David Moyes was confirmed as the new manager at Goodison Park on Saturday, after The Friedkin Group parted ways with Sean Dyche last week.

Dyche left the club somewhat abruptly, just hours before Everton’s game with Peterborough United in the FA Cup.

But his exit had been on the cards for a few days before, with Dyche and TFG negotiating a severance package behind the scenes.

In the end, it was a decision the owners had to make. Dyche had apparently told The Friedkin Group that he’d taken Everton as far as he could, leaving the new owners little choice but to negotiate his exit, despite them initially backing him.

Moyes is now in place, and he spoke to the media today in his first press conference of his second spell at the club.

And there, he gave an update on the mood in the camp after a whirlwind past few days.

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Moyes struck by Everton players’ ‘good spirits’ in telling admission after Dyche sack

Today Moyes took training for the first time since his reappointment by the club.

Everton take on Aston Villa on Wednesday, and it will be a big challenge for Moyes to kick off with a victory.

Managerial changes can often result in disarray – but Moyes today suggested the players have dealt with the past few days well.

On how his first training session went today, Moyes said: “It’s the first day I’ve been with them. Today was an opportunity to train with them and see them. I think the squad is in good spirits in the main.

“They’ve obviously been in this position before so the position they’re in just now is not something which has just happened to them.

“I found the players good today. I’ve got to say, I really enjoyed being out with them. We trained well, we had a bit of laughter, a bit of fun as well. Sometimes, when it’s not so good you need to make sure you try and keep their chins up.”

It was perhaps a somewhat telling verdict that seemingly no one was particularly downbeat following the departure of Dyche.

Moyes also hinted Calvert-Lewin could stay at Everton this month, stating he has challenged the striker to start scoring regularly again, and saying most people at the club think he can be the difference.

Goodison Park can help Moyes make perfect start at Everton

So the work has already started for Moyes and there is no overstating the scale of the job on his hands.

Everton have been woeful this season, and many of the players have massively underperformed under the previous manager.

But TFG have made the change now, much to the relief of many fans, and Moyes is the man tasked with executing a safety mission.

It won’t be easy, but there’s optimism Moyes can succeed in his second spell – and the first two games being at Goodison Park may really help his cause.

Everton have Villa on Wednesday, followed by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Moyes will undoubtedly get an amazing, deafening reception against Villa on his first game back, and that support from the Goodison faithful could be so, so key this week for the players.

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