Alan Stubbs could have been an Everton coach says David Moyes

Feb 2 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

DAVID MOYES has revealed Alan Stubbs turned down the chance to join the coaching staff at Everton in order to prolong his playing career.

The 36-year-old centre-back ended his second spell at Goodison by completing a surprise free transfer to Derby County on transfer deadline day on Thursday.

It forced Moyes into a hasty swoop for Anthony Gardner, with the Tottenham Hotspur defender arriving on loan until the end of the season.

However, Gardner won’t be considered for an instant debut at Blackburn Rovers this afternoon as he is nursing an ankle ligament problem that is expected to keep him sidelined for a fortnight.

Moyes was keen for Stubbs to stay at Goodison and was planning to increase the defender’s involvement in the backroom staff after he took charge of Everton’s reserve team twice earlier this season.

“I didn’t intend to do anything more in the transfer window, but there was a last minute enquiry with Stubbsy,” said Moyes. “We did not want him to go because it would have left us short of cover.

“I was a little bit surprised he wanted to leave, we had a long conversation after the game on Wednesday night.

“I said to Stubbsy that next year he would more than likely be brought on to the staff and he could combine playing with working with the younger players.

“I think he was seriously down that road in his plans, but in his mind the playing made a difference to him. He’s gone on to pastures new now, so whether he comes back we’ll have to see.

“Derby offered him an extra year, and the opportunity to play was a big pull for him.

“I admire that he wants to keep playing, and after his service for us and his age I didn’t want to stand in his way.”

Moyes admitted that Everton were forced to act quickly to provide extra cover at

centre-back once Stubbs chose to leave.

“Stubbsy told us on Thursday afternoon that he was going, and we hadn’t looked at any other centre-backs up until that point,” he added.

“A couple of names came to mind quickly who might be available. Spurs had just signed a centre-back and I thought we needed someone who had been around the Premier League

“But Anthony has an ankle ligament problem and will be out with a couple of weeks.”

Moyes admits he made a few tentative enquiries about other possible signings, but is confident his squad will stay competitive for the remainder of the season.

“We made offers for a couple of other players and that didn’t quite come off,” he said. “We weren’t desperate.

“We are in a really strong position. Everything I do is to try and keep moving the side on that is my job. Hopefully, we will look to do that again in the summer now.

“I think with the purchase of Yakubu in the summer we spent up our money for this part of the season.”

Everton look to strengthen their grip on fourth-place when they visit Blackburn today.

But the Goodison manager said: “Competition for fourth is very high, but I still believe Liverpool are favourites for that place, they have the game in hand on everyone and I expect them to get there.”

Tony Hibbert returns from suspension this afternoon, but there are doubts over Tim Cahill (hamstring) and Leon Osman (calf and groin).