The Silva Lining to the Storm Clouds of 2017-18?
It’s only speculation but Everton could call time on Sam Allardyce's tenure this week. Marco Silva and Paulo Fonseca remain the leading candidates to replace him judging by reports. A look at the former and what he might bring to Goodison.
It's only speculation and feverish rumour at the moment but it could well be that Sam Allardyce will gain in the coming days the clarity he has been seeking when he is informed by Farhad Moshiri that his time is up as Everton manager.
If that is indeed what transpires, it won't come as a surprise to many; perhaps only those pundits incredulous at the temerity of Evertonians to harbour ambition for their club and the minority of Blues who have been arguing that he should be rewarded for fulfilling his remit will genuinely be taken aback. Because, in hindsight, it will become obvious that in the context of Moshiri's broader vision for Everton and the danger in which he believed it to be last November, Allardyce's work is done. He was brought in to perform a specific task but the one that now faces the incumbent of the Goodison Park hot seat is an altogether different one. The paradigm has shifted; time to reset, retool and go again.
If the newspaper reports that foretold of Allardyce's departure just six months into his contract have any grounding, the same two managers who were at the top of Moshiri's wishlist when Ronald Koeman was dismissed, Paulo Fonseca and Marco Silva, are the two candidates to which he has turned in his search for a longer-term hire.
Both Portuguese of a similar age — Fonseca turned 45 in March, Silva will be 41 in July — both ex-defenders with experience of managing in the top division of their native land and success in second tier European leagues, they suggest that Moshiri has identified a type to lead his project at Everton. That is not to say that they are especially similar in their approach or style, of course, but both have attracted attention over the past couple of years, albeit for different reasons.
Fonseca is on course for his second successive Ukrainian league and cup double with Shakhtar Donetsk, an impressive achievement regardless of the narrow nature of the competition in that country, and turned a number of heads for guiding his club out of the Champions League group stages and the manner in which he did it.
His stock has never been higher; he has been talked about in terms of the upcoming vacancy at Arsenal but is likely to be viewed as too inexperienced for the Gunners role, while there is speculation in Italy that Napoli might seriously consider him as a replacement for Maurizio Sarri.
As already outlined in the pages he is an intriguing prospect but while Fonseca has a stated desire to manage in the English Premier League, of the two only Silva has done it and with two different clubs already. Of course, the fact that he only oversaw 42 games at Hull City and Watford combined, that he proved unable to save the former from relegation, that his tenure at the latter ended with the sack, and that he left his jobs at Olympiakos and Sporting in curious circumstances all complicate any assessment of Silva's suitability for Everton.
From Lisbon to Hertfordshire via Athens and Humberside
It's not hard to see why Hull brought him to England in the first place because between the time he hung up his playing boots in 2011 to take up the managerial reins at Estoril and his departure from Olympiakos in 2016, Marco Silva had emerged as one of the fastest-rising young managers in the European game.
His work at Estoril Praia, the club for whom he made more appearances as any other as a player, was nothing short of remarkable. Originally hired in a director of football role by the small Portuguese club in June 2011, he soon shifted to the position of manager during the ensuing season following the departure of Vinícius Eutrópio.
Estoril were 10th in Portugal's second tier at the time but a run of just three defeats in the remaining 24 matches of the campaign ended with the Cascais club winning the division as champions under Silva and gaining promotion to the Primera Liga.
The following season, Silva, improbably, steered Estoril to fifth place and qualification for the Europa League for the first time in their history and eventually left the club in 2014 having gone one better with a fourth-place finish and attracted the attention of domestic giants Sporting.
He would spend just one season at Estádio José Alvalade where he guided the Lions to third place before being dismissed just days after landing the Taca de Portugal, their first piece of silverware in seven years, apparently because he refused to wear an official club suit in an earlier round of the competition.
He was snapped up by Olympiakos that summer to replace his compatriot Vítor Pereira where, again, he would only spend a year but not without notching some more impressive achievements. He led the Greek club to the title by a league record 30 point margin winning 28 of their 30 league games which included a 17-match winning streak, another record.
In the Champions League, the stage on which managers from less fashionable leagues are inevitably judged these days, Olympiakos won nine points under Silva in a group boasting Bayern Munich and Arsenal, the highlight being an unlikely but historic 3-2 victory at the Emirates.
He resigned from his post in the summer of 2015, however, with Olympiakos's pre-season preparations already under way, apparently because of serious interest in his services from Porto. It came as a shock to the club's players but spokesman Costas Karapapas said at the time that there was “something unusual in Silva's behaviour from the first day of the preseason” which had prompted them to line up Spaniard Victor Sanchez as his replacement.
Six months out of the game followed before Hull came calling and he was appointed as Mike Phelan's successor on 5th January 2017 with the club rock bottom of the Premier League with just 13 points from 20 games, far away from safety. They ended the season with 34 points, eventually falling short of what would have been an incredible escape from relegation while also reaching the League Cup semi-final, but the young Portuguese had done enough to convince Watford to make him their latest manager that May after he had stepped down at the KCOM Stadium.
Having gone through eight managers in nine years, it appeared as though the Hertfordshire club had finally found the man who could help them make the step up to being a force in the top half of the Premier League and, perhaps, challenge for a place in the Europa League.
With a quarter of the 2017-18 campaign complete in October, Watford were sixth in the table (they dropped two places from fourth following defeat at Chelsea in their ninth fixture of the campaign) and in a position to potentially achieve what Burnley ended up doing by finishing seventh and claiming the final European berth.
Everton's overt approach for Silva following Koeman's sacking has been blamed by the Hornets' hierarchy for the collapse in Watford's form over the following weeks. Citing "significant deterioration in both focus and results to the point where the long-term future of Watford FC has been jeopardised,” they relieved him of his duties in January this year after a run of three wins in 16 matches and just one in his last 11.
It's not clear when Everton first made their overtures to Silva — two of those defeats came within a week of Koeman's departure and it's believed discussions weren't held until Watford visited Goodison on 12th November — but even accounting for the Pozzo family's notorious propensity to hire and fire head coaches at Vicarage Road at will, it was clear that something had shifted at the club, with rumour abounding that Silva had expected Watford to acquiesce to the Blues' request and had quietly told a couple of his players that he might try and bring them with him in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Whether those count as either mitigating circumstances or a satisfactory explanation for a nosedive in form, Silva's sacking at Watford and his failure to save Hull last season are held up as significant areas of concern by Evertonians weighing up potential options to replace Allardyce at Goodison.
It's worth considering, however, the size of the mountain he faced when he first arrived in England, joining a club sitting on just 13 points a week into the New Year. It's likely that Hull felt they were bringing in a young manager who could lead them back to the top flight this season rather than a saviour in 2016-17 but he came close to becoming the latter.
Two of the three clubs relegated this season had more points than the Tigers did at the same stage of the season and only Swansea, who came as close this term to pulling off a miraculous escape from the drop, can finish this campaign with a higher points total than the Tigers eventually did last year.
Indeed, only one club this century, West Bromwich Albion with their legendary Houdini act of 2004-05, has beaten the drop with as few or fewer points after 20 matches than Hull were on when Silva was appointed. The Yorkshire club eventually fell short by six points (in a season when, unlike this year, the lowest surviving club reached the “magic” 40-point mark) but the fact that he even gave them a fighting chance of staying up is what has been seen as impressive by Premier League observers.
