David Moyes 'not happy' at link with Newcastle

Jan 11 2008

David Moyes is said to be non-plussed by speculation in the north east that he is one of the favourites to succeed Sam Allardyce as Newcastle United manager.

The Everton manager, along with Blackburn’s Mark Hughes, entered the frame yesterday after Harry Redknapp led out leaving Portsmouth for St James’ Park, while Alan Shearer also snubbed interest.

But Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “There is no truth in rumours linking David Moyes with Newcastle.

“I spoke to my good friend Philip Green in Hong Kong, and he was actually with (Newcastle United owner) Mike Ashley. Mike came on the phone and I told him there were suggestions he was after David.

“He said ‘Listen Bill, even if David was the best manager in the world – and I know you think he is – there’s no way we would ever do anything like that to Everton’.

“Newcastle is a special football club, a great club. But I have always said if you sign a manager, you have to give him the amount of time you feel necessary to do a good job.

“With David, I knew from the second I met him we had a plan and have kept to that as near as possible.

“At the end of the day it is all about loyalty.

“David is the man we are privileged to call our manager and who will take us back to where we feel we belong.”

Everton have the opportunity to go above fourth-placed City with victory at Goodison tomorrow and will welcome back Mikel Arteta after a three-match suspension.

To replace Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side the top four by tomorrow evening, however, Everton need Middlesbrough to beat Liverpool at the Riverside.