Moshiri hopes Ancelotti's experience can succeed where previous coaches have failed

Monday, 23 December, 2019 75comments  |  Jump to most recent

Farhad Moshiri has described the Everton project as the one of the most difficult jobs in football but he is hopeful that in Carlo Ancelotti, the club have hired a manager who can meet the demands.

The Blues' majority shareholder was speaking with Jim White of talkSPORT at Goodison Park after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Arsenal and he spoke of his gratitude to Duncan Ferguson for restoring the passion to Everton's game while also explaining how he felt Marco Silva struggled to cope with the pressure brought on by the supporters' expectations.

Moshiri sacked the Portuguese almost three weeks ago following a heavy defeat in the Merseyside derby that dropped the team into the relegation zone but he has moved in the interim to secure Ancelotti to a four-and-a-half-year deal with the hope that the Italian can put Everton back on the road towards achieving its aims.

With the appointment of Ronald Koeman in 2016, Moshiri felt he was hiring a man capable of fitting into the “Hollywood” of managers that he felt the northwest of England had become with Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in place across the Park and in Manchester.

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While Ancelotti certainly fits that bill more than Koeman, the Iranian-born billionaire distanced himself from that description in his chat with White.

“We've had managers from Wigan, Southampton and Watford and they've all had their impact but we've invested heavily in a group of players,” Moshiri said. “They're all internationals so we think they could benefit from someone of this pedigree.

“It has nothing to do with ‘Hollywood' really. You know, we've rediscovered Everton in the past two weeks. I've had my most enjoyable time with Duncan and we're really grateful to him. This is the club and I think we just need to keep this; that is the most valuable aspect of Everton, not ‘Hollywood'.

“This passion, celebrations of fans and the manager together. Carlo is a real football man and we hope with Duncan next to him we keep the passion, and we build on it.

“Everton is a very difficult job in football because you're two home losses from being disowned by fans. It's very hard and what we've noticed for younger managers is that it's difficult to cope. Because you have the bad runs but I think the fans don't give you any time and the strength of Goodison is the passion of the fans and once you lose that it's very difficult.

“I think Silva was a very talented coach and when the gods of football aren't kind to you, what can you do? You know, we lost six points through VAR, he loses 70% of his midfield but I think a good general is a lucky one, that's the thing.

“I think this is one of the most difficult clubs. We don't have the financial base but the fans' expectations are huge so I think this mismatch somehow needs to be resolved.

“So we've put a lot of money in to give the club a platform to match the fans' expectation and sometimes it's just too much for a young manager so we hope that an experienced manager can cope and deal with it better.”

 

Reader Comments (75)

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Lyndon Lloyd
1 Posted 23/12/2019 at 18:40:44
"Everton is a very difficult job in football because you're two home losses from being disowned by fans. We don't have the financial base but the fans' expectations are huge so I think this mismatch somehow needs to be resolved"

That's a pretty harsh assessment and a misreading to a degree of the fans by Moshiri that doesn't appreciate the context of the erosion of our faith in Silva, which began last season after the Anfield derby, was hastened by the defeats to Villa and Sheffield United this term and intensified in the weeks that followed by dreadful performances and results.

Evertonians just want to see forward progress, Farhad. We have big dreams and ambitions but our only expectations are that the players show the passion and fight that Duncan has just demanded of them and that the club appears to be going in the right direction.

The appointment of Ancelotti is certainly a step forward but it will only bring tangible results if we get the recruitment right which, to date, has been decidedly mixed, particularly pre-Brands.

Tony Abrahams
2 Posted 23/12/2019 at 18:56:30
I honestly think that your second to last paragraph, is something Moshiri, has only genuinely learned in the two weeks Lyndon.
Michael Barrett
3 Posted 23/12/2019 at 19:00:22
Lyndon I think we're in the last chance saloon with this appointment...half the media this he is mad coming to us...sad really
Chris Leyland
4 Posted 23/12/2019 at 19:09:31
Cheeky bastard. It isn’t just 2 home games losses away from being disowned at all. All the previous managers have been far, far too inconsistent and it isn’t losing two home games that lost them the fans and their jobs:

Martinez - inconsistent bullshitter who talked the talk but who managed two consecutive bottom half finishes whilst still talking as though we were a top team. His in game management was atrocious. Who can forget being 2-0 up at home to West Ham with 11 minutes left. Down to ten men and he brings on a striker. We lost 3-2. Deluded snake oil salesman.

Koeman - aloof, arrogant and absent. Just didn’t get the club and didn’t connect with the fans.

Allardyce - was just Allardyce

Silva - less of a bullshitter than Martinez but very much in the same mould. He has been dealt a bad hand this season with injuries and the failure to sign players in key positions but his inability to change tactics in-game was his undoing; as evidenced by his shameful record in games when the opposition scored first.

We are desperate for a manager to succeed and are desperate for one who gives us something to be proud of. We will get behind them if they give us something to get behind.

Michael Lynch
5 Posted 23/12/2019 at 19:15:26
I really don't like Moshiri. I like his money, but every time he speaks he sounds like a knobhead with no understanding of, or empathy with, the football fan.