ESPN
Despite losing top scorer Robert Snodgrass in the January 2017 transfer window, he did it with some astute signings, including unwanted Toffees striker, Oumar Niasse, and by turning around Hull's home form with a run of six consecutive wins at the KCOM Stadium before an inexplicable defeat to Sunderland that precipitated an end-of-season collapse that cut their charge to safety off at the knees.
He proved unable to improve his new club's awful away record, picking up just two points from nine games, but his impact on the players was obvious.
As the Hull Daily Mail explained, “it was his work behind the scenes that perhaps made the biggest difference at the club. Players were talking at length about the impact he had made on the training ground, working twice as hard, physically moving people into position…
“The work on training ground immediately started to pay dividends on the pitch, with the likes of Tom Huddlestone looking fitter than ever.”
The same paper expounded on his arm-around-the-shoulder, man-management skills that have perhaps underpinned his successes to date, saying: “He's meticulous and diligent, leaving nothing to chance in his preparations. He's also tactically astute, able to exploit weaknesses of his opponent.
“Above all else, Silva is a head coach that had every player on board. Even those on the periphery of the squad sang his praises.”
The new Martinez or the next Pochettino?
Given his youth, charismatic persona, Iberian origins and relative success achieved at smaller English clubs, Silva's links with the Everton job have inevitably thrown up comparisons with Roberto Martinez, whose career with the Toffees burned bright in his first season before collapsing amid recriminations over the defensive fragility of his team and a general failure to effectively manage matches.
Certainly, Watford's tendency to concede late and throw away points — the Hornets were 2-0 at Goodison but ended up losing 3-2, although the loss to injury of Heurelho Gomes during that game was probably a factor — as they went into a tailspin after November is evocative of the Catalan's struggles in 2014-15 and 2015-16.
Indeed, the description of Silva in this article on the It's Round And It's White blog will bring back some unsettling memories of the Martinez era: “Being an attacking-minded manager, the 40-year-old's first instincts when his men are a goal to the good isn't to close up shop and hope the opposition doesn't find a way through, but sometimes it's the right thing to do.”
Assuming it's correct, was that impression formed purely on the basis of the last dozen or so games at Watford — the same did not play out as much at Hull and tactical assessments of Silva describe how his teams are instructed to transition from a 4-2-3-1 formation when attacking to a compact 4-4-1-1 shape when they lose possession — and, if so, how much was down to an unsettled group of players who felt that, having been targeted by Everton, their manager had indicated a desire to leave them in the lurch and whose ambition meant he was unlikely to stick around when another bigger role came calling?
As The Independent wrote after Silva got the “bullet” in January, “Watford, who started the season snatching games at the death, were now throwing them away at the end. [The board] believe it was a failure of game management which came from a lack of attention from players and staff. [W]hen the manager makes clear he does not want to be there anymore, something fundamental is lost, and cannot be put back.”
Injuries and lack of fitness deprived Silva of the ability to field his best team, discipline on the field appeared to go out the proverbial window at times, and there was friction between the manager and technical director Filipo Girladi over recruitment policy. As the Hertfordshire Mercury posited, “the Hornets were, seemingly, not willing to back Silva and bring in players he wanted, or players in the positions he wanted. It meant Silva was unable to make many changes, even if results went against Watford … All of those issues stem from a relationship with the board that deteriorated after the Everton debacle.”
Hull Daily Mail
Relationships are crucial in football, of course, With the passage of time since his first attempt to lure Silva to Merseyside, Moshiri will have had plenty of time to mull the circumstances over his failure at Watford and whether it casts any different a light on his credentials to manage Everton. Did it add another question mark to those thrown up by the circumstances around his ties departures from Sporting and Olympiakos or could all three instances merely be passed off as differences of opinion with difficult paymasters? (Bruno de Carvalho and Evangelos Marinakis have been described as volatile when it comes to hiring and firing managers.)
Ultimately, while Marco Silva's short coaching history has been a study in producing impressive results in a short period of time and his experience at Vicarage Road was that of Martinez's at Everton condensed into six months, comparisons between two different managers with varying backgrounds and career paths, individual philosophies, quirks and coaching styles are largely redundant. And, as Mauricio Pochettino has demonstrated at Southampton and, now, Tottenham, sometimes you just need to put your faith in an enterprising, ambitious young manager and give him the tools to do the job.
Silva is nothing if not ambitious and it's clear he wanted the Everton role when the possibility arose six months ago. If Allardyce is to be removed from his post and Silva is the man selected to replace him then the hope is that the 40-year-old Portuguese can bed in for a project that could require a five-year commitment and all the rebuilding and restructuring that will entail. Stability has not been a feature of his managerial history to date; perhaps the last few months will have impressed upon him the need to find some in his next assignment.
Without a doubt, he will be operating with a bigger budget than at any time in his career. Given his own apparent strengths with regard to identifying players, much might depend how well he can dovetail with whoever will occupy the director of football position — be that current incumbent Steve Walsh or reported hire, Marcel Brands — at Finch Farm going forward but he will likely find his ambition matched by substantial financial resources.
Beyond that, the unpredictable interplay of personality and fortune, chemistry and energy will be contributory factors to whether a relatively untried coach can take Everton forward to what was promised with the appointment of Koeman two years ago.
← Previously: Paulo Fonseca: A Risk/Reward Dilemma?
Reader Comments (135)
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2 Posted 12/05/2018 at 20:56:20
A niggle at the back of my mind is why has Moshiri not brought him in already, when he is a free agent, and ditch Sam Allardyce after we passed the 40 points mark. This would have given him time to identify what is required playing-wise in what will be a very soon upon us, and truncated, transfer window because of the World Cup.
Should be very interesting next week.
3 Posted 12/05/2018 at 20:58:54
Ever since the curtain fell on that campaign it's been a downward spiral at Everton Football Club and it's time now that the club (on and off the pitch) woke up and started acting like a big club again, or at least a club that has spent £260 million pound in the last two years.
4 Posted 12/05/2018 at 21:02:36
Make it happen Mosh! This time next week it'll be official!
6 Posted 12/05/2018 at 21:16:43
I'm not sure how much difference it makes – wouldn't he get the remainder of his deal paid off regardless? Maybe there would be a negotiated compromise for less if he saw the season out? Or maybe it was just common decency on Moshiri's part (although Allardyce might disagree when 60,000 fans are telling him where to go and how to do it tomorrow!) and he's had the new manager's ear and vice versa for the past few weeks.
7 Posted 12/05/2018 at 21:28:55
I'm hoping that Moshiri has thought this through and after the season has finished (Monday hopefully) he thanks Allardyce for his efforts and tells him that the club now want to move in a different direction and several senior positions would require new faces, his position being one of them.
Quick, quiet, professional.
End of story.
8 Posted 12/05/2018 at 21:32:28
9 Posted 12/05/2018 at 21:43:37
I'm sure we will soon see what Moshiri intends to do. Paradigm shift alright!
With reference to one point made, it makes my heart sink when I see us go in front and then sit back and invite the opposition onto us. I would temper this by saying I've no objection to this tactic in the final quarter of a game. But earlier on it makes for a dour watch and is often not succesful anyway. It just gives the opposition confidence, as it drains from us. Clinging on is what we've come to expect in such circumstances. I'll think you'll find Moshiri doesn't like it either.
10 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:12:12
Brian, 7, I'm not sure how much worse we could look this season mate, but you're probably right in that it seems the decent thing to do.
I wouldn't have waited mind, cut the infection at the earliest opportunity. Heals quicker with a better prognosis then.
