David Moyes has ruled out retiring from football management but says he plans to be more selective about his future roles.
The 61-year-old Scot, recently appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list for his contributions to football, has managed 697 Premier League games—surpassed only by Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
His career spans over 1,100 games across six clubs, beginning at Preston North End in 1998 before leading Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland, and West Ham United.
Since leaving West Ham after his second spell as manager ended in May, Moyes has taken a step back from the game. While linked to several positions and receiving some offers this season, he is currently enjoying his break before deciding on his next move.
“I don’t consider myself done yet but I am certainly enjoying some time off,” he told BBC Sport.
“The one thing I won’t do is put any manager under pressure personally, because I don’t believe in it. I have not liked it when I have been in that position myself.
“We are all getting a little bit older and I have to make sure I am doing the right thing for myself.
“Football is in my blood. It has been since I was a boy. I love watching football and I have enjoyed my career.
“If there is another part to it, so be it. But I would only want it to be a good part. I wouldn’t want to be coming in and doing something which is very difficult.
“I don’t want to be at the bottom of the league and fighting relegation which I have had a few times, so we will see how things go.”
Moyes is completing a family double as his father, David Sr, already has an MBE.
Pictures of Moyes celebrating with his father in Prague, after West Ham had won the Europa Conference League to give the Glaswegian the first major trophy of a managerial career spanning a quarter of a century, tugged at the heartstrings.
Moyes is quick to pay tribute to the support he has received from his family throughout his career, although he did not feel that single night should determine whether he has been a success or not.
“It was a great moment,” he said. “But it was instinctive. I hadn’t won anything before so I didn’t have anything planned.
“I never thought I should be defined if I won that night or not. My career had already been a good one. It had been a long one with many ups and downs in it.
“But I think that goes for most people. I don’t think anyone’s life just goes one way. You have to live with difficulties.
“There are times when you have to dig deep and show resilience. I have certainly had to do that over the years, but winning in Prague was brilliant.”