The End of an Era and a Leap Into the Unknown
By Lyndon Lloyd
:: 09/05/2013
It's incredible to think that Sir Alex has been in charge at Old Trafford for almost as long as I have been following football. He was appointed 27 years ago, just a few months after I was chosen, and he has been a constant at United ever since, transforming them from the also-rans they were while Everton were sweeping their way to two League titles in the mid-1980s to the powerhouse they are today.
United's success may have coincided almost divinely with the inception of the Premier League, the formation of which has allowed the club's power and influence to snowball – to the extent that they could absorb a potentially catastrophic takeover by the Glazers and, this season, rack up their 20th Championship – but there is no doubt that it was Ferguson's unparalleled management that underpinned the amassing of all that silverware.
His will be massive shoes to fill but so, too, will those of Moyes at Everton and the Club stands at a foreboding crossroads as fans await the eventual unveiling and appointment of his successor. Though he has had his detractors among Evertonians, Moyes's role in first saving the Club from the very real threat of relegation in 2002, stabilising it over subsequent seasons and, finally, establishing Everton as perennial challengers for European qualification in the top seven of the Premier League is unquestionable.
Indeed, what he has achieved at Goodison, with a net-spend close enough to zero to be regarded as such, is nothing short of remarkable. Everton have become a by-word for consistency in recent years as Moyes has patiently built the best team Blues fans have seen since the golden age of Howard Kendall's first spell in charge. Why he came so tantalisingly close to breaking into the Champions League without achieving it or picking up a domestic trophy along the way has been – and no doubt will continue to be – the subject of endless debate but the Moyes era will go down as one typified by impressive stability.
Since arriving as a relative unknown from Preston 11 years ago, Moyes has effected a patient evolution at Everton, taking control of all facets of the playing side of the club and influencing plenty on the non-footballing side as well. There are many who feel as though he has prolonged Bill Kenwright's tenure as Chairman at Goodison Park by shielding the Board of Directors from supporter unrest over their failure to bring about any improvement in the Club's finances in 13 years in charge. Indeed, as assets have been sold off, two proposed ground moves have collapsed, and debt has mushroomed, Moyes has kept the Blues fighting on the fringes of the Champions League picture despite an ever-decreasing pool of reliable, senior players.
It is testament to so much of what Moyes got right as manager that, going into the final two games of the current season, only the two Manchester clubs, with their vastly superior squads and resources, have lost fewer matches than Everton. Things could have unraveled precipitously after the debacle against Wigan in the FA Cup but Moyes's side have been beaten just once at home in the League in the last year and, were it not for some crucially dropped points at the death in a handful of games (Newcastle at home, Norwich home and away, Fulham away and Tottenham away among them), the Blues could still be in the chase for Champions League qualification.
We will never know whether his desire to see his project through to completion at Everton with Champions League qualification would have trumped the desire to take the reins at United – much depends, I suppose, on how long he has been courted by Old Trafford – but, ultimately, a combination of his own legendary conservatism, lapses in concentration in his defence in those aforementioned games and, simply, the small nature of his squad might have denied him the one achievement that could have kept him at Goodison.
I'll be honest – I expected Moyes to sign a new contract at Goodison, albeit perhaps a shorter one than the five-year deal that is set to expire this summer. That is, of course, to assume there ever was a new deal on the table at all which, some sources claim was not the case. The detente between Moyes and CEO Robert Elstone has been an increasingly badly-kept secret in the halls of Goodison – the word is the pair haven't exchanged words in months – and it was evident in their contrasting demeanours following the collapse of the Leroy Fer deal in January (Moyes resigned to no new faces before the transfer deadline, Elstone keen to stress that targets were still being chased). Nevertheless, with the apparently close relationship between Kenwright and his manager, the situation might have been tenable for a while longer.
Moyes has been criminally under-funded for the majority of his time at Everton, however, particularly over the last three or four years as the gap between our spending power and that of our rivals at the top end of the Premier League has widened. He has not been shy about citing that as one of his biggest frustrations and all roads on that front lead back to the Kenwright Board; perhaps his pride alone would have precluded him extending his Goodison tenure.
Still, there is a sense that the dream of shattering that glass ceiling to get to the Champions League in the short term was still not dead. The forthcoming cash injection from the record domestic and international Premier League TV deals could potentially provide Everton with a transfer kitty worthy of the name. Granted, every other club in the top flight will be in same boat and there is the expectation that the increased revenue will merely be offset by higher transfer fees, player wages and agents' fees, but it's conceivable that there would be enough money available to fund a few player acquisitions in the mold for which Moyes has become famous.