11 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:19:01
As it is Moshiri keeps his powder dry, avoids sacking BFS, silva is probably already identifying targets etc also- giving silva a full pre season free of the wreak of this campaign to give him the best possible start to his Everton tenure.
All the pieces of the jigsaw seem to fit. I've said before that Silvas recent history isn't exactly ‘New Mourinho' but at this stage it feels like the juice is worth the squeeze.
12 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:22:51
I don't get the fuss for Silva other than he is Portuguese.
His major success is with his first club as manager Estoril where he got them promoted and won a cup with Sporting. He won the league with Olympiacos but it was their 43rd title.
He has a different philosophy to Pep and Klopp in that his first thought is to keep a clean sheet and to play on the counter attack. He favours a 4-2-3-1 formation with 2 defensive midfielders, so maybe not quite the offensive football some are expecting.
At Olympiacos the fans joked that the team would give the ball to the opposition so they could win it back to break on the counter, so expect lots of 10 men behind the ball with Gueye and Schneiderlin as permanent fixtures even at home.
We all know he was relegated with Hull and his win ratio was 36% and 31% with Watford.
After Estoril his following 4 jobs have beeen for a duration of 12 months or less so he appears to like jumping ship.
With our current squad I do not believe that Silva would get us any higher than 7th which has been achieved by recent managers.
It all depends on the ambition of Everton FC and Silva would signal to me that the clubs ambitions are to remain 7thish with a distant hope of getting 6th if one of the top 6 has a bad year.
Maybe that's the reality for us but I expect Everton to have higher ambitions.
13 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:23:45
14 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:27:33
Great article. A young up and coming manager is what we need. Energy and passion - bring it on. Come on, Mosh, you know it makes sense. Just doooooo it.
15 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:27:48
I don't know much about either manager, but after reading this, I would be quite excited (honestly) if we were to get Silva.
I remember the Watford game, it was the only time Goodison, has really been alive this season, and I personally think this is one of the main reasons that Silva, really wants to manage us?
I really hope so anyway, because I'm desperate for the "old lady" to enjoy its last few years, the way I always used to remember Goodson, in my early years.
Full of noise, passion, character and identity, that's how I want it to end, with a clever manager, who can start us on our new beginning!
16 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:28:23
My only concern for Silva is how quickly his head can be turned, but we need to accept loyalty is nothing in modern day sport. The club needs to be constantly looking forward and have all bases covered should there be an unexpected request for transfer. This is our failing as a club as far as I'm concerned and we need to follow the lead of the bigger clubs by (unfortunately) treating the players/manager with the same value as they treat us, a stepping stone to greater things. The value is in the fans and the history and somewhere along the way this appears to have lost importance.
17 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:36:09
18 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:40:47
Andy's comment (8) is interesting because I'm not sure I've really come out with anything definitive. If it is to be between Fonseca and Silva – all the noise has been pointing that way but who really knows for sure? – then I see pros and cons in both.
Fonseca is the tactician's darling with a degree of relative success in the Champions League but he has a long list of previous clubs prior to Shakhtar where he is in a two-team league.
Silva seems to be more of a man-manager type who obsesses the details and has at least managed in the Premier League but there are question marks over his mentality based on his history and, as a couple of other commenters mention above, he hasn't stayed put for very long.
Both are young and energetic and in the absence of a top-class option with demonstrated pedigree, I think that's what we need. To hand the reins to someone, back them with funds and give them plenty of time to see how things shake out. Every appointment is a risk.
19 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:41:03
20 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:45:39
21 Posted 12/05/2018 at 22:49:31
I think I'm spent, only to hear the "roll up, roll up" of the Lyndon Lloyd stall - everyone a winner. Never to be missed. A cracking read, as ever. Convincing arguments for Silva - I think I'm sold on him.
22 Posted 12/05/2018 at 23:10:31
More worryingly, Kenwright appears desperate to retain Rooney. That is the real issue about the future of this club: poisonous sentimentality or recognition of hard reality. I fear we are about to make some very bad, possibly fatal, mistakes.
23 Posted 12/05/2018 at 23:14:50
I said it on another thread weeks ago that I recon Moshiri has sent him on a mission to come up with a 3 year plan to learn about Everton, the club, the history, the players etc and to come back with a plan to move us forward. Is he the right man, fk knows... But can't be any worse that the last 3 that's for sure. He's been planning who he wants, who's going, pre season, the lot, mark my words... You don't become a billionaire without a plan and making wrong decisions one after an other. It's Everton I know and making plans is not what we are used to, but something tells me this is different.
24 Posted 12/05/2018 at 23:34:28
I don't think it can be stressed enough the wonders he did with Estoril. It's like getting Accrington Stanley into Europe. And then he proved it was no fluke by going one better.
It should also be noted that he had the chance to leave Estoril several times and declined as he wanted to see the job through. Silva and Fonseca's careers intertwine in those early years with Silva outperforming Fonseca.
Fonseca got the Porto job whilst Silva stayed with Estoril for the third season. Silva then beat Porto at Porto to record one of the biggest shocks in Portuguese football and the previously unbeaten Porto fell apart and two more defeats saw Fonseca sacked.
Hull were shocked as Lyndon highlights by the diligence of his preparation and training. You can still see the videos where he has the players enthralled and is clearly man-handling them into positions.
The other thing to bear in mind is that Silva is an astute tactician. His Estoril side were masters of the counter attack. Sporting were more attacking based, with much less counter attacking, Olympiacos were attacking, but excelled in the CL on the counter. Hull were counter attacking. Watford has varying styles depending on the opposition.
That's what he'll bring to Everton. A counter attacking mentality designed to beat the big boys, an attscking game to stick it to the smaller sides. hes pragmatist and will change as things need it. He has a plan B, and a plan C and even a plan D.
I think he ticks all the right boxes and Everton is perfect for him. I can't wait.
25 Posted 12/05/2018 at 23:49:37
26 Posted 13/05/2018 at 00:28:35
Allardyce's position is looking increasingly untenable (even he knows he will not be here next season), Rooney off to kiss a badge in America, Brands rumoured to be on his way, Moshiri buying Woods' shares, talk of Kenwright's departure gathering pace, Esltone off to find his true level in Rugby League, and Silva/Fonseca in a two-horse race for the manager's job?
Like something out of The Godfather, could it be that Moshiri is getting everything in place for a major footballing coup d'état in the next week or so?
If so, Moshiri will come out of the shadows and show he means business.
Imagine the tsunami of energy and momentum that would swiftly follow.
Could this, at last, be the crest of that wave we have all been waiting for?
27 Posted 13/05/2018 at 03:12:29
28 Posted 13/05/2018 at 04:35:46
I would be happy with either of Fonesca, Howe or Silva. Silva seems to have the 'Maverick' edge which, alongside the astute and wiser DOF, and in a more focused well resourced environment could work.
It is possible that after the trials and tribulations of this current season we could be on the verge of an upswing in fortunes which we would really appreciate.
I believe Allardyce is going. I believe good times are ahead. I believe Moshiri is the best thing Boys Pen Bill has done for the Club.
COYB
(And I got through a whole post without mentioning the word 'Allardyce'!)
29 Posted 13/05/2018 at 05:50:33
30 Posted 13/05/2018 at 07:43:17
It's almost ironic, that after Moshiri, allegedly chasing his man at Watford, which eventually led to his sacking, knee-jerk appointed Allardyce, when a more patient stance would have resulted in him getting his man anyway.
Ah, the benefit of hindsight, would have been hypothetical, as to what position we may have achieved. No doubt we would certainly not be collectively counting the hours left for Allardyce to depart.
