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The 61-year-old Scottish manager returned to Everton in January for a second spell in charge, after leaving West Ham last summer. During his time with the Hammers, Moyes helped the club avoid relegation, finish sixth in the Premier League, reach the Europa League semi-finals, and win the Europa Conference League in 2023—ending a 43-year wait for silverware.
Now, with Everton sitting 15th in the table and just three games left at Goodison Park before their move to a new stadium next season, Moyes is urging the team to set higher goals.
“It was amazing for West Ham and it transformed the club,” Moyes told BBC Radio 5 Live. “We had European tours for the fans, extra money from home games, and reached the Europa League semi-final. I don’t see why Everton can’t aim for that. That has to be the challenge.”
Moyes acknowledged that the top half of the Premier League is competitive, with clubs like Bournemouth—currently 10th—still in contention for European spots. He pointed to Bournemouth, Fulham, and Brentford as examples of teams that have shown ambition and punched above their weight.
“If we keep playing well and getting results, we can give ourselves a real chance,” he added.
Moyes previously led Everton to regular top-half finishes and European football during his first spell with the club. But this time, he faced a tougher start. Everton lost his first match in charge in January, narrowly sitting one point above the relegation zone.
He admitted that returning 12 years after leaving for Manchester United was “a huge risk” and that some nights were particularly tough. Still, the team turned things around with a nine-match unbeaten run that has almost guaranteed safety. With seven games left, Everton are 15 points above the drop zone.
“When we came in, we thought it might go to the last three games,” said Moyes. “But every win lifted our confidence. The players have stepped up, and some of them have done remarkably well. They’ve given us every chance to stay in the league.”
Everton’s next test is against third-placed Nottingham Forest on Saturday—a team that narrowly avoided relegation last season but now has a chance to qualify for the Champions League.
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