Silva announcement expected before the weekend

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's to the hope – as always.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Come on Marco, don't let me down!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A complete over-simplification of the situation at Hull.

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

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

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

"The time for arguing is over."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hi Ho, Silva away!!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Come on, you Blue Boys!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Come on lad, change it up!

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

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

Uncomfortable, yes... but necessary.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you in the know? Tell us more.

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

Nice one, lad!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Koeman was the opposite.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two conflicting statements Steve.

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

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

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

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

Less is more, imho.

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

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

I hope the roles and relationships are clearly defined.

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

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

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆.

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

Up the Toffees.

I see Martinez #2 coming up...

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

Hiho Silva and away.

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

Will Silva deliver that for us?

Hold the back page!!!

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

And if you know your history!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tony (#130),

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just look at Napoli right now. They are fed up of Chelsea stalking Sarri. So they acted quickly by firing Sarri and hiring Ancelotti. That doesn't mean Chelsea can just hire Sarri, they still have to pay a rumoured ٥.5m, even though you'd think Sarri would now be a free agent.

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

He needs a challenge!!

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

We can only hope that this time it works out.

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

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

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

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

Ahhhh, dreams!

Sorry if that post was too long.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get behind the man.

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

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

"Why aren't we going after Zidane?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best of luck Marco COYB