I can never recall a more unpopular figure, in any capacity at Everton, than Allardyce.
Whether it be Silva, Howe or whoever takes over, there will be unbounded optimism for the future, and depending on signings and departures, genuine hope that better times lie ahead.
31 Posted 13/05/2018 at 08:16:32
I hope Brands and Silva can bring in some quality – the likes of Doucoure, Richarlison, and get Lookman back in the fold. Get shut of Williams, Martina, Bolasie.
Rooney knows he can't cut it in the Premier League and would just be on the bench so doubling his money stateside makes sense for all concerned. Big summer for Everton - other clubs have found that having extra cash doesn't get you instant success. In the case of Man City, they bought plenty of rubbish under Hughes but over the years the quality of their squad improved. Hopefully we do the same.
32 Posted 13/05/2018 at 08:21:32
33 Posted 13/05/2018 at 08:42:14
A mix of youth plus shrewd purchasing (Brand/Wenger even)? If we are going to take a punt, would the fans back an 'old boy' more vociferously? Just putting it out there!
34 Posted 13/05/2018 at 08:47:18
Casting my own mind back to the start of this season, and it was like Koeman, had been brought in on a helicopter at 3pm against Stoke, to get to work with some shambolic ingredients.
We looked poor from the off, undercooked, and without a chef. So for this reason, I hope Ian @23 is correct, and Marco Silva, has been working diligently behind the scenes, simply because it makes a load of sense.
As for the managers job Lyndon, I've think I've seen Everton play under twelve managers, (not counting the caretakers) and without wanting to create any arguments, only Howard Kendall, first time around has really done the job properly.
Considering he also made a lot of mistakes, then it shows how important a decision this is. I'm just praying that whoever we get makes it a lucky thirteen for me, but then I remembered Allardyce, which just goes to show how unlucky that number really is!
35 Posted 13/05/2018 at 08:58:59
I think a great article mate and still believe our future or demise revolves around the new stadium and investment plans on and off pitch are linked to that.
I made my billions (yeah right) by having a strategy that looked beyond just tomorrow and to the medium and long term.
I hope a young manager can improve us as we move towards leaving Goodison and get the infrastructure in place to deliver an increasing return on investment on the pitch.
But bottom line is we must remain in Premier League and if the youngster cannot deliver, then there may be another change or two before we move house.
I have hated last season on the pitch with bloody Sam but I have tried to keep my gaze fixed on the new stadium and a belief there is a longer-term plan around this. If rumours of increasing his stake are true, this makes me even more convinced about Moshiri and a stadium happening. Anyone can see the club has no commercial future without this and Moshiri doesn't strike me as a type who risks his money on a vague hope. The recent Meis tweet also encouraged me as there are reputations being put on line.
Silva and the new DoF could be a great double signing and hopefully sweep away the like of Duncan Ferguson and others who, to me, have Kenwright sentimentality written all over them. Elstone going already I believe.
Will we start winning things this coming season? Who knows. Play better? Probably. Attract media attention and improved status? Maybe a bit.
But I still remain convinced that the stadium-related business plan exists and can drag our club, kicking and screaming, into the modern era. And I do think it will be kicking and screaming.
If I am mistaken in this optimism and the plan fails or does not exist, then I see the club slowly and painfully withering away and investors losing money and reputation.
I think in the future that song (which I hate so much) "If ya know your history..." will not be sung as a celebration of a past that is covered in cobwebs, but changed to be a reminder of the Kenwright years as parts of the change are inevitably uncomfortable or we squabble about the quality of the Proscecco at the new ground!
So, a numbing season ends today, the sun is out and just maybe things are going to be good in the future.
We can choose to risk some hope or spend the summer in that no lose position of moaning and predicting the worst, knowing if we do improve, we can just do a U-turn without having invested anything of ourselves emotionally.
So keep (or rediscover) the Faith!
PS If Sam is kept as manager, I withdraw all the above, I will deny I ever said it, and I will be at Prenton Park next season!
36 Posted 13/05/2018 at 09:10:11
He completely and utterly transformed Hull City in a short space of time, from what they ate and how they trained, to how they arrived at the KComm for home games. Had they appointed him six weeks earlier, they would have stayed up.
Remember the Tigers refusing to leave the away end last season, singing his name repeatedly despite a 4-0 drubbing? They clearly knew what his contribution had been.
37 Posted 13/05/2018 at 09:16:38
On a different but related note, West Ham linked to Fonseca, Pellegrini and now Emery. Could all be bollocks of course, but what pisses me off the most is that the media do not see the potential removal of Moyes and show of ambition to find a top replacement as an issue for the Hammers, yet we are rounded upon from all corners and torn to pieces for thinking the same way.
38 Posted 13/05/2018 at 09:26:30
My main concerns in appointing the "right manager" for us would be long-term vision in attacking, attractive football + a minimum "emotional connection" to the club so that, hopefully, if all goes well, we'll have a manager in place taking us forward in our building plans, breaking into the top six, winning something (FA Cup, League Cup... something!).
He has to feel Everton.
We don't want us to end up releasing the guy in 2 or 3 years and hunting down another manager.
I would hope for someone who'd feel for the Everton shirt and club and be in place as long as the likes of Harry Catterick, Arsène Wenger, Alex Ferguson.
Having said that, I'm all for giving Silva a go at it. I'm not in a position to make these stipulations in the contract!!
39 Posted 13/05/2018 at 09:27:27
Silva could be the right man at the right time for us. At 40, he has served his managerial apprenticeship and is ready for the real thing.
Taking the Everton job is a step up for him, the expectations and level of competition for a top 6 spot are immense.
We have to overhaul Liverpool and a 54 goal deficit to get 4th. We have to better Arsenal to finish 6th and they way they turned us over at Goodison this season that will not be easy.
It is a mammoth task. No manager will walk in and do that overnight.
Silva can get us closer and build the club incrementally. I want him to make us fearless against the top 6 clubs, to challenge them. It is completely shocking the way we have rolled over in recent years.
He will be 44 by the time we move into the Bramley-Moore Dock, the target is for us to be real challengers for the top 4 spots by then. Year-in & year-out. If Silva can build towards that goal, he is doing his job.
If and when he is appointed, we need a degree of unity, especially initially, when form maybe up and down. Give him a season's grace where we are all behind him.
40 Posted 13/05/2018 at 09:51:16
Try the BBC Football website under the Gossip tab. It lists the headlines from all the papers.
Also mentions this is Sam Allardyce's last game.
41 Posted 13/05/2018 at 09:56:09
Much as people hate him, he has done that and done it was relative ease - albeit at the expensive of shit-to-watch football. Not news there though eh?
I'm of the opinion that with there having been zero talk from Silva, zero talk from the media about him getting any jobs, that Everton do have him lined up for the summer and beyond.
The jury is out on Silva in my view, and you simply never know how things will pan out if he gets the gig. One thing we will all need it patience, not something we're very good at but he isn't going to fix us in one season, and probably not in two either. It's also a World Cup year so the transfer market will be all-to-cock as well.
42 Posted 13/05/2018 at 10:01:34
I would like to see us gamble on a real unknown quantity and have a go at winning something in earnest. Nigelsmann would be top of my list.
No 'five year plan' nonsense. Let's recruit well this summer and go for it.
43 Posted 13/05/2018 at 10:10:24
Let's hope he is given some time to put his mark on things. I for one, will gladly give him a couple of transfer windows to put his stamp on things.
Hoping for 3 points today and break the 50-point barrier and secure 8th place!
