David Moyes is a Scottish professional football manager and former player who currently serves as the manager of Premier League club Everton as of January 2026. Having returned to Goodison Park in January 2025 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, Moyes is currently leading the “Toffees” through a historic transition period, including their final season at the iconic Goodison Park and the upcoming move to the state-of-the-art Bramley-Moore Dock stadium. With over 1,100 senior matches managed, he remains one of the most experienced figures in world football, trailing only Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson in total Premier League games overseen. His career is distinguished by a major European trophy—the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League with West Ham United—and three LMA Manager of the Year awards. This comprehensive guide details his tactical evolution, his record-breaking stints across the UK and Europe, and his current mission to restore Everton’s status as a Premier League powerhouse.
Current Role: Everton Return (2025–2026)
David Moyes officially rejoined Everton FC on January 11, 2025, succeeding Sean Dyche. His return was orchestrated by The Friedkin Group (TFG) to provide stability and “restore lost values” as the club prepares for its stadium move. As of January 19, 2026, Moyes has managed 45 games in this second stint, maintaining a win percentage of approximately 40% and guiding the team to mid-table security.
In the current January 2026 transfer window, Moyes has been vocal about the need for squad reinforcements, admitting that Everton “need players more than ever” due to a heavy injury list and international absences. He is currently navigating a selection crisis with eight senior stars unavailable, including key defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye.
West Ham Legacy: European Glory
Moyes’ second spell at West Ham United (2019–2024) is widely considered his greatest managerial triumph. He took a team battling relegation and transformed them into consistent European contenders, achieving two consecutive top-seven finishes. The pinnacle of this era was the 7th of June, 2023, when West Ham defeated Fiorentina 2-1 to lift the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy.
This victory ended a 43-year trophy drought for the Hammers and solidified Moyes’ status as a club legend. Under his guidance, players like Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice reached elite levels, benefiting from Moyes’ structured defensive system and clinical counter-attacking transitions.
Tactical Philosophy: The Moyes Method
David Moyes is renowned for his “reactive” tactical approach, often tailoring his side’s setup to nullify the specific strengths of the opposition. He typically employs a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formation, emphasizing defensive compactness and narrow banks of four to limit space between the lines.
Key Tactical Pillars:
- The “People’s Club” Work Ethic: He demands high physical output and “honest” defensive work from his attackers.
- Overlapping Width: His systems frequently utilize attacking full-backs (notably Leighton Baines at Everton and Vladimir Coufal at West Ham) to create 2v1 situations in wide areas.
- Segmented Training: Moyes is famous for dividing his training pitch into 24 squares to coach specific positional responsibilities during transitions.
The Manchester United “Chosen One” Era
In 2013, Moyes was hand-picked by Sir Alex Ferguson to succeed him at Manchester United. However, the tenure lasted only 10 months. Despite winning the FA Community Shield in his first match, he faced immense pressure and a squad in need of significant overhaul. He was relieved of his duties in April 2014 with United sitting 7th in the Premier League.
Analysts often view this period as a “impossible task,” where the structural rot at the club began to show. Despite the criticism, Moyes’ win percentage at Old Trafford (52.94%) remains higher than several of his successors, including Louis van Gaal and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Managerial Statistics and Honours
Career Record (as of Jan 2026)
| Club | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
| Preston North End | 234 | 112 | 60 | 62 | 47.86% |
| Everton (1st Stint) | 518 | 218 | 139 | 161 | 42.08% |
| Manchester United | 51 | 27 | 9 | 15 | 52.94% |
| Real Sociedad | 42 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 28.57% |
| Sunderland | 43 | 8 | 7 | 28 | 18.60% |
| West Ham (Total) | 262 | 112 | 55 | 95 | 42.75% |
| Everton (2nd Stint) | 45 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 40.00% |
Major Honours
- UEFA Europa Conference League: 2022–23
- FA Community Shield: 2013
- Football League Second Division: 1999–2000
- LMA Manager of the Year: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2008–09
Practical Information for Fans
Visiting Goodison Park (Final Season)
- Tickets: Prices for the 2025/26 season range from £40 to £65 for adults, though availability is extremely limited due to high demand for the “Final Farewell” campaign.
- Transport: Take the Northern Line to Kirkdale Station or use the “Soccerbus” from Sandhills Station.
- Stadium Tours: Tours are currently running daily (except matchdays) to celebrate the history of the ground before the move.
2026 Matchday Experience
Expect a high-intensity atmosphere as Moyes’ sides are known for their “dogged” determination. In 2026, Everton often utilizes a mid-block defense at home, looking to hit teams on the break through the pace of their wingers and the physical presence of striker Beto.
The Real Sociedad Experiment (2014–2015)
In November 2014, David Moyes surprised the football world by moving to La Liga to manage Real Sociedad. This “experiment” was a deliberate attempt to broaden his tactical horizons and shed the “British-only” manager tag. His tenure in San Sebastián began spectacularly with a 1–0 victory over Luis Enrique’s Barcelona in January 2015, a result that remains one of the most famous in the club’s modern history.
However, the “La Real” diaries eventually ended in frustration due to a significant language barrier and a cultural clash regarding training intensity. While Moyes improved the team’s defensive structure, the Basque side struggled for goals, and he was relieved of his duties in November 2015. Despite the outcome, Moyes often cites this period as essential for his tactical development, particularly in learning how to counter more technical, possession-based Spanish systems.
