Silva announcement expected before the weekend

Wednesday, 30 May, 2018 181comments  |  Jump to most recent

Marco Silva's confirmation as Everton manager could arrive in the next two or three days, possibly coinciding with Marcel Brands's first day on the job.

Brands officially begins his role as the club's new Director of Football on Friday having spent the past week or so wrapping things up at PSV Eindhoven where he spent eight successful years.

The Dutchman has also been consulted over the process of hiring the Blues' new manager and is believed to have spoken with Silva while a wrangle with the latter's former club, Watford, over compensation has played out in the background.

According to the latest reports, an agreement between the two clubs has almost been reached, although Everton had been expected to name the Portuguese as the long-term replacement for Ronald Koeman regardless of the outcome.

Watford had lodged an official complaint with the Premier League over what they deemed to be an illegal approach by the Toffees for Silva back in October and November when they were searching for a successor to Koeman whom they had recently sacked.

The Hornets dismissed Silva himself in January, blaming Everton for unsettling him and causing him to lose focus and he has been out of work since.

He looks set to sign a three-year contract with Everton, having reportedly turned down offers from China and on the Continent to stay in the Premier League.

 

Reader Comments (181)

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Jerome Shields
2 Posted 30/05/2018 at 06:43:06
The speculation has died down. The only candidate for the job is Marco Silva. Let’s hope he is good enough.
Ian Hollingworth
3 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:01:39
I still think this is a mistake. However, if it is going to happen, I will get behind it.

I am now more interested to see the ins and outs of the playing staff and hopefully the big one — Kenwright Out.

Victor Yu
4 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:02:59
There are many better options but we are ignoring them (just like when we went all in for Koeman).
Colin Glassar
6 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:16:58
For better or worse, we will have a new manager come Friday. Noone knows if it will work out so forget your ‘Football Manager' fantasies and give the man a chance.
Brian Porter
7 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:23:39
Ian (#3) and Victor (#4), I have to agree with both of you.

As with the Koeman appointment it appears that Moshiri has made his choice very early and despite there being other, potentially better options out there, he just throws all his eggs in one basket and is blind to other candidates. I just hope this won't turn out the same way.

Looking at the speed other clubs have moved at to appoint their new managers, I also despair of Everton ever getting a big appointment over the line early enough to get the rebuilding project under way. I'm afraid Silva doesn't excite me at all.

Derek Knox
8 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:25:49
I will get behind him when he is appointed, although he is not my choice, and just hope he proves me wrong.

Like Ian @3, says it will be very interesting to see who comes and goes, there is a lot of work to do, but a few correct additions may just freshen things up, and get us looking something like a football team.

John Roberts
9 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:27:40
I agree, Colin. No such thing as guaranteed success with any manager.

I watched Watford a fair bit before we went hunting for Silva and they were playing some great football away at some good sides.

it just might not work out – ask any club when taking on a manager – but I for one am feeling positive about the move.

John Smith
10 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:33:41
His contract ends May, so this should be announced Friday, June 1st.
Brian Murray
11 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:41:52
The big announcement that is crucial before a new manager, is a new chairman who knows how to negotiate a transfer swiftly and sees a proper marketing kit and sponsor deals that reflect the Premier League cash income.
Salim Rehman
12 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:45:19
Yes, there are other candidates but who? Simone? Cocu? They wouldn't come to us even if we had a massive transfer budget as there's no European football.

However if your talking about the likes of Howe, Dyche or Chris Hughton then thanks but no thanks as Everton are a massive club compared to what they have managed or are managing.

If it's confirmed as Marco Silva then let's back him; you never know... but what is guaranteed is that, if the fixture list is what Koeman got, then all the Toffees who wanted Howe will say "We told you so".

Kim Vivian
13 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:45:34
I have been quite optimistic about the possibility of Silva – more from Steve Ferns's analyses, I think, than the evidence of my eyes. But having previously perceived Arteta as a non-starter because of the Arsenal connection, I am astonished we have not made overtures in his direction now he appears to be available.

Of the two, I would favour Arteta but maybe his likely demands and "inexperience" have steered us away. However, I would see him as by far the most exciting option of the two... but I will be behind Silva when or if he does eventually arrive (1st June?).

Here's to the hope – as always.

Sam Hoare
14 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:49:23
He was my choice pre-Allardyce and is still my choice post-Allardyce.

There are no sure bets in management at our level but I think we need a real coach in charge of the team to build a new system and style of football where none was evident last season. There remain question marks over him such as how he deals with adversity and getting his head turned but my hope is that he will have learnt from how everything went south very quickly for him at Watford.

If it is to be him then he has a very tough task on his hands as our squad is way behind the top 6 and will be competing mainly with the likes of Burnley and West Ham next season in its current state. Hopefully him and Brands can make a few well chosen additions this Summer and Silva can get a better tune out of our expensive outlays from last year.

If it is to be Silva then for the first time in over a decade I will have got the manager I wanted! He better get it right!

Jon Withey
15 Posted 30/05/2018 at 07:55:21
I wonder how Arteta would fair when things aren't going his way? With Silva, he seems to be decent at handling challenging situations – and Everton are that right now.

Still, could end up with tears again – but worth a try.

Jer Kiernan
16 Posted 30/05/2018 at 08:24:31
This is crazy, surely the point of having money and being an ambitious "big" club is that you go for managers who have achieved things, and who your competitors want after?

We will only have ourselves to blame when he fails to get us in Top 6, I predict an improvement in performance/style (could it be any worse to last season? Well no but could to be similar) but by end of the season we will falter

And what will the board think? "Well, there's a surprise... he did such a great job with Hull and Watford" – shockingly bad call in my books, I am sorry.

I will support him however as he is not Fat Sam, so that's one thing he has going for him. I dearly hope I am wrong but fear, yet again, it's the Board who are wrong.

Nobody else of any pedigree has been spoken to (due diligence, anyone!!) and nobody else is headhunting him. Another fucking lottery ticket appointment.

Well, let's start saying our prayers, folks, I mean you never know, right?

Mark Dunford
17 Posted 30/05/2018 at 08:38:21
Whatever happens in the next week or so, it seems clear that we're heading towards an appointment to complete the overhaul at the top of the club. Given the scale of the mess we were in after the West Ham game, this is quite an achievement.

Elstone has gone of his own choice; the failed Steve Walsh has left, and above all Allardyce and his cronies have all departed. Brands, who isn't yet formally in place, seems to say sensible, considered things and has a better footballing pedigree than the combined record of Walsh and Allardyce's team.

No players have kicked up a fuss and the storm-in-a-teacup article, which read like a gratuitous Allardyce leak to The Sun, blew over quickly. The appointment of Silva seems to be on the cards and the tricky problem with Watford that could have turned nasty is likely to be sorted before confirmation.

The relatively quiet month of June then gives the new people time to settle and plan for pre-season. This all seems more than just the usual change at the top, so it does offer a reason to be optimistic.

Jim Bennings
18 Posted 30/05/2018 at 08:41:34
Let's hope if he gets appointed, and it looks 100% Silva now and no-one else, that the fans and the Twitter and Facebook brigade lay off him and don't want him gone by Christmas.

I can only hope he's a big enough personality to deal with the amount of mishaps and dross and weak-willed characters that currently reside in our squad and somehow he can get a tune out of them.

Len Hawkins
19 Posted 30/05/2018 at 08:47:34
It's all very well to keep banging the drum about managers that "have won something" so look at it in perspective:

Matt Busby, Harry Catterick, Bill Shankly, Bertie Mee, Tommy Docherty, Joe Mercer, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Alex Ferguson, Ancelotti, Howard Kendall, Paisley, Fagan, etc etc etc...

What had they won when they started out?? Silva I'm sorry to say has won something yet he keeps getting belittled by a large group on here. Give the bloke a chance!

Please note: Chelsea have had more managers than I've had hot dinners over the last 30 years yet they've won a damn sight more than Everton who have courted mediocrity since Kendall Mk 1. Only one team can win the League per season; only one team can win the Cup, that is akin to winning the lottery.

I bet many would grab Pochettino with both hands because he has won???

Kase Chow
20 Posted 30/05/2018 at 08:54:22
z'm happy with Silva

His teams played attacking football (something we haven't seen in a while) and he was never overawed by playing bigger teams, eg, Liverpool or Man Utd.

We need a manager without an inferiority complex and I think Silva showed at Hull that he could get a balance between defence and attack hell, he even made a player out of Niasse!!!

Inventive, attacking, good coaching ability and young enough to be hungry... let's snap this up!!!

Jer Kiernan
21 Posted 30/05/2018 at 08:58:15
Hi Len,

I don't see your point. I am sorry obviously the first day/first Job all of the above had as managers they had not won anything yet. Fergie though, as an example, had great sustained success with Aberdeen in breaking the old firm monopoly and indeed in Europe before his appointment at Man Utd. My point is not many of the above were dumped out on their arses by two shite clubs with no expectations in just two-and-a-half seasons of football.

So there are no guarantees, that we all know, but his record with Watford last season was shite, and he Failed to keep Hull in the league so I am sorry but I will bang the drum on this as they are facts.,

If you choose to put your fingers in your ears, that is your decision. I did also say I would support him if he is appointed but would have at least liked us to show some ambition in talking to other managers like Emery, Ancelotti, etc

If they snub us, so be it, but nobody else is looking to sign this guy?

Also you argue against your own point by bringing up Chelsea as they had won fuck all in 30 years when I started watching the game; now, it is us who are in their shoes. So it is about setting the proper standards which I don't believe Silva's appointment is doing.