44 Posted 13/05/2018 at 10:16:48
45 Posted 13/05/2018 at 10:40:26
I've never been so downbeat about the club as like this season.
Whatever happens there must be a proper plan and no more half-hearted knee-jerk efforts to stop the rot.
The rot has been permanent rot for 30 years. Now it must stop.
Until there's an announcement, I'll believe nothing.
46 Posted 13/05/2018 at 10:47:20
47 Posted 13/05/2018 at 10:53:45
Building from the base we have got, we should be able to get into the mix for the cups next season. Everton should aim to have something positive to play for in February 2019, not 2025.
48 Posted 13/05/2018 at 11:14:27
49 Posted 13/05/2018 at 11:20:35
50 Posted 13/05/2018 at 11:21:02
One, he said the other day,bin defence of his record since joining us, "We've achieved a fantastic points total ". If he thinks 49 points is a fantastic points total, that proves again that he is not the man to take us forward.
Two, he then glibly announces there's nothing wrong with our style, and again he basically says that's the only way our players can play. What a pile of BS. Isn't his job supposed to be coaching the players to play in any style he as the manager decides to employ? No, not Sam. Blame the players as usual by saying they are so one-dimensional that they are incapable of adapting their play, which means they are not sufficiently trained as professional footballers.
I am truly sick of the absolute nonsense this man spouts in defence of the indefensible. He is crap and he knows it but does his best to deflect all his shortcomings
51 Posted 13/05/2018 at 11:25:48
52 Posted 13/05/2018 at 12:02:00
So, he's been sacked twice. Once for winning a trophy but not wearing a suit and the other for doing better than both the fella that he replaced and was replaced by. You're right. Let's swerve this one.
53 Posted 13/05/2018 at 12:17:12
"No 'five year plan' nonsense."
Okay... But be prepared for season after season of shit signings, new crap managers, and watching us play Sheffield Wed at a crumbling and embarrassing Goodison Park.
Enjoy
54 Posted 13/05/2018 at 12:19:50
I too would be happy with Eddie Howe. His side plays decent attacking football and given an opportunity like ours, with money to spend, could be perfect for Everton...
55 Posted 13/05/2018 at 12:28:13
Plus Silva with the present board and present squad will not get us much further even if he turns out to be a revelation. We simply are lacking in real quality players.
56 Posted 13/05/2018 at 12:40:43
57 Posted 13/05/2018 at 12:42:35
58 Posted 13/05/2018 at 12:50:51
I'd rather a coach who I feel confident would get the best out of our players than any show of ‘ambition'.
59 Posted 13/05/2018 at 13:00:18
Find the best up and coming coach and back him with the best up and coming players and a spine of proven quality.
60 Posted 13/05/2018 at 13:04:47
Silva
Fonseca
Howe
Nagelsmann
Brendan Rodgers
Mikel Arteta
And let Brands make the decision, not Moshiri.
61 Posted 13/05/2018 at 13:17:01
What is for sure is Allardyce is on his way; he knows it and we fans know it and I pray Moshiri knows it too!
I saw somewhere on the BBC website that the club are calling Rooney's representatives in for talks this week. I thought it was already odds on he was going? All in all, a very interesting week ahead.
62 Posted 13/05/2018 at 13:20:42
I wouldn't discard any of them, neither would I like to be in the position of choosing the next manager as I got Martinez and Koeman totally wrong.
I would just like to say in Silva's defence, that he ALMOST saved a terrible Hull team from relegation and that his Watford team were a million miles better than us until we turned his head and their season almost came off the rails.
63 Posted 13/05/2018 at 13:44:20
64 Posted 13/05/2018 at 14:28:06
Let us stop buying fcking lottery tickets and hoping to hit the jackpot when appointing managers, There is plenty of money to buy shite footballers put this into the kitty to attract a genuine TOP manager of which the Top 6 would be proud to have in their dugouts, ,,neither of these has acheived anything
65 Posted 13/05/2018 at 14:30:11
66 Posted 13/05/2018 at 14:39:24
On the other hand, at this stage of our decline, any change is good change, and I'll be taking my seat in August with at least a little bit of excitement if we have a new manager, whoever he is. Silva, Fonseca, Arteta, Wenger, even Eddie Howe - let's just get one in quickly and let him sort out this fucking mess of a squad asap.
67 Posted 13/05/2018 at 14:41:05
Marco Silvia is young and his teams play with pace and energy. As a fan my expectations are always beyond reasonable objectives. This is not an easy job. Parts of the team need rebuilding such as the defence and midfield. The club could stick with sam allardyce and yes we will be safe in the league but we must strive for more. Sam has indicated three more top signings for a push for top six. I agree, but the entertainment on the pitch is the problem. Results are key but if sam could add quality then who knows our style may change.
The board have tough decisions to make but whatever they decide have to be respected. Interesting week's ahead.
68 Posted 13/05/2018 at 14:46:55
Where is this Portuguese fetish coming from can anybody explain ??
69 Posted 13/05/2018 at 15:35:52
Silva has so far shown that a)he might nearly save us from relegation if we are in a bad position when he arrives or b)that he might possibly get us to 7th place so long as someone else doesn't offer him a job. For me that is not enough to show that he can deliver the success that Everton Football Club deserves. Success that Sam Allardyce cannot provide either (he did the job I wanted now he can go with a nice fat cheque as a reward).
Everton need to look at managers who can do something in the EPL, who can point to a record that says I know what I am doing and there is the evidence. Who that is I don't know but there are a few out there who are probably worth looking at.
The one thing I do know is that whether the new manager is 10 years old or 80, they need to have an understanding of the modern game which in my view rules out Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho. I don't want anymore tick a taka football I want a manager who can inspire the team, understands the need to play attacking football for 90 minutes whilst maintaining defensive rigour and more than anything, can wipe the big grins off the faces of the RS.
70 Posted 13/05/2018 at 16:08:29
Yeah, the last thing we need is a young manager, who plays exciting football and possibly wins something.
Ferguson didn't come from the Spanish, German or Italian leagues. Neither did Wenger, or Mourinho when Chelsea appointed him the first time.
On the other hand. Ramos, Magath and Mazzarri all did.
You never know.
71 Posted 13/05/2018 at 16:38:17
Silva was actually sacked by Watford for managing one win in eleven games and for trying to jump ship after eight games to move to Everton. He has a character issue no doubt.
72 Posted 13/05/2018 at 17:08:19
I was responding to this statement.
"There is a reason why Man City, United, Chelsea and even the RS appoint managers from leagues like Spain, Italy and Germany; it is because these are the only leagues where a manager's past performance can provide some evidence as to the ability of that manager to perform in the EPL."
I mentioned SAF, Wenger and Mourinho as examples of managers that hadn't managed in the countries mentioned. Nothing to do with them being 'novices' as you put it.
Although SAF's success in Scotland would be deemed irrelevant using the logic mentioned in the post I have just quoted and was responding to originally. As would JM's.
*That* was my point.
73 Posted 13/05/2018 at 18:15:21
For me, it is all about player recruitment. Guardiola and Mourinho together couldn't do much with our present shower, I think. On the other hand, when a group of good players, with the character to sort themselves out on the field, come together, then it doesn't really matter who the gaffer is. Harry Catterick had plenty of faults as a manager, as did Don Revie, but they recruited great teams. Liverpool seem to sign an unending series of great strikers. So I am more interested in what happens in the transfer market this summer. If we don't make good signings, the next season will be just the same as this.