My Christmas wish is for him and Boys Pen Bill to button it. Just sign the cheques Mosh, and just wave and smile Bill. Other than that, shut up.

Peter Thistle
6 Posted 23/12/2019 at 19:15:35
Wouldn't it be nice to not be miserable every other week by winning matches and climbing the table, hopefully staying in top 6 for a long time. It's just a dream these days unless Ancelotti is a miracle worker. Good luck to him, we need it.
Barry Rathbone
7 Posted 23/12/2019 at 19:24:38
When I was a kid I remember listening to old hands who would have been around during Dixie's exploits admitting we've always been a tough crowd. Presumably because our standards have been highest for the longest time only Villa and Arsenal compare in the successful and long serving stakes.

Weird thing is give us a real trier like the Straq or Niasse proving Koeman wrong and we love them to bits.

Jer Kiernan
8 Posted 23/12/2019 at 19:33:07
Obvious our expectations as fans ( which I have thought to be far too low) are in fact higher than that of Mosh ? Well if thats what he thinks then GOOD

As much as it sickens me to say this, in order to be a top club you need to throw money about like confetti, Minimum 150mil every window or you are not going to be dining at the top table. If you want Zaha you feckin GET Zaha not Iwobi, End of story

Sounds to me like a guy with egg on his face, As with Silva he demanded a turn at driving the proverbial trainset and he unceremonialsy smashed it into a brick wall, ,,,A lot of things will need to happen to make Carlo's reign succesful

Investment in TOP players is the main one

Mark Andersson
9 Posted 23/12/2019 at 19:52:44
Good points above I agree with Micheal 5

As fans we want the best players playing attractive football are expectations "standards" are high because our DNA is built on only th e best is good enough..

The egos of Mosh and Bill are embarssing when in the spotlight of the media...

Carlo has taken on a massive job all his experiance will now be put to the test...

Dunc has flamed the embers of hope into a fire, can Carlo keep the fire burning and into a inferno of passion and successes for both players and fans.

We demand because we deserve only the best..

The spot light is on Carlo now half the media is already against our new manager so it really is a must for the fans to back Carlo so we can all stick a finger up to them by becoming winners again

Stan Schofield
10 Posted 23/12/2019 at 20:08:54
Everything that Moshiri has said here is reasonable. A Club like Everton is defined by two things, it's history and its supporters. We're not a museum, but those two things, history and supporters, are Everton's signature. Moshiri must know that we as supporters have massive expectations, way above those of a midtable club. Many supporters, and you can see it clearly on ToffeeWeb, get very impatient and pissed off very quickly after a few poor performances and results, and that impatience increases rapidly if we don't see improvement.

He's tried mid-level and low-level managers, and it hasn't worked to get us beyond midtable. So now he's finally trying the best available. We've signed very good players under Brands, and need to see how Ancelotti can use them, organise them, to best effect, and then take things from there, identifying new signings as required.

Now, one thing that is not mentioned in this interview, is Everton's track record of letting our best players leave when they're in their prime, without adequate replacement, all the way from Ball in 1971 to Gana at the end of last season. He has to be aware that this tendency must stop in order to be a big club and stay at the top consistently, otherwise even a manager of Ancelotti's ability will be undermined.

John Pierce
11 Posted 23/12/2019 at 20:21:03
Farhad lad. Perhaps if you’d done your homework this should have been your first appointment?

The language used was misplaced but there’s a degree of truth about the sentiment. How? It’s only become that way because a rich billionaire took over and rightly the money spent should have translated to more.

The owner has been at the heart of three poor appointments. For a fella who should know the value of money it’s taken him some time to show it.

Andy Crooks
12 Posted 23/12/2019 at 20:23:43
Excellent, Chris @ 4. The supporters of our club have for many years shown patience beyond human endurance. With the chairman, board, CEO, managers, coaches and best of all players. Two home losses?
My God a plague of fucking locusts could descend at every home and the Blues would still turn out.
Carlo will get loyalty, support and patience. I believe his reputation will lead to the players being questioned long before the coach. The good players bad coach argument is dead, at last.
Steve Ferns
13 Posted 23/12/2019 at 20:29:12
John #11, yes because Farhad Moshiri really could have persuaded Carlo Ancelotti to turn down Real Madrid and come here. A Real Madrid who just sacked Mourinho and were desperate for Carlo Ancelotti to come in and deliver the "Decima", which he did, and for which they are eternally grateful for. He also groomed Zidane who replaced him and won a further 3 Champions League.
Winston Williamson
14 Posted 23/12/2019 at 20:43:21
I agree with some of what Moshiri has said. The crowd can turn quickly at Goodison, however, there are a few mitigating factors not mentioned here:

1. Of all the managers since Moshiri bought us, they’ve all had a common quality - stubbornness! If something wasn’t working, they didn’t change! No flexibility! Evertonians are not mugs! If we see something needs changing, and it doesn’t change, we’ll let the manager know!

