Andrew Johnson has backed David Moyes’ ambition to return Everton to European football and expressed his regret at not staying longer with the Blues. Moyes steered Everton to nine top eight finishes during his first spell in charge, including their highest ever Premier League placing of fourth in 2004/05.

Returning to Goodison Park at the halfway point of last season with the team only one point above the relegation zone, the Glaswegian steered them to safety with five matches remaining and they ultimately came 13th.

When speaking exclusively to this correspondent from the Blues’ team hotel in Chicago while on their pre-season tour for the Premier League Summer Series, the 62-year-old revealed that having whetted his appetite by lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League with West Ham United in 2023 – the east London club’s first major honour in 43 years – he was now determined to take Everton back into continental competition. Moyes told the ECHO: “I wouldn’t want to use the word dream, but I’ve got an ambition to see if I can get Everton back towards European football.”