74 Posted 13/05/2018 at 18:37:54
Unfortunately, everything comes from the top down, the guys in charge lay down the minimum requirements for the manager and he lays down what levels of performance are acceptable. Players don't really give a monkeys as to what colour shirt they are wearing as long as their salaries arrive on time each month.
I don't care if the new manager - if there is going to be a change - has a CV to die for or is wet behind the ears, what we need is a forceful personality who enjoys winning and hates losing. A manager who the fans can relate to and one who tries to give us what we want, too many of the names associated with the Premier League, aren't bothered about the legacy they leave behind, mostly they can only view the future as the next fixture.
If Everton were to play to a decent level next season and finish in and around where we are now, I'll be reasonably content, but if we stick with Sam or appoint a similar type of manager who grinds out results with no care for the entertaintment of the fans then we are in for another tough year, regardless of the results.
75 Posted 13/05/2018 at 19:22:26
All I will say is if you have a little spare time and type in on YouTube Marco Silva training and watch how he gets involved and drills the players is a breath of fresh air, compared to the previous two who just seem to stand on the touch line looking at their shoes.
Few others out there as well but I like the look of Silva and the involvement he has with the team.
76 Posted 13/05/2018 at 19:31:55
The main point of my post however was that in my opinion a)Silva is not the manager Everton need; b)a young manager is not a key requirement to be used by Everton when looking for a manager and c)success is more likely if we choose a manager from on of the other three major European leagues (although not guaranteed).
There are British managers out there and if we are looking at managers who stopped clubs going down (rather than nearly), we could go for Roy down at Palace or Hughes at Southampton. Or, my preferred approach, we could look for a manager who has both the experience (as manager or coach) with a team that has had a reasonable period of sustained success or progress and who can play an exciting style of football and if given a decent transfer fund can find the players to really move Everton FC up a level. There are a few out there who might do that with a couple in Germnany or 2/3 in Italy. I am not desperate for a Spanish manager having been there once already.
77 Posted 13/05/2018 at 19:56:02
78 Posted 13/05/2018 at 20:15:01
That is my blue print.
Silva reminds me of a Martinez version 2018 and Fonseca is very unknown.
79 Posted 13/05/2018 at 20:22:53
80 Posted 13/05/2018 at 20:32:04
81 Posted 13/05/2018 at 20:58:43
The evidence of his strong record at Everton, with minimal resources, is irrefutable. Without a shred of doubt Moyes not only saved us from dropping through the trapdoor into the Championship and beyond but he also had us punching well above our weight for the majority of his tenure. Given sound financial backing he would ensure the club started to fire on all cylinders again and be propelled into the top four within a couple of seasons.
If his reappointment is deemed to be unacceptable by the Board, then surely Arsene Wenger with Mikel Arteta would be a thoroughly good second choice. Wenger is a proven winner and Arteta, under his tutelage would be in a strong position to take over in two or three years. Wenger's age is largely irrelevant as Roy Hodgson has illustrated
Whatever happens this Director of Football nonsense, currently in the shape of Steve Walsh, has to be scrapped once and for all
82 Posted 13/05/2018 at 21:00:17
83 Posted 13/05/2018 at 21:02:12
84 Posted 13/05/2018 at 21:06:11
85 Posted 13/05/2018 at 21:06:29
There is white van with flashing lights and a secure jacket on it's way as a result of your first suggestion.
Stick to the second one when they arrive and you may just get a sedative!
86 Posted 13/05/2018 at 22:56:46
87 Posted 14/05/2018 at 08:31:20
88 Posted 14/05/2018 at 09:58:43
The big question is whether these men who've managed by cutting their coat according to the cloth available, could cope with a slightly different cloth and a more flamboyant style of coat. Just as I doubt whether Guadiola, Mourinho, Klopp could cope without the resources that allow them to buy four or five £50 million plus players. However, the secret to all good management (Mourinho may be the exception) is good man-management. The four mentioned above all seem to excel in getting the best out of their individual players and thus creating good teams.
89 Posted 14/05/2018 at 13:27:35
90 Posted 14/05/2018 at 13:34:22
This is a young dynamic manager who's won cups and leagues and mroe importantly has improved the results of all 4 clubs that he has taken over.
He's a highly rated coach which is what we need. A proper organiser. Because we are a mess. We need a whole new, modern system.
He knows the league. And he's free.
If we could get the likes of Emery, Wenger and Conte etc then sure i'd be interested but we have absolutely no idea that we could. The likes of Howe and Dyche bear consideration but Silva has played (relatively) effective, attractive football at 4 different clubs rather than just one like them. He seems the perfect fit to me.
91 Posted 14/05/2018 at 13:41:35
92 Posted 14/05/2018 at 13:42:30
93 Posted 14/05/2018 at 13:50:47
I shall tell you why I think he could be:
1. World Class Coach - He is unquestionably one of the best managers out there on the training pitch. His ability to transform players is well documented. He does not watch from afar (Koeman and Allardyce) letting others (Erwin Koeman and Craig Shakespeare) do the work for him and lose something in translation. This team needs a coach. These players need coaching. Even the new players (if we have a new influx) will need a lot of coaching.
2. Pragmatist - Koeman, Martinez and Allardyce all were accused of having one set way of playing and no way of changing things when things are not working. I think that was a little unfair on Koeman. However, he had no idea what to do in the games before he was sacked. Silva is a man who does have a plan B and a Plan C and a Plan D. Through his excellent and intensive preparation his teams are able to play a variety of ways. Expect different strategies for different opponents as Silva seeks to capitalise on weaknesses.
3. Winner - Silva wins trophies. His last full seasons in management have seen an upward trend: 1st (Div 2), 5th, 4th, 3rd, 1st.
4. Preparation - the manager Silva is most compared to is Jose Mourinho. Not only because of his preference for counter attacking football, but mostly for his diligence. Silva is a workaholic who does a lot of work himself on the opponents. He compiles dossiers and gives specific information to each player so they know what to do. This might sound straight forward, but it is not something any of our previous managers since Moyes has done, and it far surpasses Moyes.
5. Charisma - Silva is a charismatic guy. Expect him to come in and say the right things. Expect him to back that up with results and suddenly the fanbase will be united and with a smile on our faces. The media also fall for his charm and they will be pushing us, rather than knocking us. Expect to see something like first season Martinez (off the pitch) and then the results to continue this over the long term.
I don't see many candidates, realistic or not, who tick all the boxes of a potentially great manager the way Silva does. Sure, he could flop badly as there is no guarantees in football, but if you have to rate him for all the components as a manager in a "top trumps" style, and do so over his entire career, then he surely scores top marks.
Surely, the sign of a great manager is what his former players think of him. Troy Deeney didn't play much under Silva. He was interviewed and it was clear they were giving him the opportunity to give his former boss a kicking. Even he had nothing but good things to say and wonder what might have been. Read what the Sporting, Olympiacos, and Hull players think, and it's a similar story. The guy is going to be a world class coach, he will win the biggest trophies, and we should hire him to be the club he does it with.
94 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:07:06
Love the selective stats though, about his last "full" seasons. Unfortunately his last "part" seasons - and his only experience so far in the PL - have seen him relegated from PL, and win 1 in 10 before being sacked.
I'm not saying he won't be the Messiah, he may well be, and I haven't seen any better options throw their hat in the ring, but the stats really don't back up your incredible confidence, any more than Martinez winning the FA Cup (an actual English trophy, not a Greek one!) made him the answer to all our problems.
95 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:23:52
We are just a laughing stock.
