David Moyes has enjoyed a highly respectable managerial career over the years. Although his trophy cabinet might not be the most impressive – with West Ham United’s Europa Conference League triumph in 2023 representing his biggest achievement – his remarkable longevity in the game deserves plenty of recognition.
Having managed in the Premier League since his appointment at Everton in 2002, he has established himself as one of the most successful managers in the competition’s history, collecting more than 200 victories in the English top flight. After spells with Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham in England, as well as a short period at Real Sociedad, he eventually returned to Everton in 2025.
Throughout his time managing several high-profile clubs, Moyes has worked with an abundance of outstanding footballing talent, including some of the greatest Premier League players of all time. Asked to identify the finest players he had managed by BBC Sport in 2024, the Scotsman named four individuals.
Wayne Rooney: Everton and Manchester United
Wayne Rooney was a hugely gifted youngster who first came under Moyes’ guidance at Everton before making his high-profile switch to Manchester United. The pair experienced some difficulties along the way, with the manager even taking the forward to court over a libel claim following criticism. Nevertheless, their relationship eventually improved sufficiently for them to reunite at Old Trafford.
Reflecting on Rooney’s extraordinary ability, Moyes explained:
“Wayne Rooney: I think when I look back over the years, to have someone at such an early age be so talented, you know, known worldwide throughout his career, breaking Manchester United goalscoring records, breaking the England record for goalscoring… I think Wayne would have to be the standout player.”
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Nemanja Vidic: Manchester United
When Moyes arrived at Manchester United, he inherited an exceptional defensive partnership featuring Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. The squad also contained promising English centre-backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, but the former Everton boss clearly believed the Serbian defender, one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history, was in a class of his own, explaining:
“Vidic, I thought, was probably the best centre-half I’d worked with, I think I’d worked with a few at the time…”
Declan Rice: West Ham
Turning to a more recent example, Moyes’ decision to highlight Declan Rice is hardly unexpected. The midfielder played a pivotal role in West Ham’s Europa Conference League success in 2023 before completing a lucrative £100m transfer to Arsenal. Moyes clearly admired the England international’s development and had plenty of positive things to say about him:
“At West Ham, for example, I had Declan Rice, who was another really young player, but one who was certainly on the rise and went on to fulfil his potential as a young player. I see him probably becoming an England captain in the near future.
Leon Osman: Everton
Arguably the most unexpected inclusion among the four, Moyes appeared particularly pleased with the progress and achievements of Everton favourite Leon Osman. The former manager took great satisfaction from helping the midfielder earn international recognition, especially considering it came during the latter stages of his playing career:
“I think with people like Leon Osman, who was really really good player for us and went on to get an England cap when he was over 30, and sometimes those things give managers bigger thrills than some of the other boys.”
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