Sam Hoare
22 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:13:18
Jer @21 "his record with Watford last year was shite"

It ended badly but they were still in 10th when he was sacked, which would have been their highest ever Premier League finish. During his time there, they played some lovely football and turned over some of the top teams.

Seems he had his head turned too easily; what may have happened if he'd been given another few months, we'll never know – but it's not like he left them bottom of the league.

Lennart Hylen
23 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:13:32
Win ratio at Hull 36.4% and at Watford 30.8%.
Steve Ferns
24 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:16:24
Sorry to break it to you Jer, but our competitors are West Ham and Leicester. West Ham, according to reports wanted Silva and he turned them down. Leicester wanted Silva to replace Puel, but decided to stick with Puel (for now) after Silva made it clear he wanted the Everton job.

To take issue with your two “facts”, yes it’s a fact he was manager with Hull when they went down. However, it’s opinion that his record with Watford was shite. As has been stated many times in this debate, the position Watford were in would give them their third highest position ever and their highest for 30 years, so how was that shite?

Silva is the first guy Everton have appointed that I’d have chosen since Big Joe. The time for arguing is over. We all hope he does well and that he has the coaching skills I’ve promised.

Come on Marco, don’t let me down!

Mike Allison
25 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:17:04
Anyone saying something along the lines of “I don't think he's the right man, but I'll get behind him”, don't kid yourselves, you're already not behind him.

But don't worry: you've got your “told-you-so” in early enough to count. Well done.

Steve Ferns
26 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:20:47
Lennart, his overall win percentage is 53%. It's the Everton one that matters though. The others are just indicators.
Jim Harrison
27 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:21:40
Jer 21

It puzzles me why people keep bringing up that he didn't keep Hull up. No one would have kept them up!!! They were in utter disarray. He went in, did a great job under the circumstances that wasn't quite enough.

Watford I can understand you using, as the results took a dive. But even then, what do you expect at Watford? Top 4?

Carl Taylor
28 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:27:57
I think a lot on here are missing a key point. We are not appointing a manager, we are appointing a head coach.

For better or worse, the club have decided to adopt a model which wouldn't suit a Dyche, Howe or Hughton (3 names mentioned above) because they manage all aspects of football at their clubs. It also wouldn't suit Allardyce, thank the lord!!

I believe Silva will be told to coach what he is given and to adopt a philosophy dictated by Brands. Therefore, the optimists out there, I wouldn't see a 'Simeone' type being happy with that either. As for an 'Arteta' appointment, we are lead to believe he wasn't happy with the management structure at Arsenal, who are also adopting a similar set up to us this summer.

So we need a coach, who is happiest and most effective on the training ground and not fussed at being in charge of the sale and purchase of players. Yes, he will have an input, but I think the final decision rests with Brands.

In many ways, if we had this model in the 80's, Kendall may never have managed us, but Harvey may have been head coach and had more success than when he had to manage the club, which proved a responsibility too far for him.

I'm not convinced this model will work, see the Kendall - Harvey analogy above, but as many have already said, I will be 100% behind this new management & coaching team from day one.

Jer Kiernan
29 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:41:33
@Sam 22
So it appears Watford sacked him for doing a great job?? Well that's a first, They were in freefall I don't have the time to check the results of the 10 games leading up to his demise but I would doubt it makes for good reading.

@Jim 27
Keeping Hull up was mathematically possible and he had both enough games and scope to save them; he failed. It was not beyond the realms that they could have stayed up.

@Mike 25
I will judge Silva on what I see on the pitch and not just because, end of story.

And I genuinely hope he succeeds if appointed. I can't speak for others but I would much prefer our Club finally has some success than for me to look clever on a football forum, I can assure you.

Brian Williams
30 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:44:13
I just hope once it's done (on Friday hopefully) that he and Brands gel quickly and make some inspired signings ASAP.

I'm hoping to see a manager with a personality and a passion for the game and the club. With regards to the "big names" and why we aren't going after them because "we've got money after all."

Please lads leave the delusional outlook to them across the park. It's all very "football manager" game and not in the slightest bit realistic.

And to those who will have a go for not having ambition, not shooting for the top blah blah. At the moment we're not even the best of the rest and a team languishing in mid-table mediocrity won't attract the film star managers whose names are being bandied about.

Get real and get behind the new man when he comes. Not my choice I have to say but when I was asked "Who could we realistically get?" I have to admit I was a bit stumped to come up with a sensible alternative.

I feel the signings we make, and the players we get rid of, will give us a hint as to how good (or bad) things may turn out. But if he is to be our manager then I'm going to get right behind him, and the team and see where we can go.

Sam Hoare
31 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:45:44
Jer @29, did I say he'd done a 'great job'? No. So not really sure where you've plucked that from.

I said they were in 10th when he was sacked which would have been their best-ever Premier League finish. You were the one who said his record there was 'shite' which, compared to their previous Premier League records, is simply untrue. Maybe you should check those records.

John G Davies
32 Posted 30/05/2018 at 09:52:24
Every Blue needs to get behind Silva.

Get rid of the negative attitude and do what a supporter is supposed to do: support.
Jer Kiernan
33 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:00:13
Brian @30,

It appears you are suffering from a bad dose of "Kenwrightis" with regards to the "big names" and why we aren't going after them because "we've got money after all". Please, lads, leave the delusional outlook to them across the park.

It's all very "Football Manager" game and not in the slightest bit realistic. And to those who will have a go for not having ambition, not shooting for the top blah blah.

"At the moment, we're not even the best of the rest and a team languishing in mid-table mediocrity won't attract the film star managers whose names are being bandied about"

And, judging by the above, it appears to be chronic.

Roger Helm
34 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:06:28
It is all very well wanting a top manager or a proven winner, but we are a bit of a basket case at present, so why would such a manager want to come here?

Personally I think the combination of a successful European DOF and a good head coach with Premier League experience is reasonably promising, or at least the best we could do given the state of our club.

Steve Powell
35 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:11:55
Probably would not be my first choice, but I am not making the decision. I think that Silva has some pedigree and can do a good job for us. We need to get this show back on the road and start improving so that in the future we can attract the big name managers and start winning things again.

As others have pointed out, he has won things. You can only win what you are entered to and, for us, that is not that much, but if he could lead us to a cup win, would we complain? Definitely not.

This is the start of a journey. Let's hope it stays on the road this time. I say, let's get behind him.

Jimmy Hogan
36 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:14:32
Brian Williams
37 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:17:31
Jer (#33).

Not only do you appear to not have much of a clue generally but you're doing what a few on here do and jumping on the anti-Kenwright bandwagon when I'm pretty sure you won't have much of a clue what Kenwright has or hasn't done and are mostly basing your approach on what you read on here.

You need to get back onto "Football Manager" and win us the league... :-)

Oh one last point: Nobody else of any pedigree has been spoken to (due diligence, anyone!!) and nobody else is headhunting him, Another fucking lottery ticket appointment.

WRONG. Nobody else has been spoken to that the media have been able to blab about.

Victor Yu
38 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:21:41
Silva's teams play attractive soccer but relatively soft defensively.

I believe I watched a similar Everton team a few years ago?

If this is what we are chasing, then we should have kept Martinez instead.

Jim Harrison
39 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:26:22
Jer,

A complete over-simplification of the situation at Hull.

When Sam came in, it was still mathematically possible to qualify for the Champions League!! It wasn't likely though.

Ian Burns
40 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:34:03
The man is about to be appointed. He must have passed the Brands test and agreed the structure within which he is about to work, ie, head coach with a view to bringing through the youngsters where possible.

It also looks as though William Carvalho may be on his way, which will mean any number of midfielders leaving to create the space for this signing and hopefully Dowell coming back to see if he can become the creative midfielder we crave.

I hope he gets the backing of all supporters, even those who might not agree with his appointment, as he will need to hit the ground running, methinks.

Laurie Hartley
41 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:34:58
Steve Ferns (#24) – never a truer word spoken regarding the appointment of our new manager:

"The time for arguing is over."

Let's get behind this young bloke through thick and thin; it is his and our best chance of moving forward after the debacle of last season.

Jer Kiernan
42 Posted 30/05/2018 at 10:36:55
Brian @37

I don't indulge in childish video games, If you want to throw mud, go ahead I will respond to valid points or arguements if you can muster any. But just have a read back on your blabbering statement I quoted as Kenwright-esque and I love the part where you state:

"Please lads leave the delusional outlook to them across the park." ?? You are aware our delusional neighbours have just played in their 2nd Champions League Fnal in as many years, Are you for real?

This is the type of mediocrity that has our trophy cabinet gathering dust for 30+ years; you accept it, they will happily feed it to you.

Can you please name one manager we have even been linked with in the media, any meetings with Moshiri or Kenwright? You honestly think in this day and age we could be negotiating with Ancelotti, for example, without at least some media attention murmurings etc? Nothing... nada!

We have spoken to nobody – this is not "due dilligence" considering this appointment comes at an historic crossroads in our Club's history.

Dave Harrison
43 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:09:21
Just to put his time at Hull in perspective. They had 13 fit players during pre-season last year. Their owners are looking to sell the club and famously refuse to invest, hence why Steve Bruce quit (not sacked, quit). They had won 1 in 18 when Phelan was sacked.

In January the club sold Robert Snodgrass (by far their best player), Jake Livermore (England international), Allan McGregor (No 1 keeper), Alex Bruce and some others. Their owners still refused to invest.

It's no coincidence they have been fighting relegation in the Championship all year. The club is a shambles.

Silva came in, managed to get Markovic and Niasse on loan and very nearly managed to keep that absolute shower in the Premier League, beating Liverpool in the league and Man Utd in the League Cup semi-final along the way.

I'd hedge my bets and say none of the other names being chucked around would have done any better.