On top of that, the expected departure of Marouane Fellaini for pastures new (or, worse, Leighton Baines) could provide an additional financial boon to the tune of £20m to £25m. The Belgian has made noises about wanting to play in the Champions League and it is generally accepted that after five years at Goodison, he will move on this summer. Not all of those millions would be needed to pay down Everton's debt, leading to the possibility that with judicious use of the funds, Moyes could have bolstered his squad in terms of numbers and ushered some of the older members of his team towards a lesser role in the first team and then retirement.
It looks very much now as though that responsibility will fall to someone else and, with that, Everton FC and we long-suffering fans will take a flying leap into the unknown. Of course, while there is an air of trepidation about what lies ahead, it need not be a bad thing. Helped along no doubt by Moyes's stalling over a new deal and reinforced somewhat by the Wigan defeat and some rather flat away performances of late, there has been a growing feeling that a change is needed at Goodison.
Though the list of potential candidates contains some appealing options – among them Michael Laudrup, Guus Hiddink, Vitor Pereira, Slaven Bilic, Gus Poyet and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – it also stuffed full of names that should fill Evertonians with horror. Roberto Martinez is the bookmakers' early favourite but is, to these eyes, a thoroughly uninspiring choice. Though his Houdini acts with Wigan have become legendary and he is an advocate of the right way to play the game, it shouldn't be forgotten that it was he who put them in relegation danger in the first place and his teams betrays a worrying inability to defend that is anathema to the defensive resilience that has become Moyes's hallmark.
Neil Lennon, Mark Hughes, Phil Neville, Malky Mackay, Martin O'Neill, Steve Clarke… for many individual and overlapping reasons, not one of them should be considered worthy of the Everton job.
Whatever happens and whoever takes over, Everton must do all they can to avoid an exodus. Fellaini leaving would be expected, Baines following Moyes to Old Trafford would be heart-breaking but not altogether surprising, but there are plenty of other gems at Goodison – chief among them Phil Jagielka and Kevin Mirallas, together with hopes for the further like Ross Barkley – that the new manager will need to retain lest his predecessor's patient work crumbles amidst a wave of departures. Depending on who is appointed, how long that decision takes, and how much money is available to him to rebuild an aging squad, it could be a particularly unnerving summer.
For Moyes, if this is indeed the end of the road, he should leave Everton with our gratitude and best wishes. He came frustratingly close to winning an FA Cup four years ago and to cracking the top four again but was let down by the Board in January when perhaps a key signing or two could have made all the difference. Nevertheless, he established a platform from which such glories are eminently possible, with even modest investment, with the right man in charge.
Interestingly, while we never got to find out while he was manager at Goodison, we're about to see how Moyes can fare with money to spend, with a squad large enough for pragmatic rotation, with flair players, playing on Europe's biggest stage. It should be fascinating to watch as he takes this massive step in the spotlight.
His managerial career has been dogged by doubts about his mentality when it comes to big games – running through his tenure with the Blues has been his inability to win on the grounds of the Premier League's biggest clubs, to progress in cup competition when it matters – but, in a very real sense, Moyes has been the perfect manager for Everton FC as it struggles through the failures of the Kenwright era. He not only kept this great English club on an even keel but, through his management and canny transfer policy, also allowed it to compete at a higher level than its ever diminishing resources probably should have allowed.
In the end, he was unable to match the expectations that he himself had helped foster and it will probably be to his last regret and those of Evertonians that he couldn't quite complete the job at Goodison. How important was he in keeping the Blues where we are and in propping up the current regime? If the speculation is correct, we're about to find out...
Reader Comments
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647 Posted 09/05/2013 at 06:15:59
Andy, fair do's let's move on, but there's always the niggle that your next girlfriend will fart in bed.
652 Posted 09/05/2013 at 06:34:29
I'm much more afraid than optimistic for the Everton, with the possible exception of Laudrup, there's no manager I want. Calls for Martinez are absolute madness. No matter happens, the next few seasons will be a difficult adjustment.
653 Posted 09/05/2013 at 06:45:34
654 Posted 09/05/2013 at 06:46:30
(he ducks)
663 Posted 09/05/2013 at 07:04:15
Out with the old and in with the new and all that, but just who this 'new' maybe will lead to some interesting times in the coming days or weeks.
Laudrup would be my first choice but would he leave to come to us?Doubt it.
683 Posted 09/05/2013 at 07:54:16
694 Posted 09/05/2013 at 07:52:15
#652, #663 Aidan, Paul. I agree that once DM has left, will wish him well but will be concentrating on what our new manager will be doing at EFC no what former ones are doing 30 odd miles up the East Lancs Road.