2. How is any club to progress when we consistently sell our best players and replace them with inferior ones! As mentioned above, this is a constant trait at Everton! You want to bridge the divide, keep your best players and add more! No more of this, “stay till the seasons end and you can have your transfer” bullshit!

3. You hired Allardyce! He’s an older manager, and he’s a bag of wank! He had an opportunity (after Unsworth moved us away from the relegation places) to show the world he had the skills to play more expansive football. He didn’t. The fans let him know he’s a twat.

4. We’ve had years of Bill Kenwright blowing snot into his hanky regaling tales of yore! Now that’s fucking patience! What we don’t need is a richer guy doing his best impression of Bill! Be your own man Moshiri, bin the fucktards off pronto and most Evertonians will love you!!

Christine Foster
15 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:04:49
I can't help feeling those comments are jaundiced from Moshiri and is but a mouthpiece for someone else's bitter views of the supporters of this club.

Its not warranted. But I will go further. If we are two defeats from disillusionment then we have been conditioned by what has been said, promised and served up to us for 10 years or more.
We have never fallen short in the support of our club. The directors have. The managers have, the players have.
The treatment of supporters has been disgraceful, communication non existent and trust has been lost in the pursuit of truth. If we are damaged goods then look to see who has damaged us. Trust is a two way street and its plain to see from this comment that there is precious little held on both sides.

Give us something to believe in Moshiri, if Ancelloti's as good as his record shows then he does not need to be warned as to our expectations, he will know he has a job to do.

Sean Callaghan
16 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:19:03
Two home defeats to lose the fans? Two misplaced passes generally works for some on the forum's weekly venom-fest.
Niall McIlhone
17 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:26:44
What Christine said@15. Sums it up perfectly.
Drew O'Neall
18 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:32:58
‘Never fallen short in our support of the club’?

Have you been to Goodison Park for a lunchtime kick off? The atmosphere is regularly non-existent. Ferguson commented on the atmosphere not being the same as for Chelsea after the game.

It’s been the same for games against all but the top six and some other notable ‘big clubs’ under the last five managers.

Colin Glassar
19 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:41:38
If Moshiri wants a return on his investment he has to do two things in my humble opinion. 1- Retire Bill Kenwright. 2- Let Ancellotti manage all football related issues, with or without Brands.

It’s time for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to let the pros run the club and to stop sticking their noses in things they haven’t a clue about. Only then will we progress as a club.

Drew O'Neall
20 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:46:48
Moshiri has thrown (away) vast sums at Everton and, usually when you are the boss and it’s your own money you are haemorrhaging, you are entitled to show as much patience for your vision to realise as you see fit.

Plenty of us have given him dog’s abuse as thanks for his pains so why shouldn’t he aim a little back at us.

John Pierce
21 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:49:30
Steve stop being a blert! 😝 You know full well I refer to a proper appointment at the time Farhad took over on the level he’s just appointed too, not Ancelotti particularly, but someone of his calibre.

The fact he chose to appoint weak and mediocre managers has led to the rancor he talks about. The money he put in raised expectations and shortened patience. The situation he describes is partly of his own making.

Had he spent the money on the manager first up, he’d probably have gotten better results and the money spent on far better players. Many of the better players would have been open to come to us and we’d have had far more cash to make it happen.

Chris Mason
22 Posted 23/12/2019 at 21:50:58
All this outrage - Moshiri is right. As much as our football stinks and deserves criticism, we boo our team at the first bad half of football. If you’re Moshiri, you want to see both coach and fans play their part.

However, he’s telling everyone he knows that every appointment he makes has very little time before the keyboard warriors come back out to run him down. And many of the players too. Do we ever think about our entitled position and expectations based on a long ago history? Not often. We deserve better apparently - although most fans are very unwilling to accept their role in backing team when the chips are down.

I hope Ancelotti does well, but our expectations are too high based on our recent history.

Christine Foster
23 Posted 23/12/2019 at 22:17:49
Drew (20) Thrown away vast sums at Everton I agree completely.. but why has that happened? Not the fans fault who he bought..perhaps it was the advise and reassurances given by those in charge of buying by any chance? So why would it be ok to blame the supporters? You buy a wally then expect to get praise? Lay the blame where it is due.

Chris Mason (22) My first reaction was "Bull***t" my second was that the manager gets booed for selection of a team that doesn't deliver, the team gets booed for not even trying to deliver..

Keyboard warriors? Every single person who posts on this site has a view, and they are entitled to it. Doesn't mean to say its right, accurate or even warranted.. but thats part of the reason this site exists, if it didn't we would be sitting in a Tesco car park in Kirkby..

If you haven't got passion, don't get up in the morning.

