Now without a shred of evidence, my mates and I were discussing the Moyes conundrum up here in the wilds of Papua New Guinea close to the Indonesian border, over a few ales one night. Why did it happen so quickly and after Fergie stating very recently that he intended to stay on?

Our uneducated and rather clumsy guess is: Man City were sniffing around Moyes... Moyes, who had been given the nod by SAF as his heir apparent, informed him [SAF] of their intentions and, that he will take up their [Man City's] offer.

SAF decided then with the help of his seniors to jump now and, let Moyes take the reigns. Working on the assumption that: Moyes with money would make the noisy neighbours more noisey.

I know it's a bit 'grassy knoll' guess, but after recovering from a dozen beers and some unintelligent chit-chat it sounds very plausible to me......

Assumptions aside and for what its worth, I am going to stick my neck on the block and state that Phil Neville will be the new manager of Everton by the end of this week. And, I may say good luck to him, I think he will be an excellent choice.

I've nothing against Phil as a player or a person but we should be aiming a lot higher than somebody with no management experience.

Let Phil go out and earn his Spurs somewhere in the football league first.

Pip= no managerial experience, shit captain, shit footballer, and in the end a liability.

So what're you basing your choice with Round?

It's time for the team to move forward and take that next step towards champions league football not stagnate or go in reverse with whatnwould be. Like minded manager. All Pip has known is Moyes, so potentially he will just copy him, and be a nearly team, and as for Round the clue is in his name round and round and round and going nowhere!!!

Total change, breathe of fresh air with totally new ideas - Big Sam then?

Personally I would not choose Neville but I would not be up at arms if Kenwright does.

I predict a riot if PN got the nod. Qualities ? Well he's good at pointing his finger and shouting so the veins in his neck stand out. Downside ? No coaching badges that I'm aware of and he wasn't even the best right back at the Club.

What does it say about the aspirations of the Club if they were to go with PN ? We are consistently a top 6 side now and should be choosing a manager who can push on from there. We are not a nursery for wannabees

The Porto fans probably felt the same way when interpreter/translator Jose Mourinho was appointed manager despite having no previous managerial experience.

Everybody has to start somewhere.

Coaching badges can be earned by anyone with enough time to take the courses. Experience can be gained by anyone in a job long enough.

But qualities like leadership, respect and a winning mentality cannot be taught or given to someone on a certificate or coaching badge. Those qualities you either have or you don't. And Phil Neville has them in spades.

No. That is all.

I can't decide who I want to replace Moyes, but Neville is not experienced enough (or in fact at all). I would not object to him being number 2, maybe to Solskjaer but it is to crucial a point in our club history to trust our stewardship to a novice.

If it's an internal appointment I for one will be very disappointed. That won't move us forward we will just tread water for another few years. Pip / Stubbs as manager you have to be kidding. Give me the porto manager,poyet or even rafa. Rafa could be a good choice, he's won again tonight, he's a winner and that's what we need.

In his interview with Blue Union that was transcribed, didn't BK basically say that Pip was the manager-in-waiting? Not sure whether he assumed there'd be a few more years of Moyes with him as an understudy.

As I've stated before, I like Neville as a feller.

As for his abilities as a footballer, not important - many great managers were shit players.

But I think appointing him would be madness and he will quickly be found wanting.

He definitely needs to 'practice' with/on someone from the lower leagues before he's let loose on a PL side.

Imo we need a brain, someone with a plan, someone with some new ideas.

For me, we have a chance for something fresh and different and that simply won't be the case with Neville.

Basically it'll be Moyes-lite.

However I'll go along with Hugh (105) that he will get the job.

I base this on nothing but the fact that if BK has the choice of right or wrong, he'll always choose wrong.

It's an incredible knack.

Neville's first coaching job should not, I repeat not, be with a top 6 side.

It's really that simple. Assistant would be fine. Under an attacking manager please God.

Anyone who has read my posts on here will know I want to see Rafa handed the Goodison hot-seat. I'm not even arsed about his RS past.

And tonight's events over in Amsterdam have hardly swayed my opinion to change.

Unlike our current manager, the guy takes no shit from above, is a winner and a trophy machine.

Let's bring him in.

What does it matter that Pip was past his best as a player for us in regards to whether he'll be a good manager? None whatsoever! It might take him a season or two to become a star manager but let's give him a go!

In the long term, he's going to be a winner as a manager so why not let it be with us. He's certainly not going to take the club backwards. Give him the job, Bill!

Maybe we could sign Neville and then loan him out to a Championship club that need a manager ...Wigan, for example???

