Departing Everton manager David Moyes hopes his 11-year reign at Goodison Park will be remembered for the progress made at the club.
Although the Toffees have not won a trophy since 1995, the Scot has had them consistently finishing in the top seven and even qualified for the Champions League for the first time. He is due to walk out in front of his home fans for the final time as Everton manager before he takes over as Manchester United boss in the summer.
"Today sees me manage Everton at Goodison Park for the last time," he wrote in his programme notes. "It won't be the last time I come to Goodison, and more than anything I want to sign off with three points."
He added: "When you become a football manager you're never sure if someday you'll be sacked and criticised for the work you've done. I hope that most Evertonians would see we have moved the club into the higher reaches of the Premier League more often than they had previously.
"Over the years we've had brilliant players come through the door but more importantly I think I have had great men and I would never have been given any opportunity to succeed at Everton if it wasn't for the help that I have received from all the players who have worked under me.
"I have brought nearly all the current players to Everton in my time and I do feel disappointed to be leaving them. They are all very much a part of what I have been trying to achieve at Everton and they have all bought into it. I have spoken to them and explained my situation, which they fully understand. It goes without saying my only interest is that we try to win the last two games of the season."
As well as thanking the players, Moyes also paid tribute to the people behind the scenes - especially chairman Bill Kenwright with whom he is particularly close.
"It has been something which has made the job at Everton easier," he said of their relationship. He has been incredibly supportive, desperate for his club to keep improving and I believe he should be congratulated for the way Everton as a football club has moved forward."
For club captain Phil Neville this will also be his last appearance at Goodison Park as an Everton player.
"In all my years in professional football I have never met a harder-working man than the gaffer," said the 36-year-old, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson at United before his move to Merseyside. "I was told before I arrived at Everton that he had an astonishing work ethic and that his attention to detail was second-to-none but it's not until you actually work with him you realise just how much he puts in to try to win football matches."
Source: PA