Ron Marr
24 Posted 23/12/2019 at 22:27:12
Spot on John #21

Also, booing the manager after losing 2 games is not unique to Everton. It seems like West Ham fans are booing the manager every other week. I've heard booing from Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs fans this season. It happens in a lot of sports. The Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL booed Santa Claus

Chris Leyland
25 Posted 23/12/2019 at 22:30:08
Chris Mason - we do boo in some circumstances but we are no different from any other fans in that respect. But, we certainly do get behind the team when they give us something; effort. We can forgive lack of ability but we can’t forgive not trying and not giving a feck. I was at the Leicester cup game last week and as soon as the players started making an effort, the fans responded accordingly. We sell out every game despite the often absymal fayre on offer. A full-blooded challenge, closing down, even very occasionally a bit of sublime skill will do us.
Tony Everan
26 Posted 23/12/2019 at 22:32:53
“Everton is a very difficult job in football because you're two home losses from being disowned by fans''

Farhad, don't take knee-jerk disillusionment to heart so much.

The underlying sentiment is always that Evertonian's demand a high standard, and demand the board find a way to achieve it. If us fans start accepting mediocrity, the club's finished.

Michael Lynch
27 Posted 23/12/2019 at 22:36:12
Apologies to those who think otherwise, but I'm not going to doff my cap to some dickhead just because he's won the Russian Blood Money lottery and decides to buy a football club as a toy. Our club, like all football clubs, belongs to the fans; owners, managers, players, coaches - they're all free to leave whenever they find a better alternative, and good luck to them.
Jim Harrison
28 Posted 23/12/2019 at 22:51:51
I think you can take the two game quote with a pinch of salt! But it's not too far off point.

Maybe it's an over-statement, but it's fair enough to say that the club's form and fortunes are often traceable by the atmosphere and reaction at Goodison Park. When it's going well, the stadium rocks. It's well noted in the media and Silva was well aware the effect that the fans had on the team. Ferguson knew that better than anyone and targeted getting the supporters' passions up.

But it's fickle. It doesn't take much for the whole thing to turn around. The past 5 managers have been on the wrong end of a discontent Goodison. Only Moyes and to a lesser degree Silva last season managed to recover once the mood shifted.

It's not a criticism. People who pay their hard-earned wages and invest their time in turning up on a matchday deserve to be rewarded with a bare minimum of effort.

But it makes it a tough ask. I think he is right about Silva. The guy is a decent coach. Performances last season showed what his team could do, but when the going got fought this season he didn't have the answers and couldn't win back the home crowd.

Dunc was understood that his biggest weapon would be to create a bear pit atmosphere that would spur the team on. It's also why I think his time as manager wouldn't have stood the test of time, because it takes more than a bumping stadium to achieve success long-term.

Chris Mason
29 Posted 23/12/2019 at 23:00:31
Christine – I got to your expletive and stopped reading, sorry.

As for the idea that clubs are owned by the fans. Well, that ship didn't even sail – have we ever had ownership?

Enjoy the game, folks. Up the Blues.

Jimmy Digney
30 Posted 23/12/2019 at 23:41:15
I guess what I take from Moshiri's comments, are “We as Evertonians cannot and, will not stand by, clapping like seals just because he believes he has delivered his part of the bargain (his cash) and now hopefully a top rated manager."

Most of us say it as we see it, and let them know quickly. And incidentally, I believe that, without us taking this stance, we as a club would've well been in the Championship. So the two game loses from being disowned he states in general I believe is true, which, for me, is why we have stayed in the top flight for all these years. The fans have kept us there. Simple equation for me: the passion goes and the club goes.

Jerome Shields
31 Posted 24/12/2019 at 01:30:59
It's better Moshiri does not talk to Jim White and his yellow tie, he just makes a waz of himself.
Derek Thomas
32 Posted 24/12/2019 at 04:34:24
“So we've put a lot of money in to give the club a platform to match the fans' expectations" Right on a superficial level... which is what you get with Mr yellow tie... but actually not telling the whole story.

Moshiri has had to put 'more' money in because he didn't appoint wisely... (or luckily) and those appointees didn't spend wisely.

He's (hopefully) learning by some very expensive mistakes.

He won't exactly be dependent on food parcels this Christmas. His only real outlay was spending the money he got from his Arsenal shares.

Fair play to him, he finally / hopefully(?) got it right with Brands and Ancelotti.

I just hope somebody has shown Burnley a copy of the script for Boxing Day.

Steavey Buckley
33 Posted 24/12/2019 at 04:45:45
Ancelotti's first Everton training session:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4R_qnoFYDY.

But I did not notice Iwobi, Fabian Delph, Walcott or Schneiderlin training with the rest of Everton players. Must be rated doubtful for the game against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Steve Brown
34 Posted 24/12/2019 at 05:38:58
Winston @ 14, funniest post in a while on here! Particularly points 3 and 4 and your description of Allardyce is spot on!!
John P McFarlane
35 Posted 24/12/2019 at 06:08:45
Mr Moshiri must have been listening to those who seem to want to blame the fans for the failings of the players and the manager. As someone pointed to earlier, and quite rightly, the Leicester cup tie less than a week ago was typical of how Goodison reacts to the performance of the team. It was lacklustre for an hour by the players and the crowd were quiet; the players suddenly upped the tempo and started to become pro-active and, hey presto, the crowd became louder and more animated.