Anyone who assumes Phil Neville would be a defensive manager because he was a defensive player should remember Pep Guardiola was a defensive midfielder and Arsene Wenger was a centre back/sweeper.

The truth is we don't know what type of football Phil Neville the manager might employ. Its possible being brought up at Man Utd surrounded by Eric Cantona might make Phil inclined to be quite an attacking manager.

Point is we shouldn't assume anything.

Whenever I see..

"Who would be your preferred choice to succeed David Moyes?"

Then see 'Mark Hughes 0%'.

I think 'it's gonna be him...it's gonna be him...it's gonna be him..."

Conditioned response type stuff, only instead of Pavlov's dog, I'm Kenwright's blue.

Is this some kind of joke? People want somebody who has never been proven in the lower league never mind the EPL to manage this once great club? I'm sorry but if you think Neville is ok to manage this club at this stage of his not even started managerial career then you need to reassess how you view this club. Absolutely awful decision should it ever happen.

Without wishing to compare us with the RS of the 80s.... how much managerial experience did Dalglish have before he was made manager??? And he won the double in his first season!!!!

Now I'm not saying Pip is a 'Dalglish' but I for one would be happy with his appointment.

And to those who say he was a shit player... you don't win 59 England caps and 6 Premier League titles if you're a shit player!!! He would be the first to acknowledge his limitations but give the man some credit.

Pip certainly has some qualities but we are bigger than this!

We have a unique opportunity to kick on now, with a very good squad and substantial TV monies — it has to be Vitor Pereira with Pip as understudy... Thinking of the longer term.

I agree with Dick Brady here... how can anyone assume that Phil Neville will be shite or fantastic. It would be a brave decision to appoint him as manager, but it was a brave decision to appoint Moyes, Wenger and that ex Liverpool back room coach Matt Busby. Not to mention Don Revie and probably many other player managers who went on to build teams and create clubs.

Phil Neville has all the attributes to be a very successful manager, he is respected by the players and thanks to Moyes he has a good team, some good youngsters and a relatively (if Impoverished) stable club.

Go on Bill, be brave and appoint him......

Moyes at least had experience with Preston, and did very well there.

How you can drag Phil Neville into the same box is a long shot at best?

Three words:

Gareth South Gate

When Bill said he would listen to the fans about who they want to be next manager - I hope he actually meant that he would listen to the fans - apart from Hugh Jorgan (if that really is your name), and any other nut job who thinks it would be a good idea to appoint someone who has never managed a football club before take charge of Everton.

Assistant or coach, yes maybe. Manager? Absolutely unbelievably re-fucking-diculous idea!

And whoever mentioned Pep Guardiola and Pip Neville in the same sentence needs to have a word with themselves.

If Phile Neville is offered the job, he'll tell BK to get stuffed if he has any sense.

Hugh Jorgan, like in
Massive Weapon

LB (242) has it right - Phil Nev has many qualities, but no managerial experience. Would be an excellent fit as a #2 to a continental manager like Pereira in my view.

What's the word on Steve Round in all this? Hope he goes with Moyes, always struck me as a yes-man.

I'd have thought that any incoming manager would want to appoint his own number 2.

Only way Pip will get a look in is as No2 to someone like Stubbsy, which I reckon will be what Blue Bill is thinking having got our ex managers blessing.

Neville as a number two wouldn't be so bad, I'd imagine he's learned a fair bit from Moyes, in terms attention to detail, strong work ethic and leadership skills. He could certainly have an impact on the defensive side of the game. However the main man needs to be someone who will mix that with good attractive attacking football.

NO NO NO NO.......NEVER !!

If the chairman listens to the fans re a new manager he will be on a winner as he will have over 20 to choose from and whoever he chooses he will be able to say he listned to the fans.

On national television on Thurs 9th May, Kenwright stated that he would listen to the fans regarding our next managerial appointment — the footage is real and I'm sure we've all seen it. Well you better get him a copy of this full post and make it fucking quick...!!!
Phil Neville .... absolutely never!!

IMO, the next appointment could possibly the MOST important one in our long and illustrious history... We currently lie 6th in the EPL not 17th like when Moyes took over. Moyes was a gamble that in the main worked for Kenwright; however, had Moyes failed then (at that time) deep down if we're being completely honest then most of us were all resigned to us possibly being relegated at some stage due to the mess Walter had gotten us into.

The next manager of EVERTON FC...that's right EVERTON FC....who are still in terms of League titles won the 4th most successful club in English football history... The next manager, depending on who it is, will either push us on to the the next level by playing attacking "we're not frightened of you" football and possibly win us a trophy, or he will kill this club completely... I fear if Neville, Stubbs, Weir, Ferguson or anybody of that ilk is appointed, it will no doubt be the latter and we will become another Leeds, Wolves or Portsmouth at some stage.

