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Pienaar becomes Everton's international ambassador

Tuesday, 3 April, 2018 51comments  |  Jump to most recent

Everton Football Club is delighted to announce that Steven Pienaar has become the Club's first official Everton International Ambassador.

South African Pienaar, who amassed more than 200 appearances for the Toffees, will be taking up an ambassadorial role that will see him focus on supporting commercial activities for the club and its Official Club Partners, as well as helping to continue to build the profile of Everton Football Club across the globe.

The skilful winger represented his country on more than 60 occasions - captaining them a handful of times - and was a key player in South Africa's World Cup squads in 2002 and 2010. Widely regarded as one of Africa's greatest players in the modern era, Pienaar's global appeal and recognition will help to further elevate the profile of Everton Football Club on the international stage.

Speaking about his new role as Everton International Ambassador, 36-year-old Pienaar said: “I have felt enormous affection for the club since the day I first signed and I am both honoured and delighted to become an official International Ambassador.

“Everton Football Club is very special to me and I look forward to further developing our unique bond in my new role and helping to spread the word of its fantastic work. This is a very proud day for me and I am delighted to be returning to a club that made me feel so welcome as a player.”

Alan McTavish, Head of Commercial at Everton Football Club, said: “Steven was one of the club's most exciting players across the last decade. He had a great relationship with the Everton fans but also entertained fans of the Premier League for many years. He is one of the most recognised African players with continental and international appeal and we are excited to start work in collaboration with both Steven and our commercial partners for the benefit of all concerned.

“This agreement sees us welcome one of the club's great players back into our Everton Family and we are all looking forward to working together to support the ongoing growth strategy of the club.”

 

Reader Comments (51)

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John Keating
1 Posted 03/04/2018 at 20:25:45
We missed a trick with Cahill and our American contingent. Anything or anyone that enhances the Club's profile at home or abroad should be welcomed.
Karl Masters
2 Posted 03/04/2018 at 20:26:50
Lots of good memories, but running his contract down so Spurs got him on the cheap, drink driving and some domestic disturbances warranting a Police visit (allegedly) make this a surprising choice. To me anyway.

Despite that, I hope he's a great success.

Stephen Brown
3 Posted 03/04/2018 at 20:29:02
There were a group of Colorado Rapids fans at the game on Saturday thanks to the Tim Howard connection! (They won't be back!!!)

The global brand thing is a necessary part of the modern game so it's a good move imo.

Tony Cawson
4 Posted 03/04/2018 at 20:54:32
Good luck, Steven, good player, and seems to have Everton at heart.

That said, I'm increasingly more uncomfortable with the ever growing old boys army.

I wonder more and more by the day regarding the 'Everton Family', and how much it's massively held us back professionally.

Never in our proud history have we needed a spring clean more than now.

I'm going to clean the car. Already blitzed the house today. Subconsciously wishing the same for our 'family' top to bottom.

Andrew Presly
5 Posted 03/04/2018 at 21:07:00
Some good news.
Chad Schofield
7 Posted 04/04/2018 at 02:00:31
Good stuff... perhaps shows we're not planning on throwing the baby out with massive tub of lard (okay, I know – it's another cheap shot).
Paul Doyle
9 Posted 04/04/2018 at 09:31:14
Another ex-player on the payroll, no doubt toeing the party line, how great the supporters are... Bill, being the best chairman in the universe, blah, blah.

Pienaar showed his true colours when he forced his Spurs move. He should've been left at Sunderland. We are too nice

Phil Walling
10 Posted 04/04/2018 at 09:53:21
Jobs for the boys – as ever! Decent enough player but hardly an ambassador of good behaviour, is he?
Alan McMillan
11 Posted 04/04/2018 at 10:19:35
Not a big enough name and not a strong enough connection to the club. Mediocre choice.
Steve Hogan
12 Posted 04/04/2018 at 11:05:06
This has the hand of 'teary Bill' written all over it, I'm afraid. I have to ask the question: 'Why'?

A good player on his day, but stunk the place out when he returned cap in hand from Spurs, the very club he engineered a move to by running down his contract first time around.

When is the club going to start acting with our best commercial interests at heart, and not offering jobs to every ex-player either down on his luck or looking for a 'soft' job?