David Graves
44 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:09:40
But his record at Watford was poor, wasn't it? In his last 10 games he won 1 and drew 2. That's relegation form. They may well have been 10th at the time but on that run of form they weren't going to be staying there, were they?

Watford were in a massive decline and for whatever spurious reasons you give he couldn't turn it round. And the top teams they "turned over"? Not sure about that. They beat Arsenal and drew with Liverpool and Spurs but that was about it.

This may well be what is expected from Watford but you can't claim that he was beating top teams when he was there. He will be a risk when he is appointed. To claim anything otherwise is folly.

David Ellis
45 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:13:06
Ker (#42),

What I don't get is that some fans think that somehow other fans "dropping their standards" has an effect on results/ the real world.

I have "dropped my standards" since the late 80s because we are not in the same position financially compared to other clubs as we were then. Then we were recent League Champions, the most recently successful in Europe (pre-Heysel ban) and one of the Big 5 that pushed for the creation of the Premier League.

In 1990, I expected us to win the league once Kendall came back for Mk II. That was delusional because I didn't realise the state of the club (pre-internet).

Now we know – I see the financial accounts; I see the revenue numbers others publish. We cannot compete at the top level at the moment (unless lucky lightening strike like Leicester). This is a fact. Deal with it or not... it's up to you, but don't moan at others who accept this reality. It's nothing to do with Moyes or Kenwright managing our expectations down (and Walter Smith did the same, in fact, more so) – they're just explaining reality.

If facts don't support your world view...change your world view.

John Wells
46 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:19:11
I think the important thing to look at here is the way the players who have played under him talk about him.

I love this business of spotting a possible weakness in the named team you are playing and walking through situations where you can exploit that weakness quickly, everyone ready as if they have been handed a script. Obviously, games won't always go as expected but having that one or two moves in the locker can win a tight game.

I remember the night they beat Arsenal in the Champions League and I just thought it was so cool that a young manager did that. I'm happy to give him a go and hope everyone does.

With regards getting a Simone who I love I get the impression he was sounded out but as a poster above mentioned I don't think one of the elite will come to us right now so I hope (and pray!) that Silva can come here and become an elite.

We are going to improve I feel but most important thing is the clear out, we must clear out some of these pricks that are just jogging around taking the piss as no manager will succeed with them. We do need that commanding figure in the middle with the smarts but we need pace around him. Lookman should not be sold, give this man a chance with him.

Also one thing is Niasse was the biggest joke in the league a few years ago and the abuse here was pretty bad but he went to Hull and his goals for them were vital; it was Silva who brought him up to scratch. Niasse saved us a few times this season and I'm not suggesting he is our main man but he is a good man to bring on.

Steve Ferns
47 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:25:38
Every manager is a risk, David. Even Big Sam was a risk, albeit with an easy brief of "keeping up" a team already up to 13th and with a £250m squad.

What's the purpose of these forums? It's to speak to Everton fans, and discuss things. We aren't talking to Everton. When I was advocating for Silva from early on, I was trying to persuade you guys that he's actually a decent coach. I wasn't trying to persuade Everton to hire him.

So, guys who are still opposed to him coming in, who are you talking to? What are you trying to achieve? It's been obvious for a while now that Silva is going to be the manager. The delay was not because Everton wanted to speak to other candidates; the delay was over contractual issues with Watford.

This can be shown by the press reports that Everton have now reached an agreement with Watford. Due to a clause in Silva's Watford contract, it's been suggested for a while that Silva would be appointed on Friday (1st June) and coincidently (or not) this is also the day that Brands is appointed.

Please, guys, let the new regime come in and give them a chance. Let Silva and Brands set about trying to salvage something from this expensively assembled squad, from the youth players, and then supplement things by bringing in new players to plug the gaps.

Jamie Evans
48 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:26:53
It's going to be an improvement. It simply has to be after the dross of last season.

Let's stick together ToffeeWebbers and try to be patient.

Hopefully 'The Kid' will make us all proud again.

Jer Kiernan
49 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:27:14
David @42

How many mass protestations have happened in said 30 years? How many walkouts?

There is a direct correlation with fans being "used" to losing and their expectations dropping which is natural, it also facilitates a non entity like BK to allow our club to float around aimlessly for 30 years, making woeful financial an footballing decisions.

The point is, we finally have some financial clout we need to throw off these shackles, Moshiri has the money to attract a top manager; if he does not, then what's the point?

And what I feel is the horrifying truth of the whole matter is that we, as TW bloggers, seem to have discussed and reviewed this decision more than the Board who appear to have spoken to only one candidate whose record is at best "questionable".

Anyways, I have said my piece; I hope he succeeds but wish the Board had aimed higher and failed than just not weighed up all options – or at least looked at more than one candidate.

Steve Ferns
50 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:34:25
@David Ellis, my memories only go as far back as the 80s, so with regards to this dropping of standards, can someone please enlighten me as to when we set this standard?

Koeman was a big name, big reputation manager, but prior to Southampton that was the extent of what his reputation could land him. So he was hardly the massive coup, the "Hollywood manager" we were led to believe that he was.

Go back before him, Walter Smith arrived with a truck load of trophies in Scotland, but he was hardly a top level manager that we landed to everyone else's frustration. Even Kendall Mark I was a big gamble on a lower league manager with a growing reputation, but a massive history with us.

That's where I draw the line in talking with any real confidence. But if I look at the managers before him, never once did we appoint a manager with a 1st Division trophy to his name.

So correct me if I'm wrong, but Walter Smith was the first manager we ever appointed with League titles to his name, Ronald Koeman was the second, and Marco Silva will be the third. So, I fail to see how we have lowered standards. Aren't we doing what we have always done and tried to appoint a manager on what he can do, not on what he has done (Big Sam aside)?

David Graves
51 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:37:37
Steve, I have no problem at all with people advocating managers and I enjoy reading the debate that follows. I commend you for your enthusiasm towards him and your detailed analysis of Silva's career to date!

I am not in any way getting in an argument early so that I can be in the "told you so camp" if there are concerns further down the line.

I am sure that he does have potential and perhaps, given the current status of the club, potential is all we can hope for. What I am doing is taking issue with those that claim he did a good job at Watford and, to a certain extent, Hull. Because he didn't.

Steve Brown
52 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:47:03
Well, the heavily backed favourite in a one-horse race will cross the finish line this week. A curious way to go about recruiting our manager and I feel like we have been here before with Martinez.

He will have to improve massively on his performance with Hull and Watford, but at least we will get to watch some football that is attractive, hopefully.

Steve Brown
53 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:51:53
Steve @ 50, don't overdo the "Silva is a title-winning manager" line. Olympiakos have won the Greek League 44 times!
Sam Hoare
54 Posted 30/05/2018 at 11:54:30
David @44 – if you are talking about his record though you obviously cannot include just the last 10 games, which admittedly were terrible once he'd had his head turned, which is a concern.

His overall record at Watford was certainly not great but neither was it "shite" as others have described given the context.

His win rate there was 30.8% which obviously is not fantastic but is much better than their overall Premier League win record which is about 24% and comparable to their 2016 record which was 31.5%. All this despite the team imploding somewhat after it looked liked he was going to leave.

His overall record at Watford was basically pretty Watford. Mediocre. Not inspiring, I'll grant you, but in no way was it the car crash that many would like to believe.

Victor Jones
55 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:03:27
Looks like Silva is going to be our next manager. I'm not really sure about this guy. But there again, who is? He could be anything. It's how he ended at Watford that bothers me. Not really great reading. And I suppose he did have Watford playing on the front foot. They had goals in them but they also conceded far too many goals. I remember them being on the wrong end of 4-3, 5-3, and a few 3-2 scorelines. All very entertaining, I'm sure. But I don't want that at Everton. It's all about Winning football matches. So it's 1-0 wins for me ahead of glorious 4-3 defeats. Entertainment is great only when we win.

So is Silva a good manager? Again, who knows? Let's hope that at least that he is a lucky manager. Because for now that would do for me. Let's hope that he does get us attacking and that he does not neglect the defensive side of the game. Let's hope that he offloads our duds and not our few gems (as I fear that Allardyce would have). And one DMF at a time on the pitch would do. And let's hope that this is not yet another manager using Everton as a stepping stone to perceived greater things. Silva can achieve greatness with us; no need to look elsewhere.

So I'm not really sure about this guy. But all we can do is back him. No other choice really. And one thing in his favour. He is not Martinez, Koeman, or (God forbid) Allardyce. He's a fresh start. That's what we all need after last season; another new dawn. I approach next season with caution. Let's just start winning football matches. That's a start. We cannot be as poor as what we have been can we? Up The Toffees.

Steve Ferns
56 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:07:44
I think he did do a good job at Hull, David. He made them play to a mid-table standard that, if replicated over 38 matches, would have had them 14th and with 45 points. He did that with a team that had been bottom and hadn't won for months. It was a remarkable turnaround.

In order to actually keep them up, he would have needed to put in results that would have been of a standard that would that would have been European form. Remember he was in charge of Hull. The Hull fans still have high opinions of him, so surely this tells you he did a good job?

As for Watford, you have to take his time as a whole. That means, he was in 10th. 10th being good enough for Watford's third best season ever, and their best in the Premier League era. But, you are right, they were on a dreadful run. I remember posting at the time that this was not necessarily a bad thing.

For me, the big question about Silva is does he have the ability to turn things around when things go wrong. At Estoril it all went perfect, he went up and up. At Sporting there was no real rocky patch as he lost only 2 games. At Olympiacos he won 28 of 30. Therefore, there was no real test of his mettle. At Hull he had a bad run at the end, but it was at the end.

