A Time for Patience

The next manager will be at a club that doesn't have any more possible excuses for failure. Moshiri and TV millions has hopefully put end to the "knife to a gunfight"mentality at long last. We will have a new stadium in three years time (the mayor said so). After years of scraping by mid table, with less than adequate funds, less than adequate players, in a historic, but less than perfect ground, there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

The pressure to succeed on the new man will be intense, so make sure the next manager, whoever he is, is the right manager. He'd better be up for it.

No more excuses!

Do you think there is any substance in the theory that the delay may be down to waiting for the champions league final to be played, and hence, a possible approach to Simione?

Or, as other think, the club want Overmars in place first, before offering the job to de Boer, to ensure their Ajax partnership is ongoing at our club.

Should be an interesting week, next week.

I like even more his patience... he did not rush to judgment on Roberto and he appears to be taking a personal and comprehensive approach to finding his replacement.

But what I like most of all about Moshiri is that he has made no public statements. He's not telling us a damned thing about his process -- all the rumors have come from elsewhere, but apparently not from anyone around ownership -- and I think that's great.

We'll all continue to speculate and read up on all the rumours, because that's what we do, and Moshiri will continue to be methodical and professional and absolutely silent in his process, because that's what he does. And I am impressed.

If I had to guess, I'd say the delay is mostly – maybe even entirely – down to us waiting on the outcome of Ronald Koeman's talks with Southampton. He's on his jollies at the moment but talks between the Saints brass and his new agent were described as "pleasant" and he's mulling their offer.

To be honest, it think he'll stay put and we'll have to look elsewhere but I'm glad we had a crack at trying to tempt him. And in the meantime, we have been interviewing other candidates.

Patience and Evertonians, go hand in hand. I've watched some absolute shite down the years, but only Walter Smith, ever made me question was it worth going the match.

The start of a new dawn, is something I've been waiting a long time for, and although football will always be about what happens on the pitch, I'm really excited about developments that seem to be taking place off the pitch at the minute.

Give us a stadium on the banks of the royal blue Mersey, and let's build our great club, back up to where it belongs.

THE REST WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF!

The timing of Roberto's sacking was late for me. I would have liked it before the semi, and certainly he should have gone after that game. I can only assume that it was Roberto's wish to stay after the semi and the club tried to accommodate him until it became almost inhumane. Again, the club kept it's silence and didn't enter into the rumour game.

Silence is a good thing sometimes. I don't want our dirty linen aired in public and obviously don't want to scupper any plans by going public too soon.

Of course the silence could mean that we're a table behind closed doors. Unable to decide, unable to act. It could mean that.

I would like to think a new man would be installed before Euro 16 as to view potential replacements. Afterwards we will be playing catch up.

I have posted before about how my main concern at the moment is that the Academy staff are not interfered with. They have been doing a great job overall. They will have an important job in the coming weeks preparing the likes of Davies, Connelly and Dowel for the transition to the senior squad. Leave them in place and leave them at it.

Feels like Xmas Eve at the moment all antipation and guesswork. I'm hoping and praying for the Subbuteo World Cup Edition but praying even harder to not get a bag of cinders !
(Oh hell ! I just realised the theatrical connotation there..... Bugger !).

He's come into a board that Kenwright has been running for 15 years or so and he's facing two massive decisions, that will involve a lot of money and very little room to ensure as best he can, he doesn't get those decisions wrong.

On one, the question of the ground, hundreds of millions of pounds are at stake and once the decision is taken, that's it.

The question of who to pick from those available to manage the club, is not as fundamental as the stadium. Certainly, it's an important, tremendously important decision, but one we can change if things aren't going as well as he wants.

I've just read a piece by Dave Prentice about the chances of David Unsworth being as capable a manager as those who are on regularly quoted as being on the short list.

It might well be that he is capable of taking over the job right now, with Joe Royle in the background adding his knowledge and experience. Who knows, though I'd be content to see Unsy take the job on if Mr Moshiri thought he could reach the targets set.

So, yes, it's a bit/lot frustrating, us not hearing anything from the club and seeing the Internationals just a couple of weeks away, but I'd rather Mr Moshiri went through a process of having his interview, maybe a series of interviews, with those he believes are competent to take our club forward.

I think we would be extremely fortunate to take an instant leap into the "Top Four" "Sky Darlings" group of clubs. I think we're more likely to have to make progress more slowly, but more solidly.

My view is, if he can keep Kenwright from the decision making, we've got a chance of getting the best available manager into the club.

