David Moyes
In a candid conversation with ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley, Landon Donovan, the iconic former USA international, shared his insights on David Moyes’ return to Everton and the club’s upcoming challenges. As Everton prepares for its historic debut season at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Donovan expressed his confidence in Moyes’ ability to lead the team through this pivotal period.
Landon Donovan said: “It just feels right doesn’t it? It really does. There’s nobody who understands that more than David Moyes. I think he will carry all of the values, all of the history, respectfully, into the new stadium and a new era. I think he’s the perfect person to do it – I really do. To be honest, it was a group of players that weren’t his. Yet, there weren’t many teams better than Everton from the moment that David Moyes came back to the club until the end of last season. The fact that he was able to do that with players that weren’t his signings says a lot about him. What made David so successful during his previous time at Everton was how diligent he is about getting the right players. He knows it’s not Chelsea Football Club where you can buy 38 players and hope that 15 of them work out. He cannot miss very often, and he knows that. I’m sure he’s been on a mission these last couple of months to make sure he is getting the players that he absolutely wants. I have no doubt when he does, this team will be even better.”
Donovan’s remarks come as Moyes, who first took charge of Everton in 2002, returns to the helm at the age of 62. Moyes, who was once the youngest manager in the Premier League, now stands as one of its most experienced figures. Donovan highlighted Moyes’ adaptability and authenticity as key factors in his enduring success.
Landon Donovan said: “It’s remarkable because of the evolution of football through the past generation has been pretty drastic. If you think back to the 1980s and 1990s, most managers were authoritarian leaders, who would rule with: ‘I’m the man, and what I say goes.’ From about 2010 to the present day, players are very different now in terms of what they respond to from managers and their attitudes, but what hasn’t changed is David Moyes. He is authentic, true to himself and very serious about what he does, and you know that he cares about you and wants you to succeed. He’s stood the test of time and there’s not many managers in world football who have been able to remain authentic and true to themselves across that generational divide and still been successful across several decades. I think the most important thing for any leader in every walk of life is to be authentic to who you are. If you’re not, then people can sense it, and they know it.”
As Everton embarks on its journey in the Premier League Summer Series, Donovan also reflected on his recent visit to Goodison Park, where he witnessed the familial side of Moyes.
Landon Donovan said: “It was terrific meeting all the Moyes family when I visited Goodison Park. I was with David’s daughter, his wife and his grandson. After the match it was great, because it was David with them all and also his father was there, so there were four generations of Moyes there. It was nice to see him in that sort of environment, because then he’s just grandpa, right? David Moyes senior walked in, and he looks great, so the gaffer says: ‘Dad, can I get you a Scotch?’ He replied: ‘Aye – absolutely.’”
Donovan’s admiration for Moyes extends beyond the pitch, as he appreciates the manager’s fondness for America and its players. With Everton’s new chapter underway, Donovan’s words underscore the optimism surrounding Moyes’ leadership and the club’s future.
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