Frank Crewe
13 Posted 04/04/2018 at 11:34:20
Does he have any business acumen? Has he ever run a successful business? Sounds like a front man for others who'll do all the real work.
Liam Reilly
14 Posted 04/04/2018 at 11:36:59
A good player and a great partnership with Baines, but running off to Tottenham soured it for me. If it'd worked out there, he wouldn't have come back.
Jamie Evans
15 Posted 04/04/2018 at 12:06:26
And the gravy train continues.

Mr Allardyce loves his gravy also.

Sorry.

Steve Ferns
16 Posted 04/04/2018 at 12:18:53
Wouldn't it have made more sense to appoint Li Tie? Sure, not a massive name in these parts, never mind the rest of Europe, but he could help us build up our brand in China.
Daniel A Johnson
17 Posted 04/04/2018 at 12:31:02
Where do we draw the line with our ex pros who milk a wage and do nothing? We will have Anders Limpar back for flat pack furniture tips next.

We need more ex-Everton players in the media – the way Liverpool have infiltrated the football media is insidious.

Nick Armitage
18 Posted 04/04/2018 at 12:51:21
Frank Crewe – "Does he have any business acumen? Has he ever run a successful business?"

You do realise that he was playing professional football until about 6 weeks ago.

The mind boggles.

Brian Murray
19 Posted 04/04/2018 at 13:03:08
Stinks of the tearful one making the call. Another ex-player with no experience given a job because we're such a caring club.
Drew O'Neall
20 Posted 04/04/2018 at 13:36:46
Anyone know how much he's paid? Could be nothing, or next to, before we all get on our high horses.

If I'm an African businessman I'm more likely to invite Stephen Pienaar to my dinner party than Robert Elstone or one of his cronies.

Some people will moan about anything.

Dan Parker
21 Posted 04/04/2018 at 13:39:40
Personally I think this is great news and a strong addition to the global brand.
Jerome Shields
22 Posted 04/04/2018 at 13:53:31
I agree that Everton have a lot of hangers-on around them. We really don't need to be reminded of pass glories. We need to see more positive management that can bring the Club forward.

Everton at the moment are so obviously not moving forward. We have become a home for hangers-on from the past, in the present squad and in the Management.

The fans are being taken for granted. Epitomised by Allardyce's attitude to the fans. Without the fans, Everton doesn't exist. Things need to change. . . or else, Everton will have less fans.

Brian Wilkinson
23 Posted 04/04/2018 at 13:58:09
Not for one moment am I suggesting an Embassedor but when the hell are our club going to offer some sort of role at Everton for Neville Southall, oh hang on he speaks his mind and not a yes man or says what the top men want him to say.

If ever a player deserved some role at Everton, it has to be one of the true legends of our football club.

Apologies for deflecting away from Piernar, but if the likes of snods, Sharp, Ferguson along with others can get a role, even Frannie Jeffers, but yet again Southall overlooked.

Paul Williams
24 Posted 04/04/2018 at 14:14:48
I wouldn't get too carried away with this. By 'international', it probably means a few appearances at events in South Africa where he's known.

We need the likes of Cahill and former American Secretary of Defence Tim Howard signed up. Much bigger markets for Everton to get established in.

Des Farren
25 Posted 04/04/2018 at 14:17:09
Yet another distraction which will comfort the gullible.
Mike Gaynes
26 Posted 04/04/2018 at 15:03:12
Brian (#23), do you have the slightest idea whether Southall even wants such a role? I'll bet you a hundred he doesn't have an ounce of interest.

Big Nev has committed his life to political and social activism on such issues as homelessness, mental health, racism and LGBT rights. He's become a prominent Twitter critic of the Tories and the management of the NHS. And he works with educationally disadvantaged children.

No way in hell he's going to take time away from his passionately held causes to work with the club. He's moved on a long way from footy.

He's moved on.

Daniel Lim
27 Posted 04/04/2018 at 15:58:27
Steve @16,

Li Tie is a good shout. He's well respected in China.

John Daley
28 Posted 04/04/2018 at 16:37:51
"Pienaar!? You're taking the piss. He hasn't got a clue. He's only been appointed to pose for pictures in an Everton trackie and tell anecdotes about Everton because he used to play for bloody Everton.

We should have recruited someone with previous experience of performing a high profile ambassadorial role. Someone like that United Nation's 'Special Ambassador of the International Year': Hello Kitty.

