Moyes opens talks to stay at Everton

Published on Tuesday 15 July 2008 22:54

EVERTON manager David Moyes is in talks with the club over a new contract. He has been in charge of the team since 2002, but his current contract expires at the end of the coming season.

"We've started talks and we're hoping things will be wrapped up quickly," said Moyes.

Since he arrived from Preston in 2002, the Scot has turned Everton from relegation contenders into regular qualifiers for Europe.

In 2005, he even guided the club to fourth place in the Premiership and a place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

The news is also a signal that Moyes is now in a position to start adding to his squad, with Switzerland's Euro 2008 right-back, Stephan Lichtsteiner, a potential recruit. He would cost in the region of 300,000 and would offer a new defensive option while Tony Hibbert recovers from surgery.

The Lille defender, 24, played all three games for his country at the European Championships, keeping new Liverpool full-back Philipp Degen on the sidelines.