David Moyes admits it is a "big achievement" as he approaches his 10-year anniversary at Everton next week.
Long-serving boss approaches ten years with Toffees
Everton boss David Moyes admits it is a "big achievement" as he approaches his 10-year anniversary at Goodison Park next week.
The Scot moved from Championship side Preston in 2002 on a four-year contract but admits he did not know whether he would see that out or not.
And, in a situation similar to that faced by Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea before he was sacked at the weekend, Moyes, who took over at Everton a month before his 39th birthday, had to win over the players who were only a few years younger than him.
He told the
Liverpool Echo: "I took the Everton job when I was 38 years old, so it was relatively young.
"Some of the players weren't that much younger than me, and you have to earn respect.
"The players want to see how you work but I think I've been lucky because I've had good players around me and things have gone well - from the very first game."
Credit
Moyes believes the club deserves a lot of credit as well, including chairman Bill Kenwright.
He added: "When I came to Everton did I think I'd be here 10 years? I don't think you ever think that.
"You sign a four-year contract but it's difficult to know how long you're going to get.
"This job, because of the demands put on you, the public scrutiny and the results world that means there's a demand to win regularly, makes it hard to stay at any one club for 10 years.
"So, yes, 10 years is a big achievement - but the club deserves a lot of credit as well.
"Bill Kenwright had the foresight to look for someone he felt could help Everton and they've not been in a business where they've been unstable."