The Sunderland Nadir: A Career Low
The most challenging chapter of Moyes’ career came at Sunderland (2016–2017). Taking over from Sam Allardyce, who had just left for the England job, Moyes inherited a squad with “quicksand foundations.” He famously stated early in the season that the club was in a relegation battle, a blunt honesty that polarized the fanbase and was later blamed for lowering morale.
Sunderland was relegated in May 2017, ending their 10-year stay in the Premier League. Moyes described the relegation as his “worst day in football,” admitting that he had not done enough “due diligence” before accepting the role. This period served as a significant reality check, forcing a three-year hiatus from permanent management before his successful redemption at West Ham.
The “Moyes Blueprint” in Scottish Coaching
Beyond his club roles, David Moyes is a central figure in the Scottish FA’s long-term strategic vision. Having taken his coaching badges at just 22, Moyes is a “coach’s coach,” often returning to Largs to deliver masterclasses to the next generation of Scottish managers. His emphasis on “horizontal and vertical compactness” and his “segmenting” of the training pitch have become staples of the Scottish coaching curriculum.
In 2026, his influence is seen in the high number of Scottish managers operating in the English pyramid. Moyes advocates for a “pragmatic modernism”—teams that are tactically disciplined and physically robust but utilize high-tech GPS and video analysis to gain fractional advantages.
Tactical Evolution: From 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1
While often labeled a “traditionalist,” Moyes’ tactical setup has evolved significantly over 25 years. At Preston and early Everton, he was a proponent of the 4-4-2 with overlapping full-backs. However, by the time of his 2026 return to Everton, he has mastered the 4-2-3-1, using two “sitting” midfielders to shield the defense while allowing a “number 10” and wide inside-forwards to rotate.
2026 Tactical Features:
- The “Controlled Press”: Unlike the high-octane “Gegenpress,” Moyes utilizes a mid-block trigger. Pressing only begins once the opponent enters the middle third, forcing them into wide areas where they can be doubled up on.
- Set-Piece Specialism: In the 2025/26 season, Everton ranks in the top five for goals from corners, a direct result of Moyes’ meticulous “zonal and man-marking” combination routines.
- Verticality: Moyes values “verticality” over “sterile possession.” His teams aim to bypass midfield pressure via quick, vertical passes into channels for runners like Dwight McNeil.
Practical Information: Contract and Net Worth
2026 Financial Snapshot
- Contract Status: Re-signed with Everton on Jan 11, 2025; expires June 2027.
- Current Salary: Estimated at £3.5 million per year plus bonuses for Premier League survival and cup progress.
- Estimated Net Worth: Approximately £20 million, built through decades of top-flight salaries and media work for BBC and TalkSport.
Legacy at Goodison Park
As Everton prepares to move to the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium in late 2026, Moyes is effectively the “bridge” between the club’s past and future. Fans attending matches in early 2026 are treated to a retrospective of his era, with “The People’s Club” branding (which he famously coined in 2002) returning to the forefront of the club’s identity.
FAQs
What is David Moyes’ preferred formation in 2026?
He primarily utilizes a 4-2-3-1, focused on a solid defensive foundation and quick transitional play.
Was David Moyes ever a player?
Yes, he was a centre-back who made over 540 league appearances, starting at Celtic (where he won a league title) and playing for Bristol City, Shrewsbury, and Preston.
What is the ’24 Squares’ training method?
Moyes segments the training pitch into 24 equal squares to help players visualize their positional responsibilities and cover space more efficiently.
Who is the highest-scoring player under David Moyes?
Tim Cahill and Michail Antonio are among the most successful, with Antonio becoming West Ham’s all-time Premier League top scorer under his guidance.
How many Premier League games has David Moyes managed?
As of early 2026, he has managed over 700 Premier League games, ranking him third all-time.
What did Moyes win at Manchester United?
He won the FA Community Shield in 2013, becoming the first United manager to win a trophy in his first season.
Is David Moyes a religious man?
Yes, Moyes is a practicing Christian, which was a notable topic during his early career at Preston and Everton.
Why did he leave Real Sociedad?
He was sacked in November 2015 following a poor run of results and difficulties in adapting to the Spanish culture and language.
What is Moyes’ record against the ‘Big Six’?
While he has a strong home record, his away record against the “Big Six” was a point of criticism for many years, though this improved significantly during his second stint at West Ham.
Will David Moyes manage the Scotland national team?
While he has often been linked with the role, as of 2026 he remains committed to club management at Everton.
Who does David Moyes manage in 2026?
He is currently the manager of Everton FC in the English Premier League.
How many times has Moyes won Manager of the Year?
He has won the LMA Manager of the Year award three times (2003, 2005, and 2009).
Did David Moyes win a trophy with West Ham?
Yes, he won the UEFA Europa Conference League in June 2023.
How long was Moyes at Manchester United?
His tenure lasted roughly 10 months, from July 2013 to April 2014.
Is David Moyes still coaching?
Yes, he is active in the Premier League, having returned to Everton in January 2025.
What is David Moyes’ win percentage?
His total career win percentage is approximately 42.5% across nearly 1,200 matches.
Why is he called ‘The Chosen One’?
The nickname was given by Manchester United fans because he was personally selected by Sir Alex Ferguson to be his successor.
What formation does David Moyes use?
He most frequently uses a 4-2-3-1, focused on defensive stability and wide overloads.
Who are the most successful players under Moyes?
Notable stars include Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Jarrod Bowen, and Declan Rice.
What happened during his time in Spain?
Moyes managed Real Sociedad for one year (2014–2015), famously beating Barcelona 1-0 before leaving in November 2015.
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