I do not trust Kenwright with this appointment... and according to the many reports, posts etc that I've read since Moyes deceided to leave, not many people do. Many of us believe that this decision will be like the majority of decisions he's taken during his tenure... the WRONG one!!

This decision is probably his BIGGEST since he ousted Johnson and the future of our club DEPENDS on it... If he gets it wrong then I fear a return to the Walter days sooner rather than later... or perhaps even worse... And if that happens, then his eyes filling with tears whilst singing "It's a Grand Old Team" on MOTD whilst Moysie milks the applause on the pitch won't save him!!

Think very very carefully Mr Kenwright.....you are destroying this club before our very eyes... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT kill it completely!!

I'm with Ste Traverse here ...... Like him or loathe him (and most do), Rafa is a winner. I've seen him described as "lucky"? Well I will take a lucky manager any day of the week.

Nelly #302, I think that was just a bit of BK Bullshitism that he's prone to when the cameras are turned on him. He did "listen to the fans" in the "vote" for DK - however it was such a flawed process, and the only reason he did it was he knew what a clusterfuck of a proposal it was, and wanted to be able to say "It was the fans' choice" (after he'd sold up and buggered off incidentally).

To be honest, with the "diversity" of opinions expressed on these pages, I don't think listening to the fans is feasible in any sense. It really would be putting the lunatics in charge of the asylum!

It's his choice, he should make it. Or step down as Chairman and hand over the reins to someone who will. And preferably sell up, but I'm getting into fantasy land now.

Matt #317...IMO the best thing Kenwright can do for the club he 'loves' is sell up and fuck right off and take his Board of Buffoons....sorry I mean er...Directors with him toute suite !!

I said in the Fergie post that I come round to thinking Neville is our best option. Ask me a week ago and I'd have laughed but the more I think about it the better it is.

Other clubs have successfully promoted from within and the reason it works is because the club is stable at the time. I know people will point to many occasions where it hasn't worked but I'd argue that that is always when the club is in disarray (generally after a manager has been sacked)

In our case, continuity might just work. Forget Pip the player, he is really well respected and has the respect of the players.

I was thinking, perhaps the last thing we need is someone coming in an ripping the heart out of the team. Fine if you have bags of cash to replace it, but we don't.

Pip could continue in a stable environment. Whether you like Moyes or not, he stabalised the club and Neville would be able to continue what he did well and hopefully improve on the stuff he didn't do too well. He already has experience of taking training sessions and I think, with him in change, we might progress.

Whoever we get is a risk, maybe this is less of a risk and he deserve a chance

It wont be a ‘brave’ decision to appoint Phil Neville as suggested above but neither will there be a ‘riot’ if he gets the job as has also been claimed.
It’s a safe choice isn’t it. You can hear the Kenwright eulogies for Neville and why he‘s so thrilled and excited about him taking the job – “building on the legacy of Moyes, great potential, won trophies, international experience, respected within the club/game, played under 2 (?) of the best managers in the premier league” . It will be a promote from within, continuity approach but more importantly Neville knows the dire financial parameters of the job, will be a cheaper option and certainly wont challenge the board to invest.
I agree with others that Neville has been a good ambassador for the club but I will be disappointed if he’s given the managers job.

Stuart the issue for me is why does he deserve a chance? What senior leadership skills or tactical awareness has he shown? What challenges has he had to overcome? In no other industry would someone with so little experience of a senior position be given the top job and I think that's bizarre.

My answer would be “no”, because we can do better.

Notwithstanding the various positive reasons put forward in favour of Neville (continuity, respected, attitude etc.) why put an untried and untested rookie manager in charge of our club? You might take the risk if we were in the second division with even less money than we have, but we are Everton, 6th in the premiership, with a team which could even make the Champions’ League with a £30-50 million additional investment.

My own criteria would be someone:

· with some sort of track record;
· who encourages decent football;
· knowledgeable about the international market for players (we can’t afford to spend £30 million on home grown talent so they will have to work within a Kenwrightian budget);
· commanding sufficient respect so that decent players will want to join us;
· able to build on the work done by Moyes and Co. so we can continue to grow our own wood and develop talent.

There’s no ideal answer but Pereira looks an exciting prospect who might meet many of the criteria. If it fails we can always fall back on one of our own and play the retrenchment and consolidation game for a few seasons (i.e. back to the start of Moyes’s reign).