What I wanted to see is what happened at Watford, a bit of bad luck, a run of results which could have gone either way actually going against you (as often happens at Everton) the pressure building on him, and then to see if he has the skills to take that on and to actually turn it around and come out the other side. For all of his many failings, Allardyce is brilliant at that. Same with Moyes.

Silva never got a chance to show if he could. Watford sacked him in the middle of it. Now, let's be clear, they didn't sack him because he's shit. The fans are not saying he's shit either. They are saying that we interfered and made it difficult for him, for them and for their players.

I don't accept this stuff about Silva "got his head turned" and the insinuations as if he downed tools. What I think the problem was, sure this is conjecture, is that the players lost their belief in him. The article in The Times says players were knocking on his door asking if he would take them to Everton. That's not his doing, that's the media storm taking over. So how can the players not lose focus thinking the manager is about to leave and suddenly they go from playing above themselves to playing within themselves?

At this level losing 5% of performance can be devastating. Is it not possible that the media storm did cause the drop off in performance and so Silva's position was untenable?

Watford clearly believed so. They got rid of the media storm by getting rid of Silva. But results did not improve, so what does that tell you about Watford's players?

All managers have bad spells. Find one that didn't. Sure, you can point to Guardiola and Zidane. But look at the likes of Conte, who was relegated twice. A bad spell does not mean a manager is bad.

Sure, there are questions about how Silva will do, especially when certain circumstances arise. I think Silva is a gamble worth taking because of what he brings to the table. Of all the other candidates (the ones we suggested on here), how many have the skills needed to operate within the system we are about to execute? Who can come in and work with the players we have and turn them around and chase the top 6? I think Silva is the best fit for the job.

Steve Ferns
57 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:12:23
Steve Brown, but of all the 44 title-winning managers at Olympiacos, who won the league most emphatically? Silva. He won the league setting a load of records in Greece and across Europe.

If you're going to win the league in Greece, then win it in a way that people can't belittle your achievements. Also, note that Olympiacos came 3rd this season.

Brent Stephens
58 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:14:08
Steve (#52) – are you saying we didn't consider or try for anybody else? If so, how do you know?

And surely you're not saying we went for him because he's heavily backed in the betting? What did we do that's curious?

Kenny Smith
59 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:14:48
I think some on here are forgetting that we can't offer European football in any form. Therefore, we can't attract the best out there and people's candidates are not really candidates, are they, let's be honest.

We're back where we were when appointing Martinez and Koeman – miles away from the top 4. We have to cut our cloth accordingly and do all we can to bridge the gap with the best options available in both the playing staff we bring in and the coaching set-up.

I for one would be more than happy with a season like Martinez's first one. I think that's all we can wish for. Let's get behind Silva and Brands – this ship is going to take time to turn around...

Brent Stephens
60 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:18:23
Kenny (#59), I agree. The best managers we can't attract. And we're not going to appoint the likes of Unsy or Howe, I hope. If it's Silva I'll not be unhappy with that.
Steve Ferns
61 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:22:55
New Sky Sports Article on Silva

New interviews here with a player from Estoril, Olympiacos, and Ryan Mason of Hull.

Remember, Hull were managed by Mike Phelan immediately prior to Silva. Phelan would have you believe that he was a massive part of Man Utd winning the league (last time they did it), as he was the lead coach, with Alex Ferguson spending most of his time away from the training pitch.

Phelan had all that expertise to draw on, and yet it was Silva who was clearly the better coach, with better methods and a greater attention to detail.

Dave Elliott
62 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:23:07
Any manager from abroad without any previous Premier League experience would be a risk. At least Silva has some experience in the Premier League. It also seems he prefers an attacking option to his teams as opposed to shut-out Sam.

I think we all should get behind him and give him our full support. Brands will be looking at the ins and outs at the club and Silva will be left to get on with the playing side of things.

Hi Ho, Silva away!!!!!

David Graves
63 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:24:02
Sam, I refer to his last 3 months in charge because Watford had gone into a flat spin which he couldn't get them out of. I don't care if his head was turned or key players were upset that he wasn't going to bring them to Everton. It may well have been a difficult and challenging time for him but he failed the challenge. I think he had a further 16 games in charge during which he won 2 didn't he?

I lived and worked in Watford some years ago and the guys I keep in contact with don't have any animosity towards Silva. In fact, most (only a small sample I admit) would agree that he is a decent bloke and they played some good football at times but he just couldn't handle the pressure when it came on.

Derek Knox
64 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:41:09
Steve @61,

Okay, okay, you have convinced me – and probably many others on TW – you are definitely his agent!

Darren Murphy
65 Posted 30/05/2018 at 12:42:44
Be gone by Christmas... muhahaha!
Steve Brown
66 Posted 30/05/2018 at 13:19:51
Steve @57, true they did finish 3rd. Things went downhill the minute Mirallas showed up!

Seriously, good luck to Silva as we desperately need sustained improvement.

Greg Hasbrouck
67 Posted 30/05/2018 at 13:19:58
The reality is none of us knows what Silva is capable of with access to the type of financial resources and players he will likely have at Everton. That said, I take solace in a few things:

One, we at least got the guy who was our first choice.

Two, Brands has clearly signed off on this and there's every reason to believe he knows what he's doing.

Three, we made this happen quickly and before the opening of the transfer window.

Tony Everan
68 Posted 30/05/2018 at 13:22:08
Marco Silva wanted to come to us from the off, he has turned down other offers to come to Everton. He deserves our support while he is turning Everton into his team playing his way.

This won't happen overnight; the team won't be truly his until next season. He needs time and patience from us supporters and we will then reap dividends.

I am delighted Mr Moshiri has taken decisive action, he deserves some credit. The appointments of Brands and Silva give me reason to be optimistic after the Koeman - Walsh partnership.

I am expecting gradual improvement, challenging the top 6 teams, getting some results against them. Never lying down to any team. Most of all I am now looking forward to the new season; last season there was no excitement before any game.

Marco Silva will have my full and unwavering support. I am a dreamer but I think with 2 or 3 shrewd quality signings we can have a great season top six and a trophy. That's for starters.

Come on, you Blue Boys!

Craig Walker
69 Posted 30/05/2018 at 13:32:56
I still find the appointment of Silva a bit underwhelming. I've read lots of contributions on TW and I'm still not convinced. I have concerns about him both if it doesn't go well and if it goes really well.

What happens if he starts getting talked about for bigger jobs around Europe? Will his head be turned again? We all thought Koeman was using us as a stepping-stone for the Barcelona job and that didn't turn out too well. I remember Martinez being talked about as Wenger's replacement sometime in 2013. This appointment feels very much like Roberto Mk II.

If he starts badly, has he got the temperament to deal with 40,000 fans at home giving him stick? With all due respect, the expectations at Everton are far bigger than at Hull or Watford. I'm not so sure he'll be able to handle it in a football hotbed like Merseyside.

I seriously hope I'm wrong and he's as good as Steve Ferns says he is but I'm surprised that our search didn't include other candidates like Dyche, Benitez, Howe, Arteta etc.

William Gall
70 Posted 30/05/2018 at 14:06:52
Well whether we wanted him or not he seems that he is the manager that the owner and the new DoF seem in favor of, and we should understand that this is not a 6month project, and give him our full support.

It has been said often what a shambles the clubs senior management had created, and with the reorganization and hopefully with more to come, that Mr Moshiri and his new DoF Brands have appointed Silva with a long-term plan to change the direction to where a club like Everton belong in the Premier League.

There has been lots of suggestions on who we should have hired but we are not aware of who the club has talked to. and if they did not want to come, so let's give the new man a chance and get behind him through the good times and the bad, if he is showing improvements with a long-term plan.

We may have finished 8th in the league but many of us feel that was a higher position than our standard of play deserved. The club has sound support, financial backing and what seems to be the right direction at the boardroom level, that may have more change in the future, so let's hope that the rebuilding of the club can start, with the understanding that it will not happen overnight.

As the saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day".

John Kavanagh
71 Posted 30/05/2018 at 14:22:58
Well it looks done and dusted, so good luck to Brands and Silva for the season ahead. As this will be a transitional season, I'd readily accept a fall to 14th place, so long as we play some decent entertaining football. More importantly, get decent performances and one or two results against the so-called top clubs. Cup runs would be nice.

The most immediate problem is to try to get shut of the human Polyfilla in the squad; Mirallas, Bolasie, Schneiderlin, Williams etc. who merely fill spaces at great cost but not much else.

The most positive change already is Brands's emphasis on developing our young players. It's now up to them to prove themselves. Getting Lookman back and into the squad is a must after the Allardyce experience to show that we're back in the business of playing football.

Ash Moore
72 Posted 30/05/2018 at 14:27:40
I don't know. I'm hopeful, because, at the very least, this guy has a discernible style of play he will impose on the team. Koeman and Allardyce did not have a fucken clue between them, let alone a style of play, a tempo or a formation they were committed to. I believe that alone will yield improvement.

I'm also hopeful that the new model (Brands/Silva) will enable the squad to get technically better, and we might sign some guys who can actually play a bit. No offense to Williams and Niasse, this squad is crying out for quality. A Mahrez or similar would add a lot to this group.

Look at the league table the year Moyes finished fourth, then look at the list of managers that year. Moyes finished behind only Fergie, Wenger and Mourinho. Benitez finished fifth. The rest of the league's managers is grim reading, a Who's Who of failure. Pearce. Souness. Bryan Robson. McClaren. Hughes. Bruce. Allardyce. Iain Dowie! In retrospect, it's not a huge shock we did finish fourth that year, is it?