699 Posted 09/05/2013 at 07:55:40
Totally agree with you list of "No, no's".
Don't recall reading read much about Bilic lately; but if he were available he'd be in the frame for me.
Thanks Davey!
717 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:19:43
Also I wonder what agreement he has made with BK ? That they both keep quiet that this was planned for months ? It will indeed be interesting to see how quickly we appoint a successor. You'd think it really should be very soon, because the short-list was already in-place given that Moyes contract was up, right? If not it's just incompetence.
742 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:36:07
Two paragraphs which produce totally different reactions from me.
Very much agree with the second one, Kenwright must (should) have a short list.
Very much disagree with the first. Why should the Moysiah place any sort of stumbling block in the way of his presumed appointment at Old Trafford.What you're asking is that he signs a contract just so that Kenwiight/Grantchester et al can require a 'transfer fee' to let him go to a job that every manager in the world (with very few exceptions) would give his eye teeth for.
Get real!
744 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:39:40
I have to say that up to Fergie's announcement, I would have been happy for a change, but now that it seems imminent there's a slight sense of trepidation over who might be appointed. Agree that the Everton job will also have big shoes to fill.
Have to say the board is now under real pressure if Moyes does go... hoping for someone in the mold of Pochettino or Laudrup.
745 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:37:53
747 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:47:24
Very very interesting times
750 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:50:36
757 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:45:03
As for Martinez being "an advocate of the right way to play the game" - well, yes, that is kind of the point for some of us. I mean, if we're going to be deadly dull then a trophy or two would be appropriate compensation. If not, then I for one want to be entertained. That is the whole point of sport.
760 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:40:51
Saddly I think BK's ego will be an enormous factor in the next decision. Can he afford to appoint someone who might challenge his 'boys pen' rhetoric? Would he be comfortable with someone who puts football prorities before loyalty to him? somenone who would not be afraid of speaking out? Moyes came from a small club with no genuine record of success and was a massive gamble. I think he recognised the gamble BK took and it has since provided Moyes with the wealth to ensure his family are secure for the rest of their lives. That was repaid through the loyalty he showed and the lack of criticism of BK, although it was showing signs of wearing thin recently. The next appointment will have no need to be so loyal or thankful to BK, it will be more of a job and they will want the right tools to do it i.e. money - will BK, can BK provide it?
So for all our desire and desperate need to take another step forward don't be surprised if BK goes for someone who 'owes him' and wont rock the boat. Someone who is 'thankful' for the chance etc aka Hughes or O'Neill
This next decision will really show whether BK has Evertons interest at heart or, as many of us suspect, an overwhelming desire to keep the train set for himself.
772 Posted 09/05/2013 at 09:02:31
Laudrup looks the outstanding candidate, but would he come? And would Everton be willing to buy out his contract which I think is three years?
777 Posted 09/05/2013 at 08:58:16
Ferguson will be a hard act to follow and Utd fans will not give Moyes any honeymoon period, if they are not in the top 2 in the first months of next season the fans will be calling for his head.
As for Everton this is going to be a massive challenge to be able to appoint someone who with a limited budjet will be expected to match Moyes record of challenging at the top end of the league. Some of the candidates already mentioned fill me with dread. Martinez despite people saying he plays the game the right way all he produces is relegation football. Lennon has no class whatsoever and winning the prem in Scotland with Celtic is hardly rocket science. Lets hope the press are way off the mark and we do appoint someone who can match or better Moyes results.
Finally BK has said that Moyes will be in charge for the West Ham game, I hope the fans give him a great send off, although part of me thinks the atmosphere could be quite unreal on Sunday.
783 Posted 09/05/2013 at 09:08:01
Right now we're guaranteed to stay up but once that potential of Europe goes, so will the big names and then the new guy will have to work Moyes' brilliance in the transfer market.
The manager's on LL's no-no list will take us back to the pack, but Bilic has the big Mourinho style personality were you can see us pushing on... but he's got a WC in a year (fnar...). I don't see why we have to go down to the championship when we're chasing CL, so the Porto guy is interesting.
Surely we want someone who's won something!