I have a horrible feeling that next week BK will issue the following statement: "We have decided to continue David's magnificent legacy by naming our wonderful captain, Philip Neville, as our new manager. Philip will offer continuity and stability to this wonderful club. Steve Round will continue as assistant manager. We wish Philip all the best".
When asked what innovations he will bring to the club Neville responded, " first order of the day is a weeks intensive training of pointing, shouting and scowling. This will make them better players. After that whatever Mr. Moyes and Mr. Ferguson tell me to do."

Martinez and assistant Neville for the win.

This is a wind up surely.....

If not, I sincerely do hope that you are not one of the fans Kenwright will be consulting before making the appointment Steve.

I think some people need to get a reality check here. Yes, he's not the best candidate out there but in my opinion we are not going to get the Porto guy or Rafa or any top big name, as the board will provide no real funds whatsoever unless the new incoming manager sells players. 11 seasons under Moyes proves this as they really didn't back him once except when he had to let someone else go.

I only said Neville due to the fact the players here already all respect him and what he's done in the game and for me would be the safest choice. If we were laden with money, then I would take the risk and punt on someone, but getting a Rafa in and giving him a decent contract – if it goes tits up, that's money big money we have to pay out.

I know we are a huge club; we all know this... but most of the media don't think we are anymore, and I don't know if some of the shitty names on most bookies' lists are down to them, but I really can't see the Porto guy leaving them if he's got Champions League football next season.

I can't see Rafa coming for obvious reasons and really I don't fancy a man that's just got his team relegated and seems to have forgotten that you need to be able to defend as well as attack to make a good football team.

Head says Martinez. Heart says Glenn Hoddle and Ray Wilkins.

David Graves 337 - I don't think we can answer that. Just because you can't see his leadership skill and management skills on the pitch, doesn't mean he doesn't have them.

Many people "in the game" apparently think he has the qualities to do this, people more qualified than most of us.

"In no other industry would someone with so little experience of a senior position be given the top job " - the thing is, none of us are qualified to make this decision in footballing terms. In no other industry would someone be hounded out or influenced by a bunch of fans. Can you imagine Amazon, Google, Barclays or whoever not employing someone because it has a bunch of fans who don't like it?

Football is different in so many ways. It's the reason why Pep Guardiola, who wasn't a big name in management, managed one of the biggest teams in the world. Likewise Dalglish. Because people who know better than the fans decided it was a good appointment, and it kind of worked out.

If Kenwright was going to pick Phil Neville why would he wait for two or three weeks next Monday would do. Lets hope he can have an epiphany and enquire about Pereria.

Why would Rafa want to come to us? We're a small club. Remember?

Nothing against Phil Neville but please God no!

I think Martinez would do well at Everton with better players than he had at his disposal at Wigan.

Ralph #107 - when you said all Pip has known is Moyes and what a shit footballer he was I was going to check with you that you were aware he had 5 premier league winners' medals amongst his haul when he played for Alex Ferguson (as in "He's got more medals than Steve Gerrard!").

But then you suggested Big Sam as a replacement and I realised you were winding us all up all along!

Nice One!!

OH MY GOOD GOD Stevie! NO NO NO NO NO NO and NO again. Not in house, I would rather have Moyes back than have Weir, Stubbs or Pip.
I could do a better job than Pip.

Stuart,

I disagree that we, as fans, are not 'qualified' to have an opinion on who should be our next manager. Football isn't a dark art and we can make objective decisions based on an individual's previous results and proven qualities.

I have read others say that Phil Neville could be a Dalglish or a Guardiola but I think that's specious reasoning.

Realistically, I do think it'll be Phil Neville who'll get the job as I posted on another thread.
Just a gut instinct. There's a lot of wild speculation from pie-in-the-sky wishlists (Gus Hiddink for example) to the ridiculous (Mark Hughes).

While PN wouldn't be my first choice, he'd be better than 90% of the other candidates in my opinion.

On the plus side, surely Phil Neville as manager would at least keep him off the pitch (wouldn't it?!). He is see as having leadership capabilities and there would be some continuity and perhaps a better chance of keeping hold of some of our better players. Might he give the likes of Ross Barkley more of a run in the side or any of the youth (based on merit)?

On the downside, what would he bring that DM lacked? If we want to move onwards and upwards, I am drawn to a line in the original post: "under our board now 6th is the best I think we can really aim for"

Why? The change of manager is an opportunity not a threat.

Phil Neville would make an OK Assistant Manager, if the new Manager went by the name of Roberto Martinez. That way, we get both a fresh start and continuity.