Looking at Silva relative to the rest of the league, could we shock the world again? Unproven Emery, Mourinho, Pocchetino, Klopp, Guardiola... Does anyone else see any other teams gaffers they'd prefer to Silva?

Karen Mason
73 Posted 30/05/2018 at 14:28:41
Some good arguments for & against. It's a fact that some people are naturally negative by nature, others are naturally positive in their outlook on football and life in general. I fall into the naturally "positve by nature" camp.

I would say to the people not happy about Silva, with the argument 'hasn't won anything': If he was 60+ age wise and hadn't won anything, I may feel your argument had legs. However, he is a young man in football terms, so at least give him a chance.

This new set up with a DOF and a Head Coach, rather than a Manager, is a whole new world for our club. If it's not broken – don't fix it. But it was broken, and now at least those at the top are doing something to try to fix it. Give them credit for that.

Lastly, fans do have an effect on a club, so we can either get behind and support all the changes coming in, to give it it's best possible chance of success. Or maybe if you are in the negative camp, the wise thing to do is keep tight-lipped, until a chance has at least been given, so that nobody is undermined. Unless of course, having the bragging rights of 'I told you so,' is your priority...

Hands up if you are in the positive camp and willing to at least give the big changes happening a chance, without standing in judgement beforehand. I'm in!!

John Pierce
75 Posted 30/05/2018 at 14:53:32
Steve Ferns, I enjoy most of your posts – a mix of the technical and the emotional often worthy of a read.

On this particular subject perhaps, you have gone from your early advocacy of Silva to a preacher who has become over zealous?

With the deal all but done, there is very few people in the ‘undecided' who left to convince. You are preaching at the converted and raging at the opposing view, losing your normally persuasive argument.

Come on lad, change it up!

My 2 pennies: my trust is on the structure not the coach. Be it Silva or whoever, the bench mark of aggressive football with attacking intent and a minimum of 7th with European football or you're out. We keep going until we find someone who can achieve it.

The market and football moves forward every season, standing still, patience and time only leaves us further behind. And I might add an approach which has seen us tread water and win nothing for 20 odd years. Proactive, aggressive risk-taking is the way to catch up.

Uncomfortable, yes... but necessary.

Peter Warren
76 Posted 30/05/2018 at 15:04:01
Steve Ferns – i think you should listen to John Pierce. Most people like your posts, whether in agreement or not, but you're becoming overbearing.
Steve Ferns
77 Posted 30/05/2018 at 15:05:47
Noted.
John Pierce
78 Posted 30/05/2018 at 15:09:18
Peter, no one should listen to me! I’m as changeable as the wind!
Len Hawkins
79 Posted 30/05/2018 at 15:22:15
Jer (#21),

I never said Chelsea were crap for 30 years, I said "they had more managers than I had hot dinners over the last 30 years and won a hell of a lot more than Everton" — which equates to they swapped managers like changing underpants whilst Everton had a certain amount of stability but won nowt.

Michael Kenrick
80 Posted 30/05/2018 at 15:23:16
Greg (#69),

Sorry about your Number Three, but the transfer window opened for us back on May 17.

Jer Kiernan
81 Posted 30/05/2018 at 15:45:41
@Len

I don't know if we have crossed wires here but I agree with you on pointing that out, Chelsea are ruthless (probably in the extreme) with managers but you cannot say they have accepted anything but the best — which is supposed to be our motto.

Also to note, as my above posts relate, I am not happy with the fact that we have basically handed this to Silva without any other serious candidates considered by the looks of things; it's not the right way to appoint for any role.

But make no mistake — if he is appointed, I will be 100% behind him and the team and he will have a clean slate with me as regards Watford, Hull etc.

I will gladly eat humble pie should I be proved wrong, and any other pies that are going... :b


Tony Everan
82 Posted 30/05/2018 at 16:49:42
Steve Ferns (#77),

Ball bags, your posts and a few others act as a counterbalance to the “not my choice, waiting to say ‘I told you' so brigade”.

The posts defending Silva as a sound choice out of the managers who actually wanted the job are justified. The negativity can't go unanswered.

We all would like to tempt the likes of Simeone, Emery, Tuchel but they have safer, easier options and European football. At the moment, Everton cannot attract them.

With Silva, we have a coach who may not be on the elite level but has the potential to get there. He wants to do it with us. He is the right man at the right time at the right club.

So Steve, thank you for your posts and don't ever be put off batting back negativity. It is welcome.

Iain Johnston
83 Posted 30/05/2018 at 17:19:10
I'm happy for Silva to be our coach/manager for footballing reasons.

My main concern is that if he wanted our job so badly in November after the final compensation bid was offered, why didn't he just resign?

James Hughes
84 Posted 30/05/2018 at 17:22:06
Jon (#78), that is the best post on this thread. Also sums up quite a few on here, myself included.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

85 Posted 30/05/2018 at 17:25:40
Hmmm...

'I-told-you-so-ism'.

Without doubt, it exists and is practised by a few TWers, but it certainly isn't widespread.

Nor is it fair to tarbrush anyone expressing any degree of concern about Marco Silva's appointment, with legitimate supporting evidence, as someone who:

1) doesn't want him at the club;
2) will not support him, if appointed;
3) is being overly negative;
4) is simply preparing the ground to claim 'I told you so' somewhere down the line if it goes mammary glands-up.

There are plenty of hues in the rainbow that arcs from Steve Ferns's evangelistic promotion of Marco Silva, to the most scornful and dismissive of posters on the subject.

Allow one and all to express their opinions without attaching unmerited labels to their views.

Geoff Lambert
86 Posted 30/05/2018 at 17:45:09
Craig (#69),

Who said our search didn't include the other candidates — including Dyche, Benitez, Howe, and Arteta?

Are you in the know? Tell us more.

John Pierce
87 Posted 30/05/2018 at 17:50:43
James! (#84).

TW can be like shouting into an empty room; imagine my surprise when someone shouts back!

Nice one, lad!

Jim Bennings
88 Posted 30/05/2018 at 17:52:34
To be honest, the excitement of getting a new manager has gone now because we have been through too many since Moyes left, the novelty has worn off.

In summer of 2013, with us searching for a new man for the first time in 11 years, it all felt new and fresh about what new ideas could be brought and it would seem strange seeing a new Everton manager after a decade of Moyes.

Who can really say how Silva will fare here? After I was initially very satisfied getting Koeman, the fact that went so badly wrong tells me it's simply pointless getting too excited or over enthusiastic.

Let's just give him time and hopefully he's the answer.

Paul McCoy
89 Posted 30/05/2018 at 17:56:17
I was only too happy to say "I told you so" about Koeman and Allardyce, but I genuinely don't know enough about Silva to say one way or the other whether he'll be a good fit.

I just hope him and Brands can form a great working relationship and we win some games whilst playing something that isn't Fat Sam's brand of 'football'. I'd be satisfied with anything from 6th to 10th next season as long as it's clear we're moving in the right direction and we're developing some future first-team players.

Michael Williams
90 Posted 30/05/2018 at 18:06:43
What I like about this appointment is that Silvia seems to actually want to work at Everton.

We are not going to get a big time manager. We can only hope to get a manager who can help make us big time.

Karen Mason
91 Posted 30/05/2018 at 18:12:09
Hi, Jim at #88,

I'm still excited about getting a new manager!! But, as mentioned before, I am a perpetual optimist, even though I am an Evertonian. :-) Not quite sure how I have managed to remain that way??

I can't wait for the first game of the new season, with a new DOF, new manager, maybe some new inclusions in the squad and to hear Z-Cars ringing in my ears as they run out onto the pitch. Can't come quick enough for me!!!

Kevin Tully
92 Posted 30/05/2018 at 18:20:02
Not getting hung up about where we finish in the League, but, we have to see that any new manager can get a squad of players putting a shift in. Then, we need to see a pattern to our play – something sadly lacking under Koeman and Allardyce. Rooney was playing anywhere from left back to centre forward. It clearly demonstrated the fact that players were all over the shop.

It's not some sort of magical formula, every team at the top plays with the two full-backs getting forward, that would be a start. We've got Seamus; Luke Shaw or Danny Rose would be my other choice. Stop with the 7 defensive players starting every single game. It's brain-numbing. Sigurdsson in the middle, where he's most effective.

Them comes the acid test – our away performances. If we can start matching these teams, both tactically and physically, then it doesn't matter to me if we finish 12th. You can see with your own eyes how far behind we are from the sides above us. If we spend another £100m, and we are still no better to watch than Burnley, then the manager needs to tell us why.

He will be paid top whack, he will have one of the most expensively assembled squads in Europe. Are we asking too much to want to see some decent, entertaining footy?

The only way is up as far as I'm concerned. The last four seasons have been pure, unadulterated tripe. Watching crosses into the box with one attacker up against four defenders has left emotional scars on this Blue. Start with 7 attacking players instead of 7 defenders. That would be a start.

Colin Grierson
93 Posted 30/05/2018 at 18:21:41
Its all about opinions. We're not privy to who the other candidates (if any) were. We didn't preside over any interviews. Even if we did, we would differ on who we thought was the right candidate.

We would struggle to attract somebody who is already at the heights we want to reach; therefore, we have to roll the dice a little. Information one think Silva is a worthwhile gamble. Nothing ventured...

Ian Lang
94 Posted 30/05/2018 at 18:36:59
Mr Moshiri has planned the arrival of Marcel Brands and Marco Silva since last October. Maybe even earlier for Brands considering he was first choice 2 years ago and kept in touch with the club since.

Furthermore, Brands has admitted to monitoring Everton over quite a few months and it's intriguing that Marco Silva has not taken another job since being sacked. I fully believe Silva and Brands have been planning to take over Everton for months and fully expect they know most, if not all the players they want rid of, those to keep and those to target how the structure of the club will work (footballing wise) etc.