96 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:24:28
His time at Hull was not a stick to beat him with. Had he been there for a full season and replicated his earlier form, then he'd have kept them up. Remember Steve Bruce defied the odds to take them up. He then asked their barmy owner for cash to keep them up, Bruce was told there would be no cash and knowing the situation was hopeless he resigned at the dawn of the new season. Mike Phelan took over as caretaker. He defied the odds getting a few big wins, then got the job permanently, and then didn't win again. Silva got 21 points with Hull in 18 games. Phelan had 13 points from 20 games. Silva only needed to replicate his form to do what Bruce thought impossible. BBC Hull said this about him:
"His drive, energy and focus for the job was unwavering and his values rubbed off on his players and the fans. He was always viewed as a coach bound for bigger things and brighter times."
At Watford, he experienced his ONLY ever bad run of form. Let me make this abundantly clear. At Estoril he won and he won. At Sporting he won even more games. At Olympiacos he won all but 2 games in that season. He wins games at a devastating rate. He does it with underdogs (Estoril and Hull) with favourites (Sporting and Olympiacos) and he even does it on the biggest stage (Olympiacos beating Arsenal at Emirates in the Champions League).
Watford didn't sack him because he was a bad manager. They made it very clear that they sacked him because they thought we turned his head. No one at Watford doubts his abilities. So why do some of you?
97 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:26:29
No such luck.
98 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:31:06
Its very simple for me, this is a manager who has IMPROVED the RESULTS of EVERY club he has been at. That was not true of Martinez, his league results were no better than his predecessor.
Silva has only ever made teams better.
Why would we not want that guy?!
99 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:35:50
Silva is a hopeful punt. Most managers work hard these days, are professional in their approach, study the game. Remember how we were told Martinez had two television sets in his living room, so his wife could watch Eastenders while he studied game after game after game, sitting with his headphones on? I don't remember any players having a bad word for him either, and Dave Whelan never shut up about how great he was.
100 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:37:51
Do we want a steady Eddie like Moyes or even Allardyce and rumble along in 7th or 8th?
Or do we want to break the top 6? If so we need a talented coach with ideas and a plan on how to take us there.
101 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:42:25
Extrapolating that stat puts him at 42-48 points for the season.
We've just finished this one with 49 and we were utter SHITE mate.
Have to admit I'm wary of going on stats alone as they can be used in creative ways to very often say what you want them to.
Not gonna castigate the man though as I believe almost anyone would be an improvement on Allardyce.
With regard to breaking into the top six; we have NO chance with this set of players, no chance whatsoever IMHO.
102 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:43:18
"His time at Hull was not a stick to beat him with. Had he been there for a full season and replicated his earlier form, then he'd have kept them up."
If Allardyce had been here from the start of the season and replicated his earlier form, then he'd have got us Champs League.
Neither was and neither did.
Silva had good early form with both Hull and Watford and then the form of both sides dipped. One got relegated and he got sacked from the other.
I'm not against Silva, but there are red flags.
103 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:44:18
Sticking with Allardyce would be a gamble. Hiring a new manager would be a gamble. Whatever the club do next is a gamble.
However, I think if you apply careful analysis then Marco Silva is our best chance at cracking the top 6 within 2 seasons. Surely that is worth a gamble?
If you can name a manager who is a better coach than Silva, is a better tactician than Silva, and is better at match preparation than Silva, and would realistically come here, then name him. If you're right I'll back and champion him as well.
104 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:47:45
105 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:48:28
We both want the same outcome, but I'm not convinced by your hype of the guy.
106 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:53:40
Sorry mate, but it isn't hearsay. As a follower of Sporting, I feel I can judge their manager and their players. Which is also why I can say with authority that the prolific Bas Dost is just a big yard dog.
107 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:54:07
Leave the stats out of it, they simply don't back up your theories. The stories of how great a coach he is are better, even if they are hearsay and remind me of the hype before Martinez came here.
108 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:56:47
109 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:56:52
Personally I would prefer Emery who may or may not be tempted to come but if not I would try to tempt wenger and then bring in Arteta or Viera to work with him.
If he wants to stay in the Premier league I would think he sees us a the most likely club to break into the top 6 other than the current top 6.
110 Posted 14/05/2018 at 14:57:46
That's simply not true. You're selecting only two clubs he's managed as his winning percentage while ignoring the rest of his short and successful managerial career. He has already won more trophies than Allardyce, managed more matches in the Champions League than Allardyce. He took over a dreadful Hull side and nearly got them to stay up. He was the talk of the league at Watford until, and I do not believe it a coincidence, we wanted to bring him here and their performances dropped.
111 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:00:40
You don't have to like a good boss, but you must respect them. These players are earning lottery wins every year, they don't need to be playing every week, as it doesn't affect them financially. A brilliant motivator will always win the day.They will squeeze every last yard out of a player. Sadly, the RS have found one in 'Klipperty.'
I have no faith in the Everton hierarchy whatsoever. We haven't found a world-class player in 30 years, what makes anyone think they have the wherewithal to unearth the next great manager? The mighty Southampton have put us to shame with both their player and managerial recruitment - and that club went out of business less than 10 years ago FFS! The price we pay for having a Corrie actor as our dear leader.
This Everton squad will go on their holidays quite content with an 8th place finish. So will the board. Until we employ people who won't be satisfied with 5th,6th,7th or 8th, then the cycle will repeat and repeat. Offer the current Everton board 7th now, for next season, and they would bite your hand off.
That is the message both manager and players receive in pre-season. That, and 'a good run in the Cups.' There is no belief, and certainly no ambition. That my friends, is why we always finish in a Wallingesque 'seventhish.'
112 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:03:50
As for Emery's skillset. He leaves PSG under a cloud. There has been a lot of criticism of him, his coaching and his tactics. So even a talented coach like Emery is not without doubt.
As for Arteta or Veira alongside Wenger, that will never happen. The chances of bringing in Wenger are non-existent. He won't line up against Arsenal. Let's say he did though, he'd want his own team, not to be forced to bring in Arteta or Veira as his number 2. So if they come in further down the pecking order, why would Arteta leave City to take up a similar position with us? Why would Veira leave management (very well paid job) to be a coach for us?
Sorry, Jay but it isn't happening. Wenger will take an international job next. My money is that after Southgate is shown up and sacked in the world cup, then Wenger will take then England job.
113 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:03:59
114 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:10:10
115 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:22:27
I reckon Silva is a done deal antway but I still believe Wenger is attainable.
Emery I agree with you but he was my choice before Allardyce and he's done nothing to change my opinion that he could be a success in the Premier league. Surely some of the worlds best coaches would relish coming up against Mourhino and Guardiola.
He knows our potential as a club and although he loves Arsenal I believe he would welcome the chance to prove the hierarchy wrong.
Maybe its a dream but thats all weve got right now.
116 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:29:00
Jay, I agree with you that Emery is still a top coach. PSG are a basket case of a club. I just expect him to get a CL level job from Spain or Italy. I think the RS will win the CL, Zidane will get sacked and then Emery will get Real, or Real hire Pochettino, and Emery pops up at Spurs.
There's also going to be merry-go-round movement after the World Cup. Or Emery may feel he should put his feet up for a few months and wait to see which of the big 6 in England, the big 3 in Spain, or the big 5 in Italy make a bad start and then jump in there.
Wenger will be England or France manager next. He already hinted that international management is next. He confirmed that he would not be opposed to managing England, which in manager-speak is as good as asking for the job.
