David Moyes is emerging as a top target to replace Sean Dyche as Everton manager

David Moyes is the top target to succeed Sean Dyche as Everton manager.

Everton’s new owners, The Friedkin Group (TFG), are keen on a swift appointment and have identified Moyes as their preferred option after relieving Dyche of his duties earlier on Thursday.

There is no agreement yet for the Scotsman to return to Goodison Park, but talks between Moyes and TFG are ongoing.

Moyes, 61, has been out of work since leaving West Ham United at the end of last season.

He spent more than 11 years at the club in his first spell, guiding them to the Champions League qualifying rounds in 2005 and the FA Cup final in 2009. He was a three-time League Managers Association (LMA) manager of the year during his time at Everton, before leaving in 2013 to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Former defender Leighton Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman were put in charge on an interim basis and will take charge of the side for the FA Cup third round tie with Peterborough United on Thursday night.

Dyche left the club earlier on Thursday with the club 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone, after being appointed in January 2023 to replace Frank Lampard. Everton finished 17th that season and Dyche guided them to 15th last term.

However, Saturday’s defeat by Bournemouth extended Everton’s winless run to five games and meant they had failed to score in eight of their last 10 league games.

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Moyes’ exit from West Ham last year was the second time he left the club. He was previously in charge for six months in the 2017–18 season before taking the job again the following year.

He guided West Ham to the Conference League title in 2022-23 during his second stint, defeating Fiorentina in the final to win the club’s first ever piece of European silverware and their first major trophy for 43 years.

In the previous season, Moyes’ side had reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, losing to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

Last season, Moyes guided West Ham to ninth place in the Premier League and the Europa League quarter-finals.

He has previously managed Preston North End, Sunderland and Real Sociedad.

(Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)