So Everton survives for another season in the Premier League. Bill Kenwright will count it as one of the good times in his trophy-less tenure as Club Chairman.
Yes, Goodison Park exploded with relief after the comeback victory against Crystal Palace ensured Everton’s place at the top table for another season.
Yet, under Kenwright, Everton supporters have had to be happy on scraps. This should not happen at Everton. Do you think “Blue Bill’s” theatrical backers would tolerate shows that performed as poorly as Everton?
Between Kenwright, Farhad Moishiri, and an ever-changing cast of managers, directors of football, and in all likelihood any number of “super agents” have bumbled through £600 million pounds of bad contracts given to the wrong player. It’s enough to make you think there was a conspiracy involved…..
Too many words have been written about the transfer business and contracts, etc., to write about it again here. Except for the incredible error in hiring Rafa Benitez as Everton manager. It has to rank close to Brexit as terrible recent decisions. I admit to trying to defend the indefensible and suggesting Benitez was given a chance. Surely, that rests squarely on Moshiri’s shoulders as did much of the discord and disenchantment among the supporters does.
The absolute chaos that has bought a proud club to its knees, must never happen again.
Everton have been first in so many things, including being accused of buying the league title in 1962-63 as Sir John Moores opened his wallet to give Harry Catterick want he wanted and needed.
Moores didn’t only open his wallet. He was forward in his thinking.
In his brilliant book about Everton in the 1960s, “Money Can’t Buy Us Love” Gavin Buckland writes about Moores wanting to bring Ferenc Puskas to Everton. But couldn’t because of wage limitations and all sorts of red tape. Puskas wasn’t at the height of his powers, but he was still a brilliant player. After all, he was one of the Mighty Magyars.
So in a season where everybody seemed against us. It took an outsider, a Londoner to reunite a fractured fan-base (sports writer cliche warning) and help Everton cling on, just barely….
Is Frank Lampard the manager to return Everton to the heights. Who knows, after all, people were screaming for the head of Howard Kendall during the start of his first term as Everton boss.
Lampard must be given the chance to prove he can be “Super Frankie Lampard.” The rebirth of Alex Iwobi’s Everton career has a lot to do with Lampard, what if he can continue to rejuvenate Dele Alli’s career. A midfielder who can hit double-figures in goals and assists in the same season would be a steal at £40 million.
Changes have already started with a new director of football in Kevin Thelwell,, who at 48 is close to Lampard in age and has written a book on coaching. As well as David Unsworth’s resignation and the splitting of his job as Under-23 head coach and Academy Director into separate jobs only makes sense.
It’s not going to be easy, but serious changes must be made at the board level and actual football people must be bought in. It’s time to dump the dilett
antes, who have played football director with disastrous results.
Lampard must be given a fair shot and some backing, otherwise, the spiral will start again.
Scenes like Thursday night should happen again only when the club adds to what was once one of the proudest trophy cases is opened for another cup.
Everton escaping relegation in the penultimate match - MUST NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
Did you like it? Did you. even if you didn’t you can tell me about it….
That was too close
I agree with everything you have said and have enjoyed your other succinct articles about our club. I look forward to reading more next season, hopefully about our progess in cup competitions and up the league. Enjoy the summer.