The fact that we're hearing nothing from the club at present is fine by me. I remember too lividly (and vividly), the spoutings during the total fiasco of the Kings Dock disaster.

I remember when we tried to get Lukaku signed, and Martinez let it slip in the Far east that we would get him. We were in the dark, hoping for what seemed like an eternity.
This is a regular thing. We have no right to know the inner workings of a private business. Most of us aren't shareholders, and even those have little influence.

Until the fans have voice, a part ownership, it will continue this way.
We are all so used to the drip-drip of news/speculation in the 24-7 media that we get more frustrated than we used to.
Still, it keeps us occupied.

The club has to make a decision in June and you'd think it would be before the Euros start, so hopefully only another 2 weeks before we find out who the man is.

Fair point about it being 4th of June when Martinez was appointed, board meeting on 3rd June so maybe not too long to wait.

One thing Evertonians have in abundance is patience.
We wait patiently for decades for even a sniff of a trophy.
We wait for news of either updating GP or moving to a new ground.
We wait until the eleventh hour of the last day of the transfer windows every year.
We wait wondering why we haven't sacked/appointed a new manager.
We wait with bated breath hoping the uber rich clubs don't come with a massive bid for our best players.
We wait expectedly to catch a glimpse of our third most expensive signing.
We wait as our own players disrespect our club.
Maybe we should have tried to get Red Rafa. He is a FS Waiter after all.

EFC has always been a groundbreaking club ie first to use floodlights, first to use numbered shirts, first to use subs etc.... Could we now be the first club to start the season without a manager and be successful?

When BK was looking for a new manager there was a palpable air of 'you don't know what you're doing...'

This time it feels more like Moshiri knows exactly what he's doing and we're waiting for the right moment to strike.

I'm going to allow myself to dream that on Bank Holiday Monday (money doesn't sleep) Usmanov is announced as new majority shareholder (51.1% to Moshiri's 49.9%) and Simeone is unveiled as Manager with a £300m war chest....

Matron!

"If the whisperings that are filtering out of the club are true, Mr Moshiri has his sights set high and his ambitions are very much in line with those of the fans."

Sources? If true - delighted, Everton have been crying out for this for years, bring it on!

Mike:

"I really like Moshiri's decisiveness. The move to pull the plug on Roberto was properly timed and appropriately done."

Strongly diasgree. If he'd done it earlier we may have an FA Cup and a place in Europe now. The club bottled sacking him earlier, being 'nice little Everton'.

Can we please stop the Simeone nonsense, deluded rubbish.

As for Blues being impatient, I definitely have been. I think because we have experienced such a bad two years we feel the need to feel more settled (and that needs a new anouncement and with that comes plans, signings - exciting) and this is psychologically more comfortable.

I hope we make an anouncement soon as the new manager needs to get to know his surroundings, staff, players, make plans, signings, etc., etc. If we leave it too late it could have a detrimintal effect.

I want Emery (though I doubt he'd come as it'd be a step down), but think it will be FDB

I don't know if winning or losing the CL final would hasten a jump ship to the Prem for the guy but its where the best managers in the world are next season.

Quite right we need to show patience and I'm happy to so.

However I have one horrendous thought which keeps me from sleeping at night. There's a compromise where Moshiri gets to shake up the structure and we get Overmars as our Director of Foitball and Kenwright gets his part of the deal with the return of Moyes as coach.

If you are given another chance to have an article featured in the Echo please emphasise that we don't want Moyes back. Would a poll purely on Moyes' return help out case.

I think I'd probably eat my season ticket if he returned!

While I agree with you wholeheartedly about getting it right this time, I also feel that dithering, may let the best there is to choose from, slip away.

By dithering, I mean this, the Board, didn't just say 17 days ago, we will have to sack Roberto, they must have, presumably, had it in their thoughts, that we must start looking seriously for a replacement, without alerting too much attention.

I wonder myself, if FDB's leaving and Pellegrini's imminent departure, were in their plans, should they not get Number 1 Target, ie. Koeman.

If you look at the statistics, Koeman is behind FDB, and for that matter probably Pellegrini too.

Personally would like the combination of FDB and Overmars or Pellegrini as Director of Football, as oth know the Premier League and how it operates, although am not sure whether Pellegrini, would see it as a step down.

Whatever happens though, I hope it is concluded next week, the suspense is killing, plus we want the new boss in place before the window opens and pre-season starts.

Not too much to ask for there!

COYB

Be patient, it will happen is your advice - which I fully understand and you are probably correct in your assumption.

However, for me patience is one of the many virtues I do not possess!

