I almost turned down first post - Moyes Preston to action

Posted Sunday, May 19, 2013 by thesun.co.uk

HAPPY END-ING ... David Moyes left Preston for Everton

DAVID MOYES admitted he almost did not go down the managerial road that has led him to the top job in British football.

The Scot will replace Alex Ferguson at Manchester United on July 1 after 11 years at Everton.

But he admitted it took some thinking to accept his first manager’s job at Preston.

Moyes, 50, was player-coach and assistant boss at the then struggling Division Two club before becoming player-boss in January 1998.

But Preston fans were more excited about rumours they were going to bring in Liverpool legend Ian Rush or Joe Royle.

The Scot was unsure if he was ready to take over but he eventually did and almost led them to back-to-back promotions in 2000 and 2001 before leaving for Everton in 2002.

He said: “When the job came up at Preston, they were talking about giving it to Ian Rush or Joe Royle. I didn’t want to take it if the supporters wanted Ian or Joe.

“I remember when I was offered the job, I didn’t take it straight away because I was still playing and, if they weren’t sure, I wanted to carry on as a player.

“I hedged my bets a bit before taking it and, to be honest, I didn’t have a good start.

“But I always felt I was going the right way.

“The Preston supporters wanted Ian Rush or Joe Royle because they didn’t see David Moyes as a manager.

“That’s part of the problem. Fans want managers with big names and big reputations.

“I was player-coach at Preston, then player-assistant manager and then manager. That progression gave me the kind of grounding that others haven’t had.”

Moyes’ impressive 11 years at Everton, in which he led them to Champions League qualification and an FA Cup final, was enough to persuade Ferguson to recommend him for United.

And the outgoing Everton boss believes he can be an example to young British managers who are put off by all the top jobs going to foreign coaches.

He said: “I hope they see there is a chance of getting a top job in England.”

Everton visit Chelsea today but Moyes dismissed talk of ever being boss at Stamford Bridge.

He added: “It was flattering to be linked with Chelsea.

“I’d been to a few Chelsea games — but that was because I was thinking of buying property in London, so I took in a few games while I was there.”