117 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:32:24
I'm not dead set against Silva but we are not going to attract anybody who is a gamble of sorts and I guess the job of the board is mitigate the level of that gamble.
118 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:40:43
And yes, it's a gamble appointing him. It's also a gamble whoever we appoint. It's also a gamble to keep Allardyce.
I'd rather gamble on Siva as I believe he can deliver the big time, and I fail to see who else can, especially without a shed load of cash.
119 Posted 14/05/2018 at 15:51:26
I wasn't defending Allardyce, just using him to make a point. I think you may have missed the point I was making, but never mind.
There are obvious concerns regarding Silva.
Why have his only 2 premier league teams started well under him but then gone backwards.
Do the players get fed up with the hands on approach? Will senior players like being pulled around the training pitch. Will they take on new and fresh ideas?
Do his training methods take too much out of the players? Why else did Hull and Watford go into decline after their initial surge?
We have a squad of players who know how to get a manager sacked. We have a lot of senior players, past their best, who are happy giving 80%. We have youngsters, not yet at their best, who will give their all but will be influenced by the senior players.
We have too many players who are not at their best. Too young or too old. Whoever gets the job will need to have the respect of this disjointed and apathetic squad. He'll also need fate, destiny, and all of the Gods on his side!
120 Posted 14/05/2018 at 16:12:08
121 Posted 14/05/2018 at 16:19:07
122 Posted 14/05/2018 at 16:29:40
We need a manager who is so strong minded and streetwise as to look upon every game we play as winnable. Somebody who has ambitions of building his own trophy winning team. Someone who would love nothing more than go head to head with the money clubs and take some scalps.
Hopefully this is what the owner is looking for but after so many false Dawns it is really hard to get excited about this club of ours.
123 Posted 14/05/2018 at 16:31:17
He came in and did brilliant, but had a completely unsustainable run of form. The results are then skewed as after Hull were confirmed as relegated they had two thumpings. Whilst they had a chance at staying up their form was good.
Watford's run of 1 win in 10, I would put down to us turning his head, turning the players heads (banging on his door and asking to come to Everton with him). It's difficult to turn that around.
Silva has never had a bump in the road before. I said at the time, and have repeated it, the question mark over Silva is how will he overcome the inevitable rocky patch. We still don't know, Watford didn't give him enough time to do so. That's the big question mark for me about him.
As for all your other questions about his methods certainly not. The players from Estoril still love him, same with Sporting and Olympiacos. The Hull lads can be founded singing his praises when he went to Watford. And as I posed above, Troy Deeney, marginalised by Silva, had nothing but good things to say about him. So no, his training doesn't burn people out or lose effectiveness. People are concentrating on one 10 game spell in a 6 year career. Why not put the fact that he won the Greek league by an all-time record 30 points under the spotlight? I mean has any manager ever won the league by this amount, ever, in any league?
124 Posted 14/05/2018 at 16:37:14
Players like Keane will benefit immensely from his first hand coaching. Both technically and confidence wise. The youngsters likewise.
The last thing we need is a big name in an Armani Suit who is here because he first 3 preferences overlooked him.
Silva wants the job, is hungry for it and that's got to count for something.
I think if he comes to us he won't go about the job half heartedly, he will throw everything into it and give his all.
As a club we have a mountain to climb just to usurp Arsenal in 6th . We have a 60 goal deficit to overcome to get ahead of the team in 4th.
This makes me think that he needs a bit of breathing space. The task is so big he needs it. We won't bridge gaps like that overnight.
All the managers being mentioned carry risks and/or are unobtainable. Silva is obtainable and we were prepared to pay 15m in compensation for him 6 months ago.
Silva is the right man at the right time. I just hope that Mr Moshiri is not sitting on his hands whilst West Ham are promising him the earth to join them.
I want to see Silva signed by the end of this week.
125 Posted 14/05/2018 at 17:18:10
126 Posted 14/05/2018 at 20:23:02
127 Posted 14/05/2018 at 20:23:02
128 Posted 14/05/2018 at 21:13:32
129 Posted 14/05/2018 at 22:10:46
That doesn't come as a surprise. They've made a career of coming 7th-ish and have had a very comfortable time. Nobody will turn them into winners. Coleman aside, they all need to be moved on.
No manager will turn this lot into a top 6 team.
I see that WHU are going to depart with Moyes because they want someone who can take them to the next level. My immediate reaction is to dismiss their ambition as they are shite and should no that they have no chance of joining the elite.
Sad thing is, that's how other supporters and pundits view us.
Until we get rid of everyone at the club who celebrate 7th-8th, from top to bottom, our talk of getting to the next level is as laughable as WHU's.
130 Posted 15/05/2018 at 10:36:22
He was then sacked after a year at Sporting and "resigned for personal reasons" after a year at Olympiakos. Two stints in the PL with poor squads and iffy results.
Currently in legal dispute with Watford. Hope I'm wrong but he sounds like a second-rate Martinez.
131 Posted 15/05/2018 at 20:17:01
As for the next manager, the apparent instability of Marco Silva has to be put into perspective. Greek and Portuguese football chairmen are not, by and large, known to be staunch defenders of stability and continuity, perhaps with the exception of the Porto chairman, who seems to be a legend on those shores. The Hull City job was given to Silva for only half the season, or he had an option to leave, and it doesn't strike me as impulsive to want to jump ship after being relegated. Watford is a complete nutcase under those Italians, as I'm sure the vast majority of us have not failed to notice. As for Silva concentrating on 'clean sheets', well, his record at Watford belies that. On the contrary, the team became better known for giving away leads, as happened at Goodison Park, where they were leading 2-0 with some twenty-five minutes to go, and we all know what the final score was. That happens to be my main concern about Silva.
All in all, I'd much prefer Paulo Fonseca, or even Eddie Howe, but Silva would certainly seem like an improvement on the current regime.
133 Posted 17/05/2018 at 06:30:45
This affair could drag on into the new season, so, my answer would be to ignore Silva, let Watford go piss in the wind, and appoint Fonseca who comes without baggage and with a determination to prove himself in the Premier League. If he can do half as well with us as he has with unfashionable Shaktar, he will have done a good job to my way of thinking.
134 Posted 17/05/2018 at 11:06:43
We need a stable head, and I don't see that in Silva on any level.
135 Posted 17/05/2018 at 11:19:13
I hear compo up to £10M will be needed to avoid a deduction of points for 'tapping up' but what's that to a billionaire- particularly as it's the Club's money, anyway ?
136 Posted 17/05/2018 at 11:53:01
Is it just pure luck that Brands also wants Silva in charge then, or am I missing something?
138 Posted 02/06/2018 at 08:05:22
I always have felt that Everton's matches against Arsenal have been a good gauge of Everton's progress. Moyes always had problems with Arsenal; Martinez was exposed by them; so was Koeman. . . and Allardyce didn't bother turning up.
It's not that Arsenal where that good but their midfield and attacking play showed us up. We were never able to challenge their defence,
Defensively under Wenger, they where poor after George Graham's influence had worn off. Wenger was a bigger bullshiter than Martinez. That's why he got away with it for so long, You could see Alex Ferguson holding back a laugh, anytime he was interviewed before an Arsenal - Man United fixture.
Yes, they're a good gauge of Silva's ability.
ps: Just seen The same old Bobby Brown Shoes discussing the World Cup. Hope he does well. I can relax and listen to him now, without wanting to throw the TV out the window.
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1 Posted 12/05/2018 at 20:52:58
He needs to instill pride, and reawaken the excitement that died this season.