Koeman over De Boer - is it worth the wait and the possibility of losing both? Is Pelligrini really being assessed? There is nobody else out there unless one's nightmares come true (ie Moyes; Hughes; Howe; some chap from Portugal; maybe even Accrington Stanley's manager). As I said above patience is not one of the virtues I possess and as the list dwindles so does my sunny disposition!

Everyone try to relax and find something else to focus on.

I keep having the same dream must be infectious, the thought of Everton announcing that Simeone as our next manager would be breathtaking to say the least. But then I keep thinking this is Everton things like that don't happen to us.

Regarding the second part of your dream about Usmanov, well I just wonder if he will join Moshiri. I see Kronke has increased his share in Arsenal so maybe Usmanov might decide he will never get control of Arsenal and join us.

I'm a little intrigued by your comment about not being in Simeone's league.

I think that would have been indisputable up until recently, but if Mr Moshiri is prepared to pay the new manager the sort of money other top clubs pay, surely we need to consider ourselves in that league.

I know there are other incentives, but I think Man City, Chelsea and PSG have proved that money is still the number one driver

As I said........ just a thought!!!!!!

As for Simeone, who wouldn't want him? I think he might do a Mourinho (Porto) tonight, chuck his winners medal (Vamos Atletico) and decide he wants a new challenge - with us!!! I can but dream.

Nah, I'll be quite happy with Pellegrini or FDB.

That may well smack of a nod in the direction of the wishes of BK to return to Moyes but also leaves open the appointment of a manager should thing go wrong early doors.

Personally, I think it could work but, as I said, it's a solution unlikely to be received with great enthusiasm by the fanbase!

I was at the Norwich game and was very impressed with David Unsworth. He showed more passion in that game than I've seen all season.

My view:

Don't get on the big money manager merry-go-round. Step back and take the long term view. Appoint people who care about our great club.

Get rid of ANY player who does not want to be at EFC. Especially Lukaku who in my opinion is not as good as he thinks he is – the semi-final proved that beyond doubt for me!

Invest in the youth talent we obviously have and build something. Your big name managers won't be interested and I'm not convinced about any of the big names being bandied about.

The new manager will have to be a compromise because we are not in a position to attract them at the moment.

I think we could do a lot worse than looking closer to home at people who love this great club and are not just on the premier league gravy train.

NSNO

It's hard too keep a lid on the excitement and expectation, but patience is needed, frustrating as that is. I've no problem with the wait as long as the right man gets the job.

Mr. Moshiri and board members should have their No.1 target identified by now. The fact that no out of contract manager I.e Pellegrini, De Boer etc have been announced by now says to me that their not top of the list.

For whatever reasons the board are waiting for something or someone who is top of the list, I'm guessing. Who that may be nobody knows but them.

I will say this however, if they are going to take a long time on this then they need to give the fans somebody of standing, a winner who is going to change the mind set of the whole club.

Keeping the above in mind, with other clubs in the area handing out their jobs to Klopp, Mourinho and Guardiola is Moshiri going to appoint a Howe or Unsworth?

Other clubs in the area have laid down the gauntlet with their managers and Moshiri I believe needs to rise to the challenge otherwise the billionaire is going to look foolhardy in comparison.

To be taken seriously again by other clubs and the media Everton need a big name to turn things around or we could end up a laughing stock AGAIN. Any of De Boer, Pellegrini, Emery will do me. Twist my arm though an I'd consider Simeone!

I agree. He seems decent and he has PL experience...put are Saints really ripping up trees?

Pellegrini, I'm not so sure on. It must be difficult to go from a team like City to a team like Everton. Does he still have the drive at his age? Plus I've heard the Coty fans saying that defensively he isn't up to much.

Frank the tank is fine with me. I haven't watched Ajax since about 1997 but he seems to have the right attributes.

We are not an attractive club at the moment. We have significant issues in the current squad re old-age and want-aways, we have a decrepit stadium, and whilst Mr Moshiri's wealth is more than welcome it's only on a par with the wealth of several other Premier clubs who are, like us, not Sky darlings.

That said, we need a good manager even as an interim measure.

Once we are back on the map with a shiny new stadium, and as an established European club, then we will go after that elite manager, be it Simeone, Ancellotti or someone of that ilk.

Talk of waterfront stadiums and conspiracies about Usmanov being a backer might just materialise. I really think the sky's the limit if Moshiri can sell the club to a top manager like Koeman.

Is it that he waits for Koeman to be free from his contract with Southampton? Who knows? Alternative to Gus as caretaker has been mentioned as Unsee with Joe overseeing?? FM appears to be a cool dude, not giving the game away easily? If he's made up his mind who it is he wants? He might just be taking the long term view and be prepared to put in place a caretaker while he completes the deal??????????

