Everton boss David Moyes, who has two years to run on his present deal, confirmed that he has been talking about a new contract at Goodison Park.

"Me and the chairman have just mentioned it - we've not got any further than that at this present time but I have a great relationship with my chairman and we're both comfortable with the situation," he said.

Five more years would take Moyes into the realms of longevity enjoyed by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

But he stressed: "It may put me up there in length but it certainly doesn't put me up in quality because they've won trophies. I've not won anything yet so from that point of view I've got a long way to go."

Moyes hopes the progress Everton have made in his six years there will be noticed by club chiefs so quick on the trigger when success does not come instantly.

He said: "The team are playing the best in the six years I've been here.

"I think that's a message to a lot of chairmen out there. Give your managers a bit more time, instead of having a knee-jerk reaction over sackings and changing things around."