The fans at Goodison have been starved of anything much to shout about for 25 years, yet they remain hungry for an upturn in fortunes. They don't want caviar served on a silver-plater; they want good wholesome food, ie, a pan of scouse that will nourish and satisfy their appetite on a regular basis. What they have been served up is a small bowl of lukewarm gruel purchased by those who are easily duped but who honestly believed they were buying the best caviar in the world at prices to match.

The supporters don't buy the players, they don't manage or train the players, they merely spectate and show their appreciation, or lack of it, as the performances demand.

It's not the losing of two consecutive fixtures that is the barometer for the fans, it's the inability to get two consecutive victories that is the measure they use and how many times has that happened in the last few years? How many times has the club won two away games on the bounce?

I'm sure that Mr Moshiri believed he was making a salient observation; however, the fans didn't sack any of his managers, he could have stuck by each and every one of them if he so wished, it's his prerogative as the owner of the club.

Please Mr Moshiri, leave the football side of the club up to the football people that you employ and you take care of the finances. Had you done that from Day One, we would be a lot further ahead in your project. Also, please never, even accidentally, blame the supporters for the inability of the players to achieve results, as you readily admit they are an important aspect of the club and, without them on board, success will be harder to achieve.

I'm hoping this TalkSport interview isn't a re-hash of the Peter Johnson 'The money's out there on the pitch' scenario.


Amit Vithlani
36 Posted 24/12/2019 at 06:58:15
The key quote for me is this:

"I think this is one of the most difficult clubs. We don't have the financial base but the fans' expectations are huge so I think this mismatch somehow needs to be resolved."

This is, put plainly, piffle. We are, what, top 8 in turnover in the PL? When we finished 8th for consecutive seasons I don't recall a demand for UCL football. Many felt we deserved to be where we were.

The volume of discord has been turned up when we have clearly underperformed below where we should be.

I suggest Mr. Moshiri steps back & re-thinks his fan expectations at the club.

Great guy financially for the club, but increasingly obvious he is out of touch with the fan base.

Paul Tran
37 Posted 24/12/2019 at 07:36:41
He said a few facts, was very defensive and very self-justifying. And if you're desperate to be offended and outraged, he gave a few opportunities for that, too.

I like chairmen/owners better when they're quiet, don't you?

Terence Leong
38 Posted 24/12/2019 at 07:49:29
While some comments were probably not as accurate as they should be, just like you and I, Moshiri is entitled to his own opinion.
I think it odd that we expect ourselves as fans to have our voices heard, but the guy who has invested millions, is asked to keep quiet (by some posts here), I think that's abit rich...

As the majority owner, I think he's also entitled to interpret what he sees and feels; and what he sees and feels is the crowd at Goodison during match day.

Again, there is merit to ask the majority owner to leave the footballing decisions to the experts, but if we had spent plenty of money in certain things, who would begrudge us if we want to have a say or two?

Thus far, there is no sign that he is leveraging the club, in the way that the Glazers did to Man Utd. The way he's gone about financing the club seems, to the average fan, reasonable enough.

All things considered, I think Moshiri has been moderate enough, when you compare him to the other owners across the league (Newcastle, Aston Villa - Lerner, Cardiff under the Malaysian tycoon etc.)

Andrew Heffernan
39 Posted 24/12/2019 at 07:50:48
I don't think his comments are unreasonable overall - the two home losses comment is a soundbite.

I do sometimes wonder what influence Bill retains and honestly do not believe the club will truly evolve until he disappears from the club - changing a culture is not as easy as buying a player or changing manager.

Ultimately - he's made some poor appointments, and let's be honest, on 'advice' by those around him; but when things have gone wrong, he's dealt with them.

The alternative is continued stagnation, as neither Martinez, Koeman or Silva honestly 'got this club' like Moyes did in his early years. Let's 'hope' we finally have the right guy to carry us forward towards the next phase...

Merry Christmas to one and all.

ps. Christine, your tesco car park comment made me shudder. Brrr!

Chad Schofield
40 Posted 24/12/2019 at 08:35:58
Well I was grateful for the link on the initial Ancelotti piece.

To me the first set of 'analysis' seemed overly harsh on Moshiri. Here there's a lot more balance, but again loads of people have really lashed out at what I felt was a fair, if not self preserving statement.

His response was more measured than say, Kenwright's usual gushing froth.

I hope in hindsight he sees that Allardyce's appointment was a real low point, but then at the time had he made an appointment that paid off then we could have seen more and more public involvement from him... another tabloid trainset. He wanted Silva, and it's not worked out. I'm not glad it's not worked out, but I do hope Moshiri continues from a back seat rather than using the club as a platform for his musings.

Maybe he was becoming disillusioned, only for Ferguson getting the team to fight and Goodison to roar for him to sit up and remember/realise/revel what could be.

Let's not be too harsh on him - I'm sure we have all been disillusioned at points, during, and certainly before his arrival.

People will spin and contort Moshiri's words. Journalists already are making out Ancelotti is here to save us from relegation.

I know by writing on here I am being contradictory to the point I'm trying to make, but perhaps it's time to listen more to the quieter majority than the volatile reactionary boo boys (or girls) who all too often tell us the sky is falling in because of a misplaced pass, the inclusion of the latest whipping boy, we're not top of the league or something else that means the world's not fair.

