- England legend Paul Gascoigne has said that he left Everton because of Moyes
- David Moyes spent 11 years at Goodison Park before moving to Man United
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Paul Gascoigne has criticised Everton manager David Moyes, blaming him for his departure from the club.
The England legend spent two years at Goodison Park but left for Burnley just one week after Moyes replaced Walter Smith in 2002.
Moyes, who joined Everton after spending four years at Preston, was only his second managerial job and later described Gascoigne’s move as a ‘nightmare’.
‘I didn’t like the way he came to Everton when he was going to be manager and that’s why I left,’ Gascoigne told esportinsider.
‘He’d not played any top level football or managed any big teams. We had 18 internationals in the dressing room at Everton, from the likes of Wales, Scotland and myself.
‘He just came in and he said, “I’m your new manager and I’ve seen how you played on Saturday. If you mess about with me I’ll cut your f****** balls off!”.
‘Those were his first words to me and I went, well I won’t be staying with him. He did ring us up later and say come back to the club, give me a chance to work with you. But I’d made my position clear. But he’s a good man. I think he’s mellowed a bit.’
Paul Gascoigne has hit out at Everton boss David Moyes and blamed him for leaving in 2002
He spent two years at Goodison Park but left for Burnley just one week after Moyes joined
David Moyes spent 11 years at Goodison Park before joining Man United and has since returned
Despite criticising the Scot, Gascoigne, who played 57 times for England, admitted he ‘has done really well’ since rejoining Everton.
Moyes spent 11 years at the Toffees before returning this season and said Gascoigne’s departure left the midfielder in tears.
‘Paul [Gascoigne] was on his way out to Burnley, which was a nightmare for me. As I was introduced on the Thursday night, Gazza was going to sign for Burnley, who were due to play Preston,’ he said.
‘I didn’t want Gazza to play for Burnley against Preston. I was saying: ‘I’m going to have to keep Gazza here.”
He previously told the Times: ‘Gazza had arranged a transfer to Burnley. He came into my office and started crying his eyes out.
‘It was a strange first day at work, and the guy you’ve admired for years is in front of you in tears. He went the next week and we ended up getting on really well.’
Gascoigne, 58, signed for Everton in 2000 and only scored once in two years at the club.
He enjoyed a close relationship with Smith, reuniting at Everton after three succesful years at Rangers, and swiftly moved on after he left.
He played 57 times for England and admitted Moyes ‘has done well’ since rejoining Everton
Gascoigne enjoyed a close relationship with Smith after spending time together at Rangers
David Moyes took charge of Everton in 2002 and led them to a fourth placed finished in 2005
Moyes’ first stint at Everton saw him lead the club to nine top half finishes, including a record fourth place in 2004/05, and he won three LMA Manager of the Year awards.
He moved to Manchester United to replace Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, before spells at Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham.
The 62-year-old replaced Sean Dyche at Everton in January and has guided them to a 13th place finish ahead of their first season as the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
