedkin family in America. I do not actually communicate with them directly, but I communicate through Rishi, who is the person I would contact.”

Moyes made the comments after Everton went through a turbulent transfer window. The club lost players including Iliman Ndiaye, Beto, Nathan Patterson and Tim Iroegbunam in the final stages, while Adam Aznou left on loan. Although Jack Grealish returned on loan from Manchester City and Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ arrival ended the club’s long search for a right-back, Balogun’s transfer ultimately collapsed due to issues related to the medical examination. Moyes was left with only 18 first-team outfield players.

Discussing the transfer window as a whole, Moyes said: “Overall, it was a very difficult transfer window. I know what happened in the final days, but the whole window had actually been difficult for us. The final two days were especially tough because we were trying to push deals forward. On the bank holiday Monday, we submitted offers for several players, and it was hard to believe that things ended up the way they did.”

“A lot of things did not develop according to our plan, but perhaps we should not have left things so late. Maybe we should have completed this work earlier.”

Asked whether this had made his coaching job more difficult, Moyes said: “Listen, I think the Everton job has always been difficult, and this club has become used to going through difficult periods. I can understand the difficulties Dyche and many of the managers before him experienced at different times.”

“It will be difficult going forward. Our squad is not large; it is not the number we ideally wanted, but sometimes in football you need to do something special, and we will try to do something special.”

“I have never liked having a particularly large squad. I have always preferred a smaller squad, but perhaps not as small as it is now.”

Despite this, Moyes said he still wants to remain at Everton because he has a special connection with the club.

He said: “Everton is different. If it was not Everton, I would not have come back. I think this club has been through many days like this in the past, and the people here always find a way to get back on their feet.”

“Last week everyone saw what Everton supporters are really like. That kind of strength can be very powerful. I hope they can continue to show that strength now, but give that strength to the team and the players.”

“We need the fans to give us more support now because our squad is genuinely thin, so we need them. If they are not with us, the situation will be very bad. But they are with us, and I believe they are with us.”

Moyes also said he would not use the outcome of the transfer window as an excuse for future results.

He said: “My aim is to keep the team as close as possible to the level we have worked to reach over the past few seasons. I know some things will affect us, and there will certainly be some matches that we do not handle well.”

“But one thing will not happen, and that is me making every effort not to find any excuses for what has already happened. The players fully understand this as well.”

“The players cannot make excuses about what we have and what we still lack. There are two or three players who may be mentioned regularly, and now they have to step up. Everyone must become someone who can truly take responsibility and see whether they can handle the demands that come with playing for this football club.”

Speaking about why he is still willing to continue managing Everton, Moyes said: “Personally, this is a fantastic job. I have always loved Everton.”

“Over the past year, this job has actually brought my energy back. Before returning, I may have been thinking that I would not manage a club again, or that I might coach a national team, or do something else.”

“But I genuinely think we have done well together over the past year and a half. If you look back at that period, I think there have definitely been more positive things than negative things.”

“Now, we have simply encountered a small bump in the road. I need to get over it as quickly as possible and then start finding ways to make everything run smoothly again.”