An animated cat faced kid, whose best guess at what 'Goodison' is would be "a respectful way of greeting Bill Oddie", would be an absolutely brilliant brand ambassador for the blues.

It's not rocket science: (1) Hello Kitty, (2) Whack Allardyce in a giant nappy and say his name is 'Big Sumo' and 'BOOM'... the club would probably become as popular in Japan as pixellated cock and balls"

Karen Mason
29 Posted 04/04/2018 at 17:57:23
Such negativity from some of you boys?

He is well liked and thought of as a great player in his home country, which, in the role he has been given, is more important that the petty gripes some fans seem to have. If he is well liked and respected as a good footballer and is preaching the bible according to EFC over there, why is that not a good thing?

In my humble opinion, I think that ex-players are the best people to represent our club nationwide and worldwide. (Not all, of course.) How much interest would somebody who is not even known as a footballer create promoting our brand? Unless, of course, it was perhaps Charlize Theron, or somebody equally as gorgeous!!! But, as she is busy doing the J'adore Advert, little Peanut will have to suffice.

Kenny Smith
30 Posted 04/04/2018 at 18:43:19
Great news but maybe we could learn from St Pauli and being anti-corporate (ie, the RS). Footy is nearly dead as we knew it and, in a funny way, we could cash in by bucking that trend globally. The old guard of Royle, Stuart, Sharpe and Snodin have done a great job, seriously but we need some new vets to carry on.
John G Davies
31 Posted 04/04/2018 at 18:49:04
Sankt Pauli is more a lifestyle than a football club.

If you ever get the chance to go to a game, take it.

Colin Glassar
32 Posted 04/04/2018 at 19:33:45
A real gent who will bring pride and honour to the club.
Joe McMahon
34 Posted 04/04/2018 at 19:36:04
Jerome Shields - you are correct, but add to this many fans wanted David Unsworth to be the next Everton Manager.

This small type of thinking is no different than Kenwright. Rooney coming back just about sums it all up. Jeffers, Ferguson et al, it's pathetic. I do like Steven Pienaar, but is he really the right person for this task/role?

Steve Pugh
35 Posted 04/04/2018 at 19:44:48
All those people asking if Peanut is the right man to promote Everton in South Africa. Who would you choose, remembering they need to be popular in South Africa, understand Everton Football Club well enough to field questions on the subject and be respected in the world of football?

I am intrigued.

Colin Glassar
36 Posted 04/04/2018 at 19:58:19
One of them has accused some Evertonians (on twitter) as being the real perpetrators, John. “I saw dem wid me own eyes lar like”.
Gavin Johnson
37 Posted 04/04/2018 at 20:35:28
Francis Jeffers, Steven Pienaar! Whoever next? Cadamarteri the woman beater?! Pienaar was a great player in his time but some of his off-field behaviour was very questionable. Not the type of person I'd align with an ambassadors role.

We seem to be employing a rogues gallery of ex-players. I'd add Big Dunc to that list but I'll let him off cos he is Everton at heart and my last Everton hero. Tim Cahill would be a much better choice for an ambassador's role once he retires.

Kevin Tully
38 Posted 04/04/2018 at 20:37:01
I could understand this if Pienaar had spent his career with us after joining the first time. But he wouldn't sign a new deal then left for a pittance to earn an extra £5k a week, then came back when he couldn't get a game for Spurs.

We really are a strange club. Not a moan, just stating facts.

Jack Convery
39 Posted 04/04/2018 at 20:38:12
I am concerned at the number of ex players getting jobs with the club. I worked at a company were there were a lot of people from families well in with the boss. Whenever I or a few others questioned how things were done – promotions, salaries etc we were told we were being negative and nothing ever improved.

Too many vested interests meant those who agreed with me or some of the others daren't support us. Left feeling very frustrated and I've heard things are still going downhill. Sad. EFC from the outside look to me to be going the same way – far too many yes-men & women.

John Hughes
40 Posted 04/04/2018 at 20:41:15
Yes Jack.
John Harrop
42 Posted 04/04/2018 at 20:48:24
Who cares who the club employs behind the scenes? I'm more concerned with what goes on directly with the team, and right now that looks simply awful. With Allardyce in charge, we look light-years behind our neighbours across the park, and it's become totally embarrassing.