784 Posted 09/05/2013 at 09:11:07
In the four seasons they have both managed in the top flight at the same time the stats are:
Everton Scored 213 conceded 172 goal difference +41
Wigan scored 163 conceded 269 goal difference -106
So, Moyes team score more goals and concede less than Martinez's therefore his teams are better at attacking and defending
796 Posted 09/05/2013 at 09:38:01
813 Posted 09/05/2013 at 09:53:30
As Brian says, above, it could be unreal and weird on Sunday; main priority is to get the 3 points
Always with David Moyes' tenure the key words are trotted out - "consistency, stability"
For the man himself I would add "integrity, honesty". To the partnership of Moyes and Kenwright, I would add "stagnation"
Thank you David Moyes for steadying the ship and improving our lot and ambitions immensely from the dark days of Walter
Unfortunately, while your time in charge moved us away from struggling to keep our heads above water to paddling comfortably in the shallow end, it produced some of the lowest lows in the history of Everton Football Club
Good luck in your new job, I've signed the card and stuck a fiver in the collection
We're Everton - let's move on
817 Posted 09/05/2013 at 09:44:17
One aspect that I think is being overlooked is that Moyes (like SAF) has been involved in all aspects of the club, not just the first team. The new training facilities, youth set up, coaching staff etc etc have been put in place during his era. It seems like some of that may bear fruit in the coming years (eg U21s, U18s etc doing well). So, in thinking of a new manager, we need to think longer term too. Not just some flash in pan type character - That's the reason that Mourinho is probably not going to get the Utd job.
In terms of managers, I would generally agree with your list with one exception. Personally, I still think MON is a very good manager. Not sure what went wrong at Sunderland but at all previous clubs (Leicester, Celtic and Villa) he was successful. The fact that he resigned from Villa over lack of funds and selling of their best players might be a non-no for BK though.
818 Posted 09/05/2013 at 10:04:34
823 Posted 09/05/2013 at 10:11:30
832 Posted 09/05/2013 at 10:23:17
833 Posted 09/05/2013 at 09:18:29
Strange days indeed.
900 Posted 09/05/2013 at 11:36:13
911 Posted 09/05/2013 at 11:41:11
When Moyes goes to Man Utd I won't be wishing him well. I hate that team more than Liverpool. 11 years without a trophy will do very nicely.
932 Posted 09/05/2013 at 12:02:25
Following injury or surgery, it's well known that most people don't remember pain. The body's reaction is to forget about it as a coping mechanism. It seems the same is so with Everton fans and David Moyes. For the most part during Moyes' tenure we have been absolute fucking crap to watch. Even when we've won it's been crap as a spectacle. I gave up my season ticket mainly because we were such crap to watch. I've never understood why Moyes chose to play so defensive all the time at home against relegation sides to then draw or win only by the odd goal from a set piece. Even now when we pass it round more, we still end up scoring from route 1 or resorting to just lumping it up to Fellaini.
Moyes holds all of our worst records:
Worst ever goals scored tally in a season.
Worst ever home defeat.
Worst ever away defeat.
Worst ever European defeat.
He has a 40% win ratio. In his 11 years, he's brought through the grand total of 6 youth team players. He has ruined every striker we've had.
This whole net spend argument is complete crap too. It's funny because we used to shout at the RS about Benitez's gross spend and they used to offer his net spend as a counter argument. Now Moyes' net spend is being used to laud him as a complete genius. Moyes' gross spend puts him in the top 8 of premier league spenders. So we've hardly punched above our weight, have we?
I'm glad he's gone. I don't look forward to all the romantic clap trap that will be published from fans with short memories. We should be at Wembley this weekend but for Moyes' shocking capitulation to Wigan yet it now seems everyone will be congratulating him in his last home game against West Ham.
Good riddance to the best PE teacher Everton have ever had!
935 Posted 09/05/2013 at 12:23:01
937 Posted 09/05/2013 at 12:21:56
NOT Martinez. He has been around for so long, and only seem to specialize at avoiding relegation, which he might not this season.
NOT Hughes. Whatever creditability he has was marred in the way he treated Fulham, and destroyed after QPR.
If we are getting either Martinez or Hughes, I rather we give it to the bootroom team, Stubbs, and why not Sheedy and Big Dunc? At least you know that these guys won't be fleecing the club, as their loyalties are genuine.
939 Posted 09/05/2013 at 12:22:35
I rate Ian Buchan as our best ever PE teacher/manager as he didn't stay as long
You forgot to mention...
lowest ever points total
FA cup defeat to lowest ever opposition
lost 2 derbys while having more players on the pitch
10 men behind the ball, 0 -3 down in a home FA Cup quarter...
Still, he steadied the ship and brought us stability, consistency and built a decent, workmanlike, though uninspring team
952 Posted 09/05/2013 at 12:43:31
Alan's "PE Teacher" reminded me of Ian Buchan too.
I'd never heard of him before he came to Goodison; and (thank God) never heard of him after he departed.
By the way, my memory is that he was never Manager, only ever Chief Coach.