Let's all get behind Brands and Silva and the team they establish. I have a feeling this could be the winning combination we need to move forward.

Brands a people person but radiates authority and you can see he has that presence and respect but someone you look at and think yeah don't fuck with him.

Silva, a people person, tactician gets the best out of players good aura about him a proper hands-on coach who WANTS TO COME TO EVERTON.

Soren Moyer
95 Posted 30/05/2018 at 18:40:10
If Marco Silva was responsible for Hull going down, then based on the same logic, Darren Moore should also be blamed for relegating West Brom! And where exactly Watford thought they would finish? Top six?
Pat Kelly
96 Posted 30/05/2018 at 18:54:53
Looks like a done deal so let's get on with it and support the new management team of Brands and Silva.

From what's rumoured elsewhere it will be very much a team with Brands as DoF and Silva as head coach rather than manager.

So those who have doubts about our new "manager" may take some comfort that Brands will be in the driving seat on transfers in and out and the direction of the Club. It will make for a very interesting new departure.

Tony Everan
97 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:06:57
Ian (#94),

It's a big point for me that He wants the Everton job, fancies the challenge, I don't think he has been massively influenced by just money alone.

Koeman was the opposite.

He always gave the impression he didn't want to be here, was doing us a favour. Always distant and dreaming of getting out and the Barça job as fast as possible.

Silva may fail or may be successful but it whatever it is it will be done with passion for the job and a willingness to work for it with every sinew.

It's that passion that radiates to the players and fans and makes things happen.

Jim Bennings
98 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:10:34
Karen (#91),

I know what you mean, staying optimistic as an Evertonian isn't easy but I'm glad you can and you feel excited about new manager.

It's just the way I feel since Moyes left, in summer of 2013 we were stepping into a new chapter after 11 years of one man at the helm brought a bit of excitement and new novelty but we have been through three (four if you count Unsworth) bosses in 5 years so the novelty is gone a bit for me and it's kind of “how long will the new fella last”.

Hopefully Marco Silva can be the man to make us tick and if he can bring back passion, pride, a decent attack and a team with a bit less fear factor against the so-called big six then I'll quickly take a liking to the Portuguese.

Ray Robinson
99 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:12:52
I have to say that I will be underwhelmed by the appointment of Silva for a number of reasons but largely based on an article that I read recently in the Times where it suggested that he was prone to throw his toys about with the bathwater if he didn't get his own way.

He actually performed exceedingly well initially at Hull by largely hiring loan players in the January window, our own Oumar included. But then having dragged Hull to the brink of safety, they collapsed at the end of the season and went down anyway. Reminds me of the Carvahal situation at Swansea. So good – but not good enough.

He then goes onto Watford where again his team start off like a train on fire only to implode at Goodison after leading 2-0 and then go on a disastrous streak. I don't buy this "he was distracted by Everton's interest" excuse. If he was so easily distracted, then that ranks as outright lack of professionalism, if he wasn't, it was a catastrophic lack of form by his team.

I don't know much about his time abroad but it strikes me that he doesn't tend to spend too much time in any one place – which again gives me misgivings. As Steve Fearns suggested if Moshiri's objective is now to hire a person who will coach potential players rather than adopt the Koeman model which appears to have been to hire experienced, off-the-peg, ready-to-go players, then surely we should be looking at someone with more staying power to provide the continuity? Perhaps a British appointment might have been more sensible with this approach?

There's just something about the appointment that concerns me. I genuinely hope that I am wrong and will give the guy all the support he needs but, if things do go belly up, there'll be no Allardyce to bail us out at the end of it. I've just got to trust and hope. Pretty much the lot of an Evertonian really.

Bill Gienapp
100 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:45:28
I agree with Mike (#25) – a few too many of these "I don't want Silva, but I'll get behind him if he's appointed" claims feel like they come with a big, fat asterisk attached that signifies "... until he loses his first match, then I'll be demanding his head on a platter."

As I've argued before, I think people need to be more open to the idea that Silva could be the best fit in terms of what the club *needs* at this particular juncture. Even if you don't subscribe to Steve Ferns's pro-Silva arguments, I don't see how you could challenge his fundamental point that we need a coach who'll get his hands dirty on the training pitch. That's not an Ancelotti or a Pellegrini, so when people clamor for them, it makes me think that all they care about is how impressive their CV looks.

Soren (95) – likewise, you might as well argue that Rafa got Newcastle relegated. Sure, he only had ten matches in charge, but hey – if he'd simply beaten Aston Villa (they drew) and drew Norwich City (they lost), who were the two worst teams in the league that season, they would have stayed up. So...

Susong Hermawan
101 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:46:11
Wow.. exciting!
Darren Hind
102 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:48:05
When was the last time a top club announced a managerial appointment which took everyone by surprise? It simply doesn't happen anymore.

Let's not kid ourselves. If Moshiri had spoken to anybody else, somebody, somewhere would have reported it. Moshiri has had all of his eggs in the one basket for months

This is a fantastic starting position for anybody taking over the reigns at Goodison. It seems impossible not to improve on the shite we have witnessed over the past 2-3 years.

But I'd bet big money there'll be no I-told-you-so's from either side of the house in the future. We have all seen how difficult it is to get relegated from this league, so that won't be happening..., but we also know that, by hiring a second-rater who none of the top boys would touch, we are turning our backs on an attempt to crash the party.

Moshiri – "Pretty it up a little, there's a good chap. Even if we get to Bramley-Moore Dock, I won't get top dollar for my shares if we continue to be perceived as the league's ugliest duckling."

I can remember Phil Walling getting slaughtered for saying we will finish seventh. Not long after that, we had a whole army of fans claiming it was acceptable and excusable... now, we have people who are actually calling for it.

Unlike Moshiri's last couple of appointments, this one won't end up in tears... It's not enough, it's not enough.



Rob B Williams
103 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:49:50
Steve Ferns (#47) – 'I was trying to persuade you guys that he's actually a decent coach'
'It's been obvious for a while now that Silva is going to be the manager.'

Two conflicting statements Steve.

If I am to throw my weight behind Silva it will be because of your first statement – that he is a decent coach – hopefully better than decent!

Under the new regime of Moshiri & Brands with a decent/excellent coach we can do away with the 'manager in the cupboard' scenario – we can also do away with the Boys Pen Bill "I'm in charge" scenario that in the past worked with limited success (did I just say that!) and get a real Chairman with a real Board of Directors that will drive this once great club forward and achieve all our dreams.

Looking forward to a new brand(s) of football that leads to a Silva (sic) lining... phew.

Rob B Williams
104 Posted 30/05/2018 at 19:58:20
Steve Ferns,

Never been an advocate of the llllooooonnnnggg posts – if you can't say it in a few sentences, it's probably not worth reading. I for one find your OTT support of a potential next manager rather annoying and leads me to wonder whether you have some ulterior motive for your over-enthusiasm.

Less is more, imho.

Jay Harris
105 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:03:37
I am underwhelmed with Silva's appointment and was always in favour of enticing Emery and possibly Monchi for a reunion. However, whether anyone better was approached we will never know.

I do believe the structure and individuals caused a lot of the malaise we endured during the last few years with Kenwright being the main culprit wanting to run the show and I am sure undermining the manager.

This new structure will help in that regard but I am still concerned who the players will turn to. Will it be Brands or Silva.

I hope the roles and relationships are clearly defined.

Peter Anthony
106 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:08:32
Steve Ferns,

Thank you for giving me a far greater knowledge of Marco Silva and reasons to be cheerful accordingly.

After the dark clouds, here's to Silva lining our trophy cabinet.

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆.

Some may say I'm a dreamer, but I am not the only one.

Up the Toffees.

Kunal Desai
107 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:12:11
The key here has to be a manager who needs to be consistent for more than just one season. We need continuity and progression. If we can get a couple 6th/7th place finishes under Silva and make an appearance or two in a couple of cup finals then this will give Moshiri the selling point to a top class manager to take the club even further forward, dependent ofcourse if Silva sees out three years. Sadly we are going to have to go back to the Moyes days of being consistent in the league for more than just one season and build from there.
Seb Niemand
108 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:18:38
Must we? Really, must we?

I see Martinez #2 coming up...

George Cumiskey
109 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:22:34
Like I've said before, don't worry about Silva he's not coming on his own, he's promised to bring the Lone Ranger and Tonto with him.

Can't see anyone messing with those three, there ain't no stopping us now.

Hiho Silva and away.

Jimmy Hogan
110 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:39:52
1960s - mean average league position - 6th
1970s - 8th/9th
1980s - 7th
1990s - 12th
2000s - 10th
2010s - 8th

Are we as big a club as we think we are? There were some highs and lows in there. Winning the league in 1963, 1970, 1985 and 1987, but an awful lot of lows as well. I'll settle for 7th and good football with a decent cup run thrown in and hopefully build from there.

Geoff Lambert
111 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:41:56
At this moment in time, I would settle for some exciting attacking football next season. If we get beat having a go, that's okay with me, so long as we can see progression and a plan for the long term.

Will Silva deliver that for us?

Hold the back page!!!

Andy Crooks
112 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:42:27
It would be Howe for me. Not because I can later say I told you so. Just my view which I have stated and backed up on other threads. Our owner wants Silva and he is it. I back him 100% and will never refer to Howe again.

Silva is a risk as would any other coach including Emery or Benitez. I believe he needs time and support. I have a good feeling. All will be well. Moshiri got it wrong, bit the bullet and started again. We need a good coach and a lot of luck. We are due some. I believe it is our turn.