Don't get me wrong, we shouldn't have to sit in silence gratefully happy-clapping whatever is being served up, but perhaps take a deep breath, look at the the 'bigger picture' of where we were, were we are and what's on the horizon. If we're successful we will have bought it, if we carry on stutrering we won't be any further forward... drive out Moshiri and well, we're left ringfenced with false promises.

Again, we don't have to bow down to Moshiri and his every word, but we equally don't have to dissect his words and turn them into conspiratorial nonsense... or give credence to those who make their living from doing just that.

Once you get there, if you don't mind writing a lengthy article on ToffeWeb on how to do so, that'd be great ;)

John Malone
41 Posted 24/12/2019 at 08:46:06
Farhad need’s to realise Goodison is as much a coliseum as it is a football stadium the crowd want to see our team fight as much as they do play if they don’t see that effort and desire on the pitch we are not satisfied.

For example Romelu Lukaku was the first striker we’ve had for year’s to score 20 goals plus but it wasn’t enough for some because he didn’t work hard and do the running.

I pray that Ancelotti and the board get it right and we build a successful team but the minimum requirement is steel to match the skill.

Sean Callaghan
42 Posted 24/12/2019 at 08:56:48
Well said Terence (38). The best post on the thread.
Tony Abrahams
43 Posted 24/12/2019 at 09:19:38
Agree Paul T, but I’m glad I’ve actually heard Moshiri speak, especially because he’s been here for nearly four years, and it sounds like he has only just realised what Evertonians are all about.

He’s the one who came in with “stars in his eyes” and Kenwright, being of the theatrical nature, he was surely never going to tell Moshiri the true nature of football in this city, especially because it’s possible that the man doesn’t truly understand? (Sorry)

Derek Thomas
44 Posted 24/12/2019 at 09:51:25
Tony @ 43; Spot on, Bill's day job is selling the theatrical sizzle, as opposed to the more prosaic 'bums on seats or you fold' theatrical sausage... getting backers to put money in, called 'angels' in the trade.
Peter Mills
45 Posted 24/12/2019 at 10:19:53
I’m hoping that Carlo will manage not only the players and staff but the people in the boardroom.
Paul Tran
46 Posted 24/12/2019 at 10:31:14
Yes, Peter, there is no point in this kind of managerial change unless there is a change of mentality throughout the club.

I'm concerned that those in the club blocking real change will think that now we have a 'world class' manager, they can carry on as before.

The mentality of the club must change from top to bottom and if Moshiri does anything, I'd like him to use this appointment as a catalyst for real change throughout the club.

Rob Dolby
47 Posted 24/12/2019 at 10:50:01
Football clubs aren't owned by the fans and never have been. Think there are only a couple of examples throughout the entire league with fan ownership.

Moshiri is the best thing to happen to this club since we appointed Joe Royle to be our manager. The club is his plaything until he gets fed up of it. Would anyone swap him back for Boys Pen Bill?

The moaning out of some on here is embarrassing.

He may well be riding on the back of Usmanov's billions and laundering money through the UK; if you can't beat them, join them.

If I had the same billions, I would have made the same mistake with Koeman. The guy was more interested in golf than managing a club.

Allardyce was always going to ride to the rescue as it's what he does. It's his personality that gets him the sack rather than his football.

Silva was unlucky and a bit too accepting of the hand he kept getting dealt. Losing Gueye and Zouma cost him his job. Mourinho has got the violins out for poor old Son again after him not being that type of player again. Silva never seemed to have that fight.

Onwards with the next chapter. It's all very well having a squad full of internationals. We have far too many icing on the cake types rather than the ones who work selflessly for others. The team lacks a spine. Ancelotti has to go out and buy a new spine for the team; otherwise, it will be the same old same old.

Sean Kelly
48 Posted 24/12/2019 at 12:14:36
Moshiri is a knobhead. We have been shit since the late 80s. Successive shit managerial appointments by incompetent boards.

Oh and we, the miserable fuckers of fans, get impatient after 2 home defeats? What a gobshite! Feels like this club is his plaything.

Brian Williams
49 Posted 24/12/2019 at 12:34:02
Sean. Your post certainly illustrates that somebody is a knobhead.
Isn't Moshiri though. 😉
Sean Callaghan
50 Posted 24/12/2019 at 12:46:25
Invest hundreds of millions in the squad + deliver (so far) on state of the art iconic waterfront stadium + appoint (eventually) world-class manager + ensure a degree of continuity by ensure much loved (by most) former player gets deserved promotion to the top table of the coaching team + slowly shuffle life long fan but passed his sell-by date chairman Bill into the background with a bit of dignity.

Yup, absolute gobshite, that Farhad.

Stan Schofield
51 Posted 24/12/2019 at 13:15:17
Sean @50: Good post, it's gobsmacking the way Moshiri is being criticised.

Sean @48: A knobhead? Get a grip, man!

John G Davies
52 Posted 24/12/2019 at 13:20:56
I have watched this club for over half a century. If I watched them for another half a century, I still would not be able to understand some of our fans' logic.