If we get another one like him the MOB will realise what they've been wishing for all this time.
975 Posted 09/05/2013 at 13:04:51
That was his official role; I think he was a PE lecturer at Loughborough College
All this malarkey thogh - makes me realise Gordon Lee wasn't so bad; Latch, Dobson, Dave Thomas ... sigh
982 Posted 09/05/2013 at 13:01:10
989 Posted 09/05/2013 at 13:21:57
009 Posted 09/05/2013 at 13:39:09
020 Posted 09/05/2013 at 13:43:00
Martinez may have his teams passing the ball around but his lack of success at Swansea and Wigan are evidence of his inadequacy.
For me his teams are too laid back with not enough grit and determination.
028 Posted 09/05/2013 at 13:59:42
They are all overrated. Moyes is overrated — I cannot understand how he lasted 11 years and then got the Man Utd job. Martinez is overrated: Wigan are nearly relegated every season. Is that a good job?
We live in a world of overrated people.
030 Posted 09/05/2013 at 13:43:46
Alan 932, sorry to hear you gave up your season ticket due to the poor football on show, but I feel you must make allowance for the state of the club and the team he inherited from Walter and the financial state of the club. It would be interesting to list the players in Walter's last game v Middlesbrough and compare with our side today. I have shared your frustrations as the team failed to perform against lowly opposition at home but have been delighted by some of the flair football we have played this season. Best since the brief spell in mid 90's with Kanchelskis and Limpar.
No manager is perfect and I don't think anyone will say that he was perfect, but would doubt if any other manager could have done as good a job over the past 11 years with the club in a constant state of recession. Comparisons with past records are not valid as we had different circumstances then and now, when the club could break transfer records and attract the best players in the pre CL era.
I wish him all the best and thanks for all his dedicated work and hope we can attract a worthy successor, up for the challenge of top end PL achievement with a Championship budget.
033 Posted 09/05/2013 at 14:03:38
Should read.
I cannot understand how Moyes lasted 11 years and then got the Man Utd job.
Also I would like to add. Lyndon my sentiments wholeheartedly.
040 Posted 09/05/2013 at 14:15:49
067 Posted 09/05/2013 at 14:39:28
074 Posted 09/05/2013 at 14:40:47
119 Posted 09/05/2013 at 12:42:28
He is also not alone in being beaten 7-0.
If you are going to highlight the biggest European defeat, then you should also mention the biggest European victory. I am also curious as how you judge him bringing youth players through.
186 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:05:27
Some of the hatred towards him has gone to such unnatural levels that I still expect this will be debated on here when he's manager of United. I suspect it will sicken a few if he starts winning leagues and Champions Leagues. Lets hope Roberto will come in and put Anichebe in midfield then we'll be saved from that dour, tactically inept PE teacher who's now in charge of the biggest team in the world - boss.
196 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:18:51
I don't particularly care whether he becomes the most successful manager of all time or falls flat on his face, he belongs to Man Utd now so onto the next guy; that's the way it works — that's the way it has always worked. I didn't get goosebumps when Rooney scored his first goal for Man Utd, I didn't hate him for doing so either, it's just the way things go.
211 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:26:45
I will still look at their results at ten to five, the same way I looked for Norwichs results when Vaughan was there, and Fulham when AJ was there etc
225 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:34:14
245 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:42:14
That's not to say I'll be sitting down to watch Utd games though...
252 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:39:03
If we ever got close to challenging them at the top then obviously I'd be wishing nothing but ill on them but as the current events have so painfully illustrated we may as well be legaues apart. If it came down to who would I rather see doing well out of Moyes, Wenger, Benitez/Mourinho, or Mancini then in my mind Moyes is the lesser of those evils.
267 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:49:21
Let's now get Laudrup.
273 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:53:14
The Moyes In Brigade will be on here saying 'told you so' and 'careful what you wish for'.
And you know full well ToffeeWeb will get all the blame !
294 Posted 09/05/2013 at 15:55:48
304 Posted 09/05/2013 at 16:04:28
310 Posted 09/05/2013 at 16:06:10
312 Posted 09/05/2013 at 16:06:13
392 Posted 09/05/2013 at 16:32:56
402 Posted 09/05/2013 at 16:40:27
And I think it also highlights the biggest fear that most of us have.
There *is* an opportunity here. To refresh our approach based on the very solid foundation that Moyes built.
And there likes the crux of the matter. When was the last time this Everton board and this owner grabbed an opportunity instead of fucking it up?
421 Posted 09/05/2013 at 16:52:19
432 Posted 09/05/2013 at 16:54:43
Yes a leap into the unknown, or if some are correct and we appoint Martinez it could be a leap into the dark. I really hope we don't get him I don't want to see his happy smiley face saying we were a little unlucky today and apart from 3 or 4 mistakes could possibly have got a draw. He never seems angry or upset when his teams lose they reflect his style which is very matter of fact. I want my manager to be passionate about how we have played and I don't see any passion in Martinez, could you imagine Ferguson smiling after Utd have been beaten exactly!!
438 Posted 09/05/2013 at 17:02:57
Thanks for steadying the ship, and good luck a Utd ('cos you'll need it).
480 Posted 09/05/2013 at 17:36:34
At least the majority of people on this site will be happy now (I'm not), wonder how long the next manager will get before he's dubbed as tactically naive and a waste of space.
493 Posted 09/05/2013 at 17:43:22
504 Posted 09/05/2013 at 17:55:02
Does this mean everything at ToffeeWeb is going to be cuddly and warm for a while? No more Moyes in/ Moyes out scrappin and a cussin'. I can feel the stress and tension falling off this iPad. Love is all around us brothers.
.........until Mark Hughes takes over.
524 Posted 09/05/2013 at 18:23:47
And I don't care what the Man Utd board see, I know what I have seen. You've seen an outstanding manager, I've seen an overrated nearly man. We will see.
But as a fellow Evertonian I hope you think I'm right about him. They are Man Utd after all.
552 Posted 09/05/2013 at 17:46:58
The guy has won promotion with Swansea, has the potential to win an FA Cup too; what has Moyes won in his entire career?
Criticising Martinez getting wigan into relegation trouble is also a bit weak. After all he's managing Wigan on nearly half the wage budget that we have, which is amongst the lowest of all the clubs in the premier league, and he has managed to keep them in the top league thus far. They certainly didn't look like the paupers at Goodison a few weeks ago.
Whether he'd be any good for us or not I don't know, but I wouldn't be disappointed with either him or Laudrup. I'd be really pissed off(and worried) if it were any of the dross Lyndon mentions in his no-no list.
I find Nicks assertion that PL survival was/is guaranteed under Moyes an idiotic statement to make. I'd tipped us for relegation a few times after Moyes typically slow starts to the season....and the season we finished 15th. No team is guaranteed not to get relegated, certainly not us.
Strangely I'm almost as interested in how Moyes will get on at Utd as to who we'll get next. How Moyes would cope with money, or at a big club has been discussed to death here. We'll finally get a chance to see.
567 Posted 09/05/2013 at 18:49:56
And whoever it was remembered the tenure of Gordon Lee fondly clearly wasn't there.
574 Posted 09/05/2013 at 19:11:13
614 Posted 09/05/2013 at 19:28:08
But it does not air the many criticisms that have been made of him, making only passing reference to his "conservatism" and "doubts about his mentality".
In response to Kev and Alan Clarke who had a similar view: the thrust of the article was supposed to be illustrating the stability that Moyes has brought to Everton and the danger we now face in regressing now that he is gone.
I could have expounded at length at how infuriating he has been at times and mentioned the number of times I told myself out loud how much I hated watching his teams at times but a) the piece was long enough and b) the fact remains that he has built a team that came very close to making the top four this season.
Yes, the standard of football has been poor for long periods of his tenure but over the last two or three seasons, Everton have been playing the best football we have seen at Goodison since the 1980s. Moyes's problem was that he couldn't get them to do it consistently but he was eventually able to build a team capable of producing it.
And you can bang on about gross spend all you like but the fact remains that between August 2009 and January 2012, he was not able to buy a single senior-level player. Depending on what funds are available this coming summer, we might now find out whether he was supremely adept at working within almost impossible financial constraints for a top-six team. Until then, I'm prepared to give credit where I think enormous credit is due.
651 Posted 09/05/2013 at 19:51:56
I do wish David Moyes well, even if he come s back for Baines etc. Noww is the time to sell Baines anyway (IMO). I think David going is the best for both clubs, we both need a change. I do think he will do ok with a bigger budget and better squad.
As for us - i'd take Martinez over the likes of Hughes, Big Sam, Lennon, and MM, et al but i'd like to see a Di Mateo, Zola, Laudrop, Puyet and my first choice solskjaer.
667 Posted 09/05/2013 at 20:06:39
679 Posted 09/05/2013 at 20:13:21
680 Posted 09/05/2013 at 19:51:57
The mob demand a trophy or a top 4 finish like you can just flick a switch and get it. Yes, all these football experts have all the answers that the rest of the football industry spend millions on and largely fail with. The experts that consistently said he was useless, incapable of landing a big job, Dour Davy and all that.
I totally agree on the long list of rejects, which highlights just how poor the fare is and the risk that Bill will make a complete horlicks of it to follow the long list of shame. I would personally go for Laudrap. He has the name, plays a good style and understands a couple of overseas markets to tap players for. Other than that, I'd hope for inspirational largely unknown foreign choice, a Wegner mark 2.
689 Posted 09/05/2013 at 20:32:14
Personally, I feel like i'm staring into a black hole. I'm not sure if a train is going to come charging out to flatten me or perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised.
Either way, this feeling won't go away until (1) the new manager is announced and (2) we sign some players and kick the season off in some semblance of style.
697 Posted 09/05/2013 at 20:40:09
He steadied the ship and did a good job but his history will also show some nasty stats, worst points ever, biggest euro defeat etc and them stats show more than finishing 6th or 7th.
Let's move on, this is Everton FC.
700 Posted 09/05/2013 at 20:24:16
703 Posted 09/05/2013 at 20:47:23
SAF as director Moyes as manager
Busby as director, manager...
Wilf McGuiness
705 Posted 09/05/2013 at 20:44:51
He was a hired hand who was incredibly well paid and who kept Kenwright safe but won nothing. There is a lot to admire about his tenure but lets not eulogise about a man whose achievements are above average and no more. He's gone, we are Everton and we are much, much more than David Moyes.
746 Posted 09/05/2013 at 21:25:08
Always been a big advocate of DM. But this whole "end of season" sit down was bollocks. Plus he can say what he wants about having no money but that does not excuse Wigan at home. That was purely his selection error. That's the reason we have no final and no Europe this season.
But what has annoyed me more is the way we were but a footnote in the hours and hours of media coverage. You'd think they were awaiting the next Head of State, not the next manager of a corporation followed by lots of shirt buying idiots who have no link to the club. Nobody ever mentioned how disrespectful the speculation yesterday was to the 4th most successful club in English football. Nobody ever gave our fans a care. Plus why did Manure have to do it now? Would it have really hurt to wait for another fortnight when our season was over?
Manure think they're imperious hence why they can cherry pick who they want. Well EFC have more class. I hope everyone round our club doesn't speculate on managers still with other clubs like Swansea and Wigan which is disrespectful to them and their fans. What will be will be but I hope we show more class than the host of pundits and ex Manure players that came out with comments yesterday.
As for Moyes, I hope he fails. I loved him in Blue. Don't give a **** what he does in red. In fact I think Manure might have a nasty surprise coming their way as City and Chelsea are going to be coming for them.
But let's hope the new boy takes us on a step and our experienced defence know enough to keep the goals conceded to a minimum.
He's got red hair, what he does next? Don't care.
765 Posted 09/05/2013 at 21:51:31
Now clear favorite with all the bookies.
770 Posted 09/05/2013 at 21:24:52
786 Posted 09/05/2013 at 22:00:47
I expect any manager to work within the financial constraints of the football club(without complaint), develop youth players(to ultimately improve the viability of the club) and give the players the belief and confidence to play to the best of their ability in every game. Entertaining football would be good too.
I'd ask for the same with any manager who comes in. If manager X came in and we finished in 10th, but the financial situation was vastly improved because we'd actually started using our academy players instead of highly paid mercs then I'd be a happy man.
Conversely, Moyes can finish 6th every season, but have the club borrowing every last penny it can to sustain the non-performing Naismith and Neville on huge salaries while our youth players are ignored and I'll be getting slightly annoyed, despite the higher placed finish.
My opinion is that only by getting rid of some of the debt that is crippling us can we start to bridge the gap between ourselves and the teams currently above us. I've no doubt such a process will involve some lower placed finishes than we have been used to, but sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward.
877 Posted 09/05/2013 at 23:20:41
Looking at the list in the TW poll it's mostly a bunch of also ran. Personally, if I had to select one on the list I'd go for Laudrop or Di Matteo.
Everton is a bigger club that we often give it credit for and (obviously 'de munnee' is important) we should be able to attract a guy with a winning mentality and great interpersonal skills. Moyes will be a difficult act to follow but, as we all know, he wasn't perfect.
COYB
015 Posted 10/05/2013 at 04:33:22
022 Posted 10/05/2013 at 05:02:52
More importantly who do we bring in. Laudrup is a good choice but too expensive... My vote went to Di Matteo, I just feel he's a perfect fit: he's young, hungry and has shown he can lead a team at the highest level. I'm sure the main criteria for Kenwright will be someone that won't rock the boat and I think RDM can strike the balance.