What we are doing now is what all good businessmen do- don't breathe a word until there is something positive to say.

The press and bookies clearly have no idea who we are talking to and the press are just spreading rumours based no doubt on feeds from agents ( or Ronald de Boer)!

Why would anyone rule out Simeone- throw him a fat salary and full transfer war chest with the promise of a new stadium and why wouldn't he be tempted with three of the worlds top managers within 40 miles?

Personally I am watt of this notion of attracting big name players. We have a great crop of young players and need to follow SAFs mantra at MU- a few established players down the spine of the team to guide the youngsters through and Unsy backed by Joe and an experienced director of football appeals to me.

Just a word for those people rubbishing Duncan- he could hardly stand on the touch line bellowing orders at the players if Roberto was instructing him to sit still could he? I have no knowledge one way or another as to whether he is a brilliant coach and motivator or just along for the ride but some posters do love to slag off our players and staff without having the first idea of what the facts might be.

It is inevitable some will insist on being kept in the loop by the club in this age of 24-7 news, whilst throwing a stomping fit that an appointment hasn't been made yet.

I have no such qualms with the silence or lack of early appointment if it reflects that a thorough due diligence and totally professional selection and interview process is being applied to ensure a good fit.

I also share your (possibly irrational hopes) that Farhad Moshiri is the real deal who is going to help transform the club.

That said, unlike you, any whispers or claims of 'insider knowledge' said to emanate from the club I take with a huge pinch of salt, and then some.

Other than his statement at the quarter final against Chelsea and his post match comments about joining a great club, we have heard and know absolutely nothing about the vision and ambitions Moshiri has for EFC and how he intends to achieve them.

Until the new manager and his support staff are appointed; until we know who is retained and released from the squad; until transfer targets are identified and recruited; until a concrete proposal on the stadium issue emanates from the club, rather than third parties...

Until any or all of the above happens, all comment about what kind of owner Farhad Moshiri will prove to be is based on fairy dust and is highly speculative.

I for one will reserve judgement until such time as we have concrete evidence by which to evaluate FM.

Martinez was sacked because two semi-finals this season, after gaining our highest Premier League points tally and Europa League qualification, followed by a half-decent run in it the following season, is no longer deemed good enough at Everton. BK would have been satisfied and we would have been relegated next season.

I trust our new man at the helm to get this right. Mr Moshiri has already interviewed Pellegrini, whose CV is excellent, one of the best out there, arguably, yet he hasn't snapped this winner up?

I believe he is trying to get the elite, and if Pellegrini is a fall-back option then we really do mean business .

Another 'small time' appointment will confirm us as, at best, a stepping stone club for top players, whereas we need to think and act big in order to be a 'destination' club. I personally like the idea of the Overmars- Frank de Boer axis, but a medium term appointment like a Hiddink or Pellegrini might be the right small step at the right time.

Either way, I think long term plans are being made at the club, presumably by Mr Moshiri, and that what happens this summer will shape the course of the next five years and presumably the longer term future of Everton Football Club. With that in mind, getting it right is absolutely worth waiting for.

"Brian, Brian, wake up, wake uuuuuup"........................

I hope Moshi is in charge but we have no proof and this is Everton where BK is still chairman.

Therefore it is perfectly understandable why we Evertonians are very nervous and struggling to show patience.
I just don't trust them with Billy Liar as chairman.

Despite Farhad Moshiri being 49.9% shareholder, Dame Edith Kenwright is still Chairman.

I know there are some on here who are convinced Usmanov will come in. A couple of days ago Kroenke increased his shareholding at Arsenal further.

I know that my previous post implies that more change is needed, true. But, the right changes, at the right levels, not a complete dumping.

Instance, when I read the article (possibly in "The Guardian", but can't be sure) about Rhino and what he had done to broaden and deepen his knowledge, understanding and experience. He'd taken himself off hither and yon, at his own behest to learn and expand his skillset. THAT, is true hunger and ambition !

Is Rhino ready ?
I have no bloody idea.
I do think that Giggs at Man U is total flyaway by comparison.
Would I like Rhino as Everton manager ?
If he fills the trophy cabinet then too bloody right !

From the first time that I saw his unstoppable force to the the time he bought me n me mate a pint in Flannagan's shortly before we let him go, Rhino has been sheer fucking undiluted determination.

However, there ARE others with extremely compelling CV's.