A man comes in and invests hundreds of millions into the club and people are giving him stick?

Tony Abrahams
53 Posted 24/12/2019 at 13:38:35
Chris @29, seriously? How long has this world got left, with this new direction a lot of people seem hell-bent on promoting? Not having a go at anyone by the way, because it's each to his or her own, but I just find some things and thoughts in this modern life quite frightening.

I heard a DJ the other day saying he was not prepared to play “the Fairytale of New York” because the lyrics don't represent Christmas, and instantly thought of food banks.

Derek Knox
54 Posted 24/12/2019 at 13:51:53
I think he could have worded it better, and he has unfairly in my opinion, laid past disappointments, of which there has been many, as the fault of the long-suffering and loyal fans.

Like it or not, it is not only Football, but entertainment too, and very much a results business. The fans will rightly show disapproval, if none of the criteria are being fulfilled.

I know it's early days, and a ball has not been kicked under the tutelage of Carlo yet, but I feel a genuine cause for optimism, and a feeling that at long last we have the right man to lead us to the Promised Land.

It won't obviously happen overnight, but a few extra quality additions could make a vast amount of difference, and there will be 'No Hiding Place' for anyone who thinks they are on the Gravy Train.

Derek Taylor
55 Posted 24/12/2019 at 14:11:26
I've only just read Moshiri's rant at the fans whose impatience led to his Damascus moment when Duncan took charge. Pity the big man's reward is to go back 'on the cones' but, at least we shall always be grateful to him. Magical moments.
Jimmy Hogan
56 Posted 24/12/2019 at 14:28:06
I've been a Blue since 1968. During that time, we've won silverware, but mostly we've been crap. We have made some disastrous managerial appointments over the years. Far more than shrewd appointments. Some managers have been plain awful. Others have been unlucky.

Is Ancelotti the “lucky general" Moshiri is looking for? I hope so. It was certainty lucky that he was unemployed when we were looking for a manager. As someone once said, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. I'm hoping Ancelotti is both. UTFT

Kevin Molloy
57 Posted 24/12/2019 at 14:35:44
This guy sets off so many alarm bells for me. It was him who sacked Martinez and Allardyce: no prompting from the fans, he did it. So he must be referring to the fans forcing his hand with Silva. But Christ on a bike, if we had stuck with him, we would be just about buried by now.

I can see how he now views the Duncan period though. "I bought these people racehorses, but they prefer blood and thunder." No, you didn't, Farhad; you bought a load of shit and are now having to chase your losses.

I can imagine Sigurdsson's agent whispering this sort of shit in his ear. He's also, at a conservative estimate, blown about £200M of the club's money in the last four years with a series of disastrous financial missteps. Be in no doubt, though: this chap will drop his 'Goodison experience' at the first opportunity and without a backward glance.

James Hughes
58 Posted 24/12/2019 at 15:24:25
Kevin #57, Moshri sacked the managers with no prompts from us. Are you on a wind-up mate.

You were either deaf or comatose for the end of Bobby brown shoes' tenure. As for the other one, well-read Winston at post 14 he puts it very elegantly & eloquently.

Kevin Molloy
59 Posted 24/12/2019 at 15:57:25
James, yes, fair point. I was countering though the narrative he is attempting to build up that he was forced into three sackings. No, he didn't need any help to get rid of Martinez or Allardyce, he was happy to pull the trigger.
Paul A Smith
60 Posted 24/12/2019 at 16:23:02
Tony, I heard that story about the fairytale of New York. It was about the word used that refers to homosexuality.

The DJ said he didn't feel comfortable playing it. World has gone mad. People are selling morals for a moment of fame.

Moshiri's biggest mistake has been his opening statements and they have continued until now.

He talked about Champions League after selling Stones and buying Ashley Williams.

Missed out on Sissoko with a blag bid so James McCarthy then became Everton family, as an excuse.

Had Koeman finger Barkley for every poor team performance so he could be sold for good money, that backfired.

Told us Lukaku had messages from witch Doctors, all to alienate us and push the sale.

You don't sell your best to the teams above you and buy from below to improve. That has never worked anywhere.

I picked up on all of this along the way and got nothing but negative reactions. Now we are not far off too late and it's an issue for everyone to gripe about.

Raymond Fox
61 Posted 24/12/2019 at 16:30:58
Chris #22, says it for me. We are too ready to round on managers and blame them for all our ills.

The flack that Martinez and Allardyce still get on here, is ridiculous. What I will agree on, is we should be dissatisfied and show it when players don't give their all.

As for Moshiri criticism, I think people shouldn't be so thin-skinned, after all he's had plenty over the time he's been here.

Stan Schofield
62 Posted 24/12/2019 at 16:39:05
Paul @60: You weren't the only one to pick up on all of that along the way, and now it's not an issue for EVERYONE to gripe about.

All that matters here is what happens on the pitch. Talking, by players, managers, owners, CEOs, etc. is largely irrelevant and shouldn't really cause the ire it is doing on this thread.

Paul A Smith
63 Posted 24/12/2019 at 16:46:06
I didn't think I was the only one, Stan, it's just funny seeing all the things I questioned now in the spotlight. And I didn't see too many asking the same questions along the way.

It's a bit late for that now, we have what we have and it's a big job for anyone. I'll support any manager and I am fully prepared for some messy results along the way.

Robert Tressell
64 Posted 24/12/2019 at 16:54:20
By the way, happy Christmas (or Hanukkah) everyone. Only started posting a couple of weeks ago after years of reading ToffeeWeb. It's good fun.

Plenty of reason to be optimistic. The stars are aligning. A quality manager, an owner with lots of dosh, a director of football who seems to know what he is on about... and Big Dunc. The squad is pretty good too as things go.

Here's to an exciting (hopefully) new era.

Andy Walker
65 Posted 24/12/2019 at 20:42:42
So Brands has told Moshiri he’s bought good players so it’s not his fault, it’s the coach’s. Ancellotti will see straight through it, but will Moshiri back his new coach or instead stand by the failure that is Brands?

If Moshiri and Brands think the problem lies with the coach and not the quality of squad we really are in trouble.

Moshiri doesn’t come across to me as knowledgeable about football or players. He’s got the cash and seems that he wants to call the shots. It’s his money to piss down the pan, along with our dreams.

Bobby Mallon
66 Posted 24/12/2019 at 20:46:11
Well, we wouldn't be "two loses away" fans if you hadn't allowed your other managers to waste money on shit players. How many of Koeman's signings are playing now. If us fans got what Dunc served up every week I think we would be pleased.

You can spend billions, Moshiri, but, if it's on dross and shite, then yes we will be unhappy fans. You have a cheek, when you have sold up and gone, we will be here, rain or shine, you numpty.

Tony Abrahams
67 Posted 24/12/2019 at 20:59:29
25 years without a trophy, and a man who has just brought Ancellotti to the club is pissing our dreams down the pan!
Brian Williams
68 Posted 24/12/2019 at 21:11:37
Tony, thereby hangs a tale mate. You don't become a billionaire without having something about you, whereas anyone can post on ToffeeWeb mate.


Or putting it a different way "Moshiri you have a cheek." Spending millions of your own money to buy the shares in the club, improve Finch Farm, allow the purchase of players, support the new stadium and countless other things. Well doing that doesn't give you a right to say anything, alright?

Tony Abrahams
69 Posted 24/12/2019 at 21:48:47
Or I’m getting too old to dream, but the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti is definitely an appointment of intent!
Jimmy Hogan
70 Posted 24/12/2019 at 22:00:29
Brian #68. Maybe he became a billionaire by being the talented, driven guy's right hand man.
Brian Cleveland
71 Posted 25/12/2019 at 12:03:26
Mr Moshiri, do you actually know what "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" means?

It's far far far above Nil Satis Nisi Mediocrity, which is where we have been for far too many years now...

If fans get impatient, it's because their Optimum expectations are not being met.

The bar was set high, it has to stay high.

Justin Doone
74 Posted 25/12/2019 at 23:15:36
To date the managers appointed since Moyes left have been wrong. The proof being in the pudding.

But I totally agree having to sell our best players does not help, but that situation is not uncommon. It effects most teams. As long as Mosh keeps on funding the club with his dosh his opinion does count.

I think the change to a more continental 2 tier approach of football director / recruiter and a separate coach / team manager does not help when a club has been unsettled without form, style, players or leadership.

It may work in the long term but is always likely to take several years for a partnership to gain trust and understanding.

In many ways this could be Ancelotti's hardest challenge. On the other he almost has a clean slate to imprint his identity and style on the team.

The next 12 months will be very interesting. Hopefully in a positive way.

Chris Mason
75 Posted 26/12/2019 at 05:14:29
Tony - it was more to do with anyone needing to swear in an argument - each to their own and I’m certainly no snowflake, but given the way of the world these days, a touch of civility even in some online banter, would be nice. Not denying Christine has a point btw
Christine Foster
76 Posted 26/12/2019 at 18:37:43
Chris Mason (75) My apologies if the aforementioned expletive (Bulls**t) actually caused you offense, that was not its intent, but merely to emphasis that I disagreed with your comments.. in fact I would hardly call it an expletive, more a descriptive example of saying something stupid ( as defined by the Longmans dictionary)
It was not a derogatory use of a common term to belittle but to fiercely disagree
Mike Dolan
77 Posted 27/12/2019 at 18:04:15
I’m never a big fan of changing managers in mid-season but I have to admit the changes made to the club have both lifted the self defeating pall that has been hanging over the club for a long time now.

We have had some really cruel luck with injuries and have not been able to play what would be the first choice midfield all season but I really get the sense that Ancellotti will prove savvy and flexible enough to get us results. We still have a decent squad and the young players have been very impressive.

I would not be surprised to see Gbamin playing in the back four when he returns with Holgate covering the back line. So happy with the club, it’s been bumpy but we are going to the right place. All the best to Evertonians everywhere. Ancellotti what a Christmas present.


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