If Hughes is even considered then I will lose respect for the club.
115 Posted 10/05/2013 at 09:10:51
What a tit. Yes he's been a good manager and I will always have a lot of respect for him. But really? Tears in your eyes, "Everton FC must continue in the David Moyes tradition".
I can't believe this prick. Pull yourself the fuck together and represent our club. Say your thanks to Moyes privately, acknowledge him publicly, and then look after Everton Football Club.
David Moyes tradition!!! Fuck off.
403 Posted 10/05/2013 at 13:57:32
416 Posted 10/05/2013 at 14:13:36
It was the same when Rooney left. Then Lescott. But then we had Davie Moyes who could rebuild the side again. But now Davie’s gone. Davie Moyes, the man who gave us back our respect and allowed us to dream again.
He inherited a club unable to shake off the need for an annual relegation fight. He was given a transfer kitty of £803,000 a year to change our fortunes. With this pitiful sum he achieved two things. Firstly, he got us into the top eight of the Premier League and secondly, most amazingly, he kept us there. How did he do that? On £803,000 a year, how did he keep us, year-in, year-out, in the top eight of the Premier League for the best part of ten years?
Right from the beginning there was spirit, fight and organisation. When you played Everton, you knew you were in for a game. His success in the transfer market has been well documented but Moyes also has the ability to vastly improve the players he buys and works with. Best examples in the current squad are Jagielka and Baines. Compare the players they were when Moyes bought them and the players they are now. Moyes the transformer.
Alex Ferguson has been described as the best manager of all time. Perhaps he has just made his shrewdest decision. We Evertonians hated the expression ‘punching above their weight’. Just imagine if Manchester United punch above their weight.
Thanks Davie. Thanks for all your work. In my mind I’ll always have this image: Man City, the reigning champions are at Goodison. It’s towards the end of the game and we’re leading 1-0 but nothing is certain yet. Then, from just outside the City area Jelavic smacks the ball past Hart to make it 2-0. Moyes runs onto the pitch, jumps up and punches the air. The ground explodes into a din of ecstasy. We are as one. We believe.
Unless Everton suddenly find some investment or get extremely lucky in their choice of next manager, there is only one way our football club can go. And it ain’t up.
Thanks again Davie. I’ve admired your management for the last ten years and I’ve had one recurring thought. “Just imagine what he could do if he had some money”. Now we’re about to find out. But this wasn’t what I had in mind. This was not my dream.
624 Posted 10/05/2013 at 16:51:31
626 Posted 10/05/2013 at 17:00:35
911 Posted 10/05/2013 at 20:37:13
The teams above are pulling in champions league money, corporate match going money, etc. We continue to have restricted views, renting our own training ground and going hand to mouth paying £4m plus interest a season and struggling to renegotiate the overdraft. We are constantly left wide open to any decent bid for our key players, others aren't.
United get more a season from the sponsor of the training kit than we get from Chang and Kit Bag combined. All other clubs are moving forward except us. It's like the UK with growth of 0.5% trying to close the gap on China.
I am not going to have a pop at someone supplementing the squad with Naismith and Neville, when he had fuck all transfer budget for the last 4 years. The holy grail of bringing a clutch of young players is a myth. The premier league spends probably upwards of £100m a season on the academies and transfer fees for the stars of the future, and get a return of nought. The clubs would do better donating it to a local division 1 club and having first dibs on youth players at very low values.
Yes I want better. I want Everton to be the world team of the year like in 85. Moyes leaving will not change that the Bullens Road smells of piss and Kenright is skint. If those were changed then we'd close the gap above. I live in hope.
COYB
005 Posted 10/05/2013 at 23:14:53
I'm no apologist, in fact at times I've been quite the opposite. Watch this man's press conference today and tell me that he doesn't have a huge love for our club. The guys an honest human being and, emotionally, he found that very very difiicult. We'll do well to get that level of commitment again, let's have some respect eh?
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645 Posted 09/05/2013 at 06:14:42
The kids have grown up and left and the spark has gone. Life is comfortable but is this it? I want to tell her it's time we parted but we've been through a lot together and, frankly, I'm scared, I don't want a new life stuck in a bedsit and broke and anyway, how can I tell her?
Then, this morning she says she's found someone else. My prayers are answered, Without any guilt I can start again. But... she's been cheating on me; all along I was putting up with it and now I'm dumped. Suddenly, the future is scary.
Had a drink with a mate though. It's time to change, a makeover, a party or two and a new life. Life's too short to brood, Hope she doesn't change her mind because it really is for the best.