I don't know how that transition might happen, but what I'm crystal certain about, bringing in a world reknown leader is NOT a prospect which would in any shape of form disappoint, daunt or concern David Unsworth. Quite the reverse.

The greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity this guy WANTS challenges !

Some fans have such a low opinion of this club it baffles me
Double his salary
Money to spend instead of flogging his stars
A squad packed with promising young players
A chance to pit his wits against the mangerial elite

What could we offer Emery indeed.

Their open letter to the Arsenal board was/is a fans heartfelt mission statement. IF that is one of the background issues at GP, then the managerial appointment can bloody well wait ! And wait !

When we're ready ?
Or,
When we're tooled up ?

Agreed. I've used Benetiz as a counter-argument to those who tell us to forget the likes of Simone and Emery as potential managers.

Rafa started the season as Real Madrid manager and was recruited to a club deep in the relegation zone, unable to buy a win, outside the transfer window, in total disaray, with just 10 games to save them.

As bad as things have been at Everton this past couple of seasons, no way are we as deep in the brown stuff as Newcastle.

The club has a wealthy new custodian, the PL is awash with money, we have some very talented players on our books, an academy possibly about to deliver a very rich harvest of talent and the financial clout to buy big if necessary.

Money talks in this game. And how the club is sold and presented could tempt the very best of managers some nay-sayers ridicule as being beyond us.

What I can't understand are the reports that we have not yet spoken to Frank De Boer. Surely as he has openly said he is interested, we should at least be talking to him in the event that we don't get our No.1 target if that is Koeman, Peligrini or dream target Simeone.

Not the best way to start our relationship with him if in a couple of weeks we come calling and by that time he could well be chatting to someone else.

When and by whom was Robertos fate decided? it's all guesses.

Moshiri.."should we sack Roberto?".....Kenwright..."but I like him!"....Woods "sack the f##kin bastard or im tw##tin him!!".

We just don't know. I'm with Lyndon, let's wait and see but as an Everton season ticket holder of 40+ years....I ain't convinced everything is going to come up as roses!

The major problem the new man may have, is, as Martinez came in he had a strong squad to start off with that just needed some players to refresh it, to were he thought it was needed.

Any new manager coming in has got a squad that has struggled for the last 2 seasons,has disgruntled players, what appears to be a poor fitness staff and players past their prime . Who ever comes in, although he will have funds to spend, will have to practically rebuild the side to play to the style of play he wants ,and to be getting results to show his rebuilding is going to be successful in the future.

As the saying goes. " Rome was not built in a day.: Even if we hope for instant success we may find any new man coming in, regardless of his background, may find his first season difficult to start off with, but I hope he at least shows his style of management is going to prove to be successful in the future.

We are now at a critical stage in building Everton F.C. back to were we all believe it should be, and to get there we have to have 2 individuals prove they are the people to do it . The first is Mr Moshiri with the financial background , has to prove he has the ambition to go with it. The second is the incoming manager who has the harder job ,has to build looking toward the future and prove his ambitions are as strong as Mr Moshiri.

But whoever gets appointed , I'm sure match going Evertonians will give them a great welcome and every support.

Bill - 67 Spot on. The form in the second half of last season was that of a relegation outfit. The first task of the new manager is to reestablish the team in the top half of the table. That will require a major overhaul of the squad as well as rebuilding belief, reintroducing a winning mentality at Goodison Park and embedding balanced attacking and defensive play from front to back. That is a huge agenda for one summer and while it is highly unlikely that everything will be in place before the start of the new season the club needs to demonstrate it has started to move in the right direction.

So this summer is not just about recruiting the right manager. Moshiri has the opportunity to lay the foundations for the longer term by getting the right team of coaching and scouting staff in place to deliver what we all hope and wish for. That must include a strategy for facilitating the progress of Academy and Development Squad players through to first team level. He must also review the governance arrangements for the approval of transfers. The Niasse signing was a huge wake up call for a club which until very recently had prided itself on not frittering money away on the big money bench warmers seen at many other clubs in the Premier League.

We'll get Mancini.

It will all be worked out over a bowl of Dolmio after tonight's game at the Giuseppe Meazza...

As for sackings..lets GUESS..there was a board meeting and the big dog said "I want rid...who agrees?".

Btw, with 49% shares, he owns Everton... he calls the shots.

It's currently the week before Christmas and the anticipation is building. Problem is, I want a sneak peek at the presents. Just a clue.

Only seems like a few months ago he was not well enough to attend matches,he's like a dog with a bone since the cash started flowing.

Oh joy the Trap

They're not tight-lipped. