Moyes reaches 600th game of bright career

David Moyes’ 600th game in league management ended in defeat away to rivals Liverpool, and though he is yet to win at Anfield as a manager, the 46-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best.

The Scotsman had his sights set on management from an early age and took his first coaching badge at just 22 while playing at Bristol City. He was only 34 when he took charge of Preston North End, his only other club, and the four years he spent at Deepdale were hugely successful.

Languishing in the third tier of English football, Moyes brought them to within one game of the Premiership, picking up the Division Two title along the way.

Although Moyes has not brought home any silverware for Everton, the fans appreciate how he has turned the club into a top Premier League side.

He took over from Walter Smith in March 2002 and was expected to ensure the club's Premier League status, which he did. In his first full season in charge he secured a seventh-place finish, before breaking into the top four the following year.

An FA cup final last season, along with another fifth-place finish, wrapped up another fine season for the Toffees and Moyes, who clinched the LMA Manager of the Year award for a record third time.

After struggling with injuries, it seems this season is back on track, despite the hiccup at Anfield. Moyes won Manager of the Month in January for his side's recent run of form, which has them rise into the top half of the table in search of a Europa League spot.

The club has flourished under Moyes and has succeeded without the lavish budgets of the top four Premier League sides, as well as the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City, who have all spent big in comparison.

Moyes instead spends wisely and gets the best out of the players at his disposal. Signings such as Tim Cahill, Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville, and Louis Saha have all bolstered the squad since his tenure began.

The nurturing of young talent is also high on the agenda at the club with players such as Leon Osman, Dan Gosling, Jack Rodwell and most notably Wayne Rooney all coming through the ranks. It was indeed Moyes who gave Rooney his big break in the first team at just 16.

Moyes is one of the many talented Scottish managers currently in English football - Alex McLeish, Owen Coyle, Billy Davies, Alan Irvine and Paul Lambert are all enjoying success as they try to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson.

The faith the club have invested in Moyes is somewhat rare these days and it would have been easy to sack him after the poor season that followed the top four finish. But the board have gone for a long-term approach and have been thoroughly rewarded.