David Williams
113 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:43:08
Silva, Brands, Moshiri and the Russian Bond villain we have on the board will get Everton back on track within the year. The clear-out has started, just need Kenwright out too.
Geoff Lambert
114 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:46:21
Jimmy (#110),

And if you know your history!!!

Between 1972-73 and 1990-91 Liverpool finished outside the top two in the top division just once, winning the title 11 times.

Arsenal and Everton follow behind with 8.78 and 9.71 average finishes.

Everton are one of 10 current league clubs who have played all 115 seasons since the league began in 1888-89.


Martin Nicholls
115 Posted 30/05/2018 at 20:51:18
Jimmy (#110) – mean average of between 6th and 12th over seven decades in the top division indicates that we are a massive Club... I doubt there's more than three or four others with such a consistent record.
Len Hawkins
116 Posted 30/05/2018 at 21:02:04
I'm amazed no one has mentioned Avram Grant, it would have made Tiny Tears very happy if Grant was walking round the place singing his favourite song: "If I were a rich man... debedebedebede".
Amit Vithlani
117 Posted 30/05/2018 at 21:12:13
For me, Brands has to be the key. Silva is being touted as a pure coach. Fine, as he lacks the presence and track record anyway to lead a football club with grand ambitions like ours. Brands will hopefully use his judgement to axe the underperformers, pick out the rough diamonds, trim the squad and get some discipline and order into what is a chaotic structure.

Its a very German structure – at Bayern, the big personalities like Rummenigge and Hoeness operate in the corridors, whilst the track-suit is donned by low key guys like Heynckes, Kovac and Lattek. The experiments with bigger personalities like Guardiola and Ancelotti failed so Bayern reverted to type.

Silva will need Brands to keep egos in check so he can focus on technical matters. Walsh was a glorified scout who could do no such thing, meaning Koeman and Allardyce had to adopt a leadership role leaving training to their No 2s.

So if Silva lives up to his billing as a good coach and Brands proves to be an able leader, the whole thing might actually work...

Paul Birmingham
118 Posted 30/05/2018 at 21:21:57
Jim @88 and 98, my view too.

Let’s back the new boss 100%, and hope this reign will be one to remember for genuine good reasons, in terms of the club progressing, on and off the park.

Mike Allison
119 Posted 30/05/2018 at 21:40:53
I feel like I said this last week (and possibly the week before), but how are so many of you so passionately involved and convinced of things we simply do not know?

None of you know how good Silva will be as Everton manager. He could be brilliant, he could be terrible, he could be anything in between. And none of us know. Where does the certainty come from?

Peter Thistle
120 Posted 30/05/2018 at 21:48:15
We couldn't attract a fat ugly sweaty bird at the moment so we'll have to settle for this Plain Jane and hope she turns out to be a great shag.
Paul Mackay
121 Posted 31/05/2018 at 02:32:20
Howe was my first choice but look forward to some fresh thinking, let’s hope it leads to some decent footy.
Gary Russell
122 Posted 31/05/2018 at 02:36:45
June 1st tomorrow, Brands first day in office. Seems likely he will do his first presser with the Silva next to him. Let's hope so. We don't half drag things out.
Andrew Haizelden
123 Posted 31/05/2018 at 05:21:38
I've always thought we need the defensive qualities of.a David Moyes team and the attacking qualities of a Roberto Martinez team.

This is where Martinez went so wrong and Moyes appeared to not have the confidence to do.

Steve Brown
124 Posted 31/05/2018 at 07:28:00
Andrew (#123), spot on. That is what we had in Martinez's first season before he decided to change the defensive game plan. He had the balance right for a period and we finished fifth.
David Williams
125 Posted 31/05/2018 at 07:42:49
So no announcement. Get it sorted Everton. Other clubs are signing players and yet again we are being left behind. Massive Summer and season ahead for us all. Can't help but think this dithering has Kenwright written all over it.
Kevin Jones
126 Posted 31/05/2018 at 08:00:27
I'm an optimist, always have been, and I have a very good feeling about the appointment of Marco. We've had too many false dawns over the last few years.

I'm excited about the coming season and I hope everyone gets behind the manager and the players. Always remember ladies and gentlemen boys and girls, there's an old Maori saying:

“Turn Your Face To The Sun And The Shadows Fall Behind You”


Bobby Mallon
127 Posted 31/05/2018 at 08:30:16
Kunai @ 107, since 04-05 season we have finished outside the top 8 three times: 05-06, 14-15, and 15-16 finishing 11th. We have also finished 4th once; 5th and 6th on two occasions; 7th three times; and 8th twice.

In that time, we have got to 4 semi-finals and came runners-up in the FA Cup. I would say we have been a top 8-6 side for a decade.

Marc Hints
128 Posted 31/05/2018 at 08:45:01
The only thing that worries me is the time it is taking to announce a new manager and get transfers started. Teams are already signing players of quality and we seem to be doing nothing as usual waiting.
Martin Nicholls
129 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:00:52
Marc (#128) — do you not think the delay in announcing Silva as manager might be because he is "tied" to Watford until today?
Tony Sullivan
130 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:04:59
Marc Hints (#128) I seem to remember the club being congratulated, about this time last year, for signing players early in the window. That went well, didn't it?
Tony Everan
131 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:14:26
I think the transfer situation will have been going on behind the scenes anyway. Brands and Silva will have done homework before their official start date. Preliminary moves will have been made towards investigating what players we want.

It will be important to the club to move on quite a few players too. I don't want skulkers lingering around who won't move due to being still on a contract. Ways and means have to be found to find a solution that is best for all parties. This transfer window is a big challenge to Marcel Brands in many respects.

Craig Walker
132 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:15:26
Geoff @86. I don't have any inside knowledge on who we looked at but we've appeared to be focussed on getting Silva since last season and he appears to be Moshiri's first choice. I'm just questioning why he's the favoured candidate.
Sam Hoare
133 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:20:32
Last summer we moved pretty quickly in the market but arguably it was our worst transfer window in years! Would rather we made the right decisions than the fastest decisions.
Colin Glassar
134 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:21:28
If Brands and Silva are to be our Dynamic Duo, then they have to move quickly and push Boys Pen Bill and his cronies out of the door and as far away as possible from any transfer dealings.

Then they have to put football neophyte Moshiri in his high chair and tell him to be quiet and to just sign the cheques.

Marc Hints
135 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:35:20
Martin (#129),

Yes, maybe... I didn't think he was tied to Watford at all though as he was sacked.

Tony (#130),

Yes, good point; I had tried to forget about last summer. Maybe I am wrong and we should take our time this summer?

Martin Nicholls
136 Posted 31/05/2018 at 09:55:06
Marc – I read somewhere that they put him on gardening leave and that he's tied to them until today. Who knows?

On another note, I see Lampard got the Derby County job. A few weeks back, he claimed he had no interest in management – I wouldn't be surprised if he's not got relevant badges but that FA will turn the Nelsonian eye because of who he is.

He and Slippy, neither of whom have real experience, get "big" jobs while Unsy is offered Oxford Utd – a bit like the way these favoured few are allowed to infiltrate the media!

Marc Hints
137 Posted 31/05/2018 at 10:00:21
Martin (#136),

Ah okay, that makes sense if he is on gardening leave. I didn't know that – just thought he was sacked months ago. So yes, maybe you're right and that's why he can't officially be announced until tomorrow, and the fact it is Marcel Brands's first day.

Bobby Mallon
138 Posted 31/05/2018 at 10:29:17
Martin Nichols — why shouldn't those two be given good jobs?
Derek Knox
139 Posted 31/05/2018 at 10:34:33
Martin Nicholls @136, your last paragraph encapsulates something that has pissed me off for years, these so-called experts (jobs for the boys) on these panels, stating the absolutely obvious.

"If he had only passed to the player on his left or right, it would have been a certain goal" with a replay of the chance, and the benefit of technical assistance.

Millions of people watching the match are well aware of what went on without their unwanted inane comments.

The same on any new TV show especially a quiz type, inevitably they turn it into a Celebrity version in no time at all.

Dave Ganley
141 Posted 31/05/2018 at 11:13:14
I'm cautiously optimistic about the Silva appointment. I have to admit he wouldn't be my first choice but, from what I have read, he is a good man manger and players want to play for him. Hopefully the Watford debacle whereby they slumped after we approached was an exception rather than the rule.

As for how he will work with Brands, well I can't for one minute imagine that Brands would have taken on the role without any knowledge of who the manager would be and also without him okaying the appointment. I would guess that he's had extensive talks with Silva as to how it will work and whether he can work with Silva.

Nothing is a given in football but I feel we are finally heading in the right direction after the last 4 years of tedium and that we can have a competitive team again. Brands has stated about the emphasis on younger players and has also stated that he will be the one to have the say on who will be coming in. I like the "the buck stops with me" impression he is giving out.

I also imagine that Silva will be happy with the working arrangements – otherwise, he wouldn't be coming on board. I'm looking forward to seeing how next season pans out now and while I'm not expecting massive changes I am expecting a massive change in attitude and how we play. Most of all, though, I expect us to be competitive again. Onwards and upwards.

Jimmy Hogan
142 Posted 31/05/2018 at 11:16:46
If Silva is on Gardening Leave until tomorrow, that implies he resigned, rather than was sacked.

Traditionally, Gardening Leave is used when an employee has indicated he wants to work for a competitor and needs to see out a notice period. The employer will then instruct him not to come into work for the duration of the notice period. This would confirm what those on here suspect, ie, Silva has been in the frame since day one.

Brian Williams
143 Posted 31/05/2018 at 11:37:23
Jimmy (#142),

I have to say, mate, in my experience, gardening leave is regularly used by companies when "they" do the firing and/or make someone redundant.

