David Moyes tells Everton not to fear mass exodus to Manchester United
• Moyes rules out drastic changes to United coaching team
• 'It's difficult but continuity at every club is important'
David Moyes has indicated there will be no drastic changes to the coaching team at Manchester United, having revealed he expects continuity at Everton following his departure as manager.
Backroom staff at Old Trafford and Goodison Park are unsure about their futures as Moyes does not officially replace Sir Alex Ferguson until 1 July and has yet to decide on his first appointments as United manager. That process will commence next week, with Moyes's long-time coach Jimmy Lumsden, Everton's assistant manager Steve Round and their captain Phil Neville in contention for a move to Old Trafford, although the chairman, Bill Kenwright, has been told not to fear a mass exodus from Goodison.
Moyes said: "I haven't given any undertakings to Bill about not taking any back-room staff. My position is I am having to weigh up a lot of things right now. I have given indications to Bill about one or two things but I haven't said anything that would worry him right now.
"I have staff here at Everton and staff at Manchester United who are obviously looking for answers. I am in a bit of a difficult position at the moment but I have to completely respect Everton. I have a job to do preparing the team for the game on Sunday [at Chelsea] – after that it is less demanding. I have already prepared pre-season for Everton and that is all in place for whoever the new manager may be."
Moyes will take a holiday before his Everton contract expires and does not anticipate widespread change at Goodison once his 11-year tenure is over. The Scot has been consulted by Kenwright on his successor and does not believe a lack of management experience should count against an internal candidate, a stance that may help the claims of Neville, Round, David Weir, Alan Stubbs or Duncan Ferguson if they apply for the position.
"Continuity at every club is important," said Moyes. "You can't always just have a complete clean slate and start again.
"There are people here who have seen how I have worked, been involved in the meetings and seen how we recruit and could take the job on. Are they going to be successful Premier League managers? I don't know. The only way you find out is to give them an opportunity. In the same breath I do think that learning your trade is important as well. That is why the decision is not necessarily going to be someone from inside the building."