Premiership: Everton granted permission to approach Moyes

Preston North End have given Everton permission to speak to manager David Moyes after the Merseyside club sacked their manager, Walter Smith, today.

Preston’s acting chairman, Derek Shaw, and chief executive, Tony Scholes, met with Everton officials this afternoon and agreed to allow an approach to Moyes.

Smith had spent almost four years in charge of Everton, but his sacking came as no surprise, with the club currently just one point away from the Premiership relegation zone.

Smith’s assistant, Archie Knox, is expected to take temporary charge of team affairs.