David Moyes: Everton boss issues European spot ‘challenge’ for next season

Everton’s “challenge” for next season in the Premier League should be to try to finish in a position to qualify for Europe, says manager David Moyes.

The Scot, 61, left West Ham in the summer and returned to take charge of the Toffees for a second spell in January.

Moyes also led the Hammers twice and, in his second stint as boss, they staved off relegation in 2019-20 to finish 16th, before an impressive sixth-placed finish in the following campaign.

West Ham also reached the Europa League semi-finals, before notably winning the Europa Conference League in 2023 to end the club’s 43-year wait for a major trophy.

With only three home games left at Goodison Park before the move to their new stadium next season, Moyes wants 15th-placed Everton to rise up to emulate his achievements at London Stadium.

“It was amazing for the club and it transformed West Ham,” Moyes told BBC Radio 5 Live. “European tours for the supporters, the money that was getting brought in from the home games and we got to the semi-final of the Europa League.

“I don’t really see why we should not attempt to do that here at Everton. That has to be the challenge.”

However, a highly competitive top half of the table has 10th-placed Bournemouth still in with a shout of playing in Europe next season.

On Saturday, Everton visit third-placed Nottingham Forest, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, but have defied the odds to put themselves in a strong position to compete in the Champions League next term.

Moyes added: “We are seeing the odd team now maybe having a go such as Bournemouth and Fulham, while Brentford have tried to show over the years that they can get close to it.

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t try to get ourselves into that group. If we keep playing the way we have been doing, get results, then we will give ourselves every chance.”