Are Moyes and Everton’s owners on the same page?
Everton manager David Moyes has questioned whether the club’s owners share his view of last season, after chief executive Angus Kinnear described missing European qualification as a “failure”. Moyes said he had not been set a target of reaching Europe and believed the priority was a secure first season at the new stadium, exposing differing public messages over the club’s ambitions.
Everton fell from a European place to 13th after failing to win their final seven league matches, including a 3-1 home defeat by Sunderland. The Friedkin Group, which completed its takeover in December 2024, wants success in league and cup competitions, while Moyes says the squad remains too small and lacks quality in some areas despite a positive start to the season and summer recruitment.
In short
- Moyes disputes that missing Europe was Everton’s stated target.
- Owners called last season’s collapse a failure.
- Moyes wants further signings before the transfer deadline.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The owners have invested significantly in the club and European football is a legitimate competitive ambition for a Premier League club with resources. If Everton showed promise early in the season before a poor run, this suggests underperformance relative to the squad's actual capability. Setting ambitious targets and holding the manager accountable for progress toward those targets is how serious ownership groups drive improvement.
The case against
Managing a club through its first season at a new stadium whilst overseeing squad development requires realistic expectations. Moyes inherited a transitional squad lacking depth and quality in several areas, making European qualification an ambitious stretch rather than an achievable goal in year one. Establishing stability and a secure foundation is more prudent than chasing European football prematurely, and the divergence in messaging suggests the owners may not fully grasp where the squad actually stands developmentally.
Explained simply
Everton are a football club from Liverpool whose men’s team competes in the Premier League. David Moyes is the manager, responsible for coaching and selecting the team, while Angus Kinnear is the chief executive and the Friedkin Group owns the club.
European qualification means earning a place in competitions played by clubs from across Europe, usually by finishing high enough in the league or winning a cup. Everton’s owners have spoken about wanting success in league and cup competitions, while Moyes has said the squad needs more depth and quality.
The discussion reflects a wider question about what counts as progress for the club, particularly in its first season at a new stadium. Clear expectations matter because they shape decisions about recruitment, performance and how the manager’s work is judged.
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