We have to make a fresh start next season, with new faces in charge and on the pitch, or where finished.

Come on you Blues (and you light Blues)!

John Salmon
43 Posted 04/04/2018 at 20:51:29
OMG, another has-been. As for the commercial side, we need to stock Everton 2 with some decent merchandise; it's the same thing year after year, the amount of visitors coming into Liverpool and we do not even have a Toffee lady outside, list of our firsts in the window, example floodlights, nets, etc – gis us a job!
John G Davies
44 Posted 05/04/2018 at 06:57:05
Helpful advice from Merseyside Police. Just in case anyone looking to pelt the City coach didn't know where to be:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/merseyside-police-liverpool-bus-route-14491011

Jack Convery
45 Posted 05/04/2018 at 07:31:35
The return at the Etihad will be very tasty given last night's disgraceful antics. Especially given Pep's warning about the reception the RS are likely to get when they arrive. What betting the Manchester Police step aside and leave the City fans to it?

If EFC players do not get stuck into them on Saturday – and I mean in the Andy Gray, Peter Reid, Richard Gough, Thomas Gravesen kind of stuck in – I'll be very cross indeed! I expect us to lose because we always do but 100% effort must be put in by everyone – including you, Morgan!!!

Mal van Schaick
46 Posted 05/04/2018 at 11:32:14
This coming from a player that jumped ship for Spurs and came crawling back!

What next – injury lawyers ambassador?

Gerard McKean
47 Posted 05/04/2018 at 12:03:27
Purely on the question of "ambassador", I think it is a smart move for the club to create such roles across the globe. However, I do think that some equally smart thinking has to go into the type of person to fill such roles. Former players are fine if they can meet the criteria of being respected both in their home country/region and, really importantly, by the paying fans of Everton FC.

The majority of posts would suggest that Steven Pienaar does not meet the latter criterion, but how many of you think that the people who make such decisions actually know or care about that?

Based upon my own experiences as Chief Steward of watching player interaction (or lack of) with fans over autograph requests and so on, I would agree with some names mentioned above; Lie Tie (China), Thomas Gravesen (Scandinavia and Germany), Tim Cahill (Australia). Steven Pienaar was not in their league and nor was Tim Howard in my own limited view, and if I had to pick an ambassador for the important North America region then Landon Donovan, albeit in a short time, came across as articulate, friendly and always found time especially for younger fans

James Marshall
48 Posted 05/04/2018 at 13:31:57
Global brand? Everton? Steven who?

Tin pot Everton as always. I guess it's better than nothing but we really do support a mediocre middle-of-the-road (division) club.

Unless we sign big names and win football matches, we'll always be a half-baked joke, much as it pains me to say it.

James Marshall
49 Posted 05/04/2018 at 13:35:34
This is all a tie-in with SportPesa, I imagine. Kenya and South Africa etc.
David Currie
50 Posted 05/04/2018 at 18:57:43
He loves Everton so much but could not wait to jump ship and sign for Spurs. He failed there because he was not good enough. Then we take him back and he was average. We were mugs.
Don Alexander
51 Posted 05/04/2018 at 19:56:22
Well said David Currie. An adequate player for any mid-table team and that was Steven Pienaar, ambassador. Sigh.
David Connor
52 Posted 05/04/2018 at 20:26:31
Toughen up FFS, Everton. As good as he was for us in his first stint with us, the bastard shit all over us when he ran his contract down. Shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the club. Unreal our club. Talk about a soft touch. Will we ever change? ... I think not.
Pat Waine
53 Posted 06/04/2018 at 15:09:44
I don't understand why Everton are giving this guy a job. We took him from nowhere and, at the first opportunity he got, he ran off to Spurs.
Geoff Risebrow
54 Posted 06/04/2018 at 16:12:47
A very technically gifted player in my opinion who should have scored more goals but his finishing often let him down. One of my favourite Everton players to watch.

But I agree with others who say he couldn't wait to drop us when Spurs came calling. It did leave a bitter taste.

Jim Hardin
55 Posted 07/04/2018 at 20:04:29
Pat,

He came back though. So did Rooney (unfortunately, he hasn't the good sense to hang his boots up). Can we cross him off the ambassador list in the future too?

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