Silva was fired by Watford but they may well have been paying him 'til 1st June, hence the wait.

There's all sorts of permutations and I'm sure we'll never know for sure.

Brian Harrison
144 Posted 31/05/2018 at 11:43:37
Jimmy

I have heard of people being put on gardening leave prior to being sacked, big companies go through this process. Also in normal workplaces they don't want somebody serving their 3 months notice in the building, as they might be disruptive.

Obviously Watford have some sort of hold over Silva till the 1st June as is rumoured. Maybe that ends whatever agreement he had with Watford and makes him a free agent.

David Graves
145 Posted 31/05/2018 at 11:45:08
Brian & Jimmy.

From my experience Gardening Leave can be used when senior staff are "moving on" either resigning or being sacked. It's used if it may be detrimental to the organisation for them to stay in post during their notice period.

The one thing that is clear is that we will never know!

Steve Ferns
146 Posted 31/05/2018 at 11:59:46
It all depends on the contract. They’re long and complex.

In Italy they have a system whereby they can sack manager A, appoint manager B, then sack him and bring back manager A. Manager A was still tied to the club for the duration of his contract.

Just look at Napoli right now. They are fed up of Chelsea stalking Sarri. So they acted quickly by firing Sarri and hiring Ancelotti. That doesn’t mean Chelsea can just hire Sarri, they still have to pay a rumoured £7.5m, even though you’d think Sarri would now be a free agent.

Silva still has two years left on his contract. That contract will specify exactly what is to happen in our situation and without knowing the details we can’t comment. It’s been reported in several places that 1st June is a significant date, and this appears correct if we then appoint Silva on 1st June.

Ian Burns
147 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:05:35
Dave Ganley (#141) — exactly my thoughts but better articulated so I won't add... other than to say that one or two TW posters have provided in-depth and extremely knowledgeable analysis of Silva's coaching ability which, along with Brands's appointment, has given me hope for the upcoming season.
Mike Hughes
148 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:11:25
Zidane to Everton????

He needs a challenge!!

Mal van Schaick
149 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:18:05
Any manager is only going to be well thought of with the quality of players he has at his disposal. Man City and Guardiola have proven that.

Always the optimist, but I was a Koeman supporter on his appointment.

We can only hope that this time it works out.

Steve Ferns
150 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:18:28
Zidane is a curious one. Few outside of Real Madrid fans would argue he's a better manager than Mourinho and Guardiola, however, he's now won the Champions League 3 times and that puts him on a level with only Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti and with the right to be considered the greatest.

Perhaps he wants to prove himself, that he can't just do it with a mega money squad of Galaticos. He probably wants to go to France rather than England. Also, he might just want some family time. He's a very rich man and would he really want the daily grind of a manager?

Andy Riley
151 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:19:25
Mike (#148) — what a statement that would be from Moshiri — and the guy has a fantastic record against Liverpool!
Mike Hughes
152 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:26:49
From Sam to Zidane is difficult to imagine except for the fact that many top European managers end up in the Premier League. He would be in good company (and as Andy says, what a statement that would be by Farhad Moshiri).

I can't see it but we have a vacancy and stranger things have happened. (10 years ago, who would have thought Man City would progress as they have done?)

Peter Roberts
153 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:29:02
Zidane would be an amazing statement but in reality he'll be going to PSG with Wenger as DOF.
Tommy Carter
154 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:34:35
Zidane has achieved something remarkable with his 3 x Champions League wins in succession. However, it helps when you have a star-studded squad full of amazing players to compliment arguably the greatest player of all time.

None of these things would be available to him at Everton.

Steve Ferns
155 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:35:11
Peter, PSG just appointed Tommy Tuchel.

His former clubs are Bordeaux and Marseille. He’s a legend in Marseille. He could even go to his old club Juventus if Allegri leaves.

Neil Wood
156 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:39:06
Usmanov announced tomorrow... £500 million kitty... Zidane as manager...

Ahhhh, dreams!

Daniel Bagan
157 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:39:32
Zidane anyone?
Dennis Stevens
158 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:49:32
Marseille?
Brent Stephens
159 Posted 31/05/2018 at 12:50:45
Steve Ferns. Please don't stop or shorten your posts. I learn a lot from them. Some points can't be made in just a few sentences. If anybody gets weary of your stuff, they can just skip it. Not as if you're denying anybody else the space to post.

Sorry if that post was too long.

Thomas Surgenor
160 Posted 31/05/2018 at 13:35:24
A lot of news outlets now saying this will be announced before close of business today!

I still think tomorrow but either way looks like it’s a done deal.

Michael Lynch
161 Posted 31/05/2018 at 13:39:28
Nothing to do with Silva, but Chelsea have just put their ground development on hold indefinitely.

If they're finding it difficult to justify the cost, what hope is there for our new ground?

Jamie Crowley
162 Posted 31/05/2018 at 13:39:38
Desire. An important characteristic to achieving success in my opinion.

David Moyes lost his desire to be Everton manager. We played crap at the end of his tenure.

Roberto Martinez desired to be Everton manager. His first year was the best I've seen in my 10 years.

Ronald Koeman had to be bought to come to Everton. I'm not sure his heart was 100% committed to the cause. I distinctly remember a Christmas tree adorned in red ornaments – a faux pax clearly showing he wasn't paying attention to his Blue fans. We eventually went horribly downhill under him.

Marco Silva wants to be here. I think we will benefit from his desire to manage Everton.

I realize it's not that simple, but it's a good start.

Get behind the man.

Denis Richardson
163 Posted 31/05/2018 at 13:42:45
Like many others, I can't say I'm overly excited with this. However, I'm happy to back him if he's the choice, which is more than can be said about the last guy.

Supposedly, kenwright is out in August, I read somewhere that was part of the deal when Moshiri bought 49.9%. So, if true, the long suffering is almost over.

Silva didn't seem to do much at Watford or Hull but hopefully he'll start by clearing a lot of the deadwood (geez – I think that's been the same wish every summer for about 15 years!)

Paul Tran
164 Posted 31/05/2018 at 13:51:37
Now that Zidane has resigned, would this be a good time to break my rule and tune into TalkSport, just to see if those idiots are touting Allardyce for the Real Madrid job?
Fran Mitchell
165 Posted 31/05/2018 at 13:52:51
Countdown to large number of posters complaining:

"Why aren't we going after Zidane?"

Jon Withey
166 Posted 31/05/2018 at 14:11:19
I assume there is a significant overhead of cost to developing a ground in Chelsea rather than Liverpool. There are some downsides to London!
Paul Kossoff
167 Posted 31/05/2018 at 14:30:11
Zinedine Zidane has just walked out on Real Madrid, where is he off to, Everton?
Salim Rehman
168 Posted 31/05/2018 at 14:32:32
Michael (#161) & Jon (#166): It may be because Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has personally taken the decision to put the stadium on hold after being denied a UK Visa. Unwilling to invest over £1 billion into a country where he is not permitted to work...
Nigel Munford
169 Posted 31/05/2018 at 14:36:14
Paul, I think if we sign Silva without even considering Zidane we are very short sighted.
Brian Cleveland
170 Posted 31/05/2018 at 14:36:34
So now we know why no manager has been appointed yet, waiting for Zidane... it's all so obvious now, how did we miss it?
Paul Dewhurst
171 Posted 31/05/2018 at 14:43:03
Michael (#161),

It's nothing to do with finance, everything to do with the fact he's not had his UK Visa renewed and he's now an Israeli citizen – Cue Chelsea Sale!

Kunal Desai
172 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:01:09
Just announced on SSN. Marco Silver Everton manager
Martin Nicholls
173 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:01:46
Derek (#139) – with a far more stellar international career than either Lampard or Slippy and insightful comments like "if eeda went there eeda been there" I'm surprised Ian Wright (Wrighty to his media mates) hasn't been awarded a top management job!
Mick Hoban
174 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:06:16
Confirmed on the Everton App and on their official Twitter complete with photos holding up the shirt.
John G Davies
175 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:07:53
What most of us knew for a while is now official.

I am really looking forward to this lad managing the Blues. I've got a good feeling about the way this is going.

Brent Stephens
176 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:08:06
He’s ours.
Steve Ferns
177 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:08:17
Yep, it’s official. Time to put the words into action and coach this bunch of misfits into a team.

His first job is to break up the cliques and get some unity back into the squad.

Tony Sullivan
178 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:13:26
Silva just announced in the Guardian. Onward and upwards. (NSNO)
Neil Cremin
179 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:13:44
Just announced.

Not sure if he is the saviour but that guarantee doesn't come with any of the high profile candidates either e.g. Koemann. I certainly have a better feeling than with Koeman or Allardyce.

Doesn't have an easy task to sort out the problems but his first task is to win the dressing room and that is to create a clear vision and then pick the team on merit and commitment to the cause.

Craig Walker
180 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:14:38
There's a video message of him on the Echo website.
Tony Everan
181 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:17:25
Welcome Marco, you have joined a fantastic club.

It will be interesting to hear him talk about the task in his first interview.

Martin Nicholls
182 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:17:25
So much for my 'gardening leave' theory!
Jer Kiernan
183 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:31:16
Time to step off my soapbox he is our manager now,

Best of luck Marco COYB

John Wells
184 Posted 31/05/2018 at 15:34:12
Good video clip, Marco! Now let's get stuck in I think you will be shocked by lazy attitude of some of the players you have inherited, get rid of the ones that need to go quickly and start a badly needed rebuild. Best of luck! COYB
Brian Cleveland
185 Posted 31/05/2018 at 22:35:43
What, no signings yet? Come on Marco, you've been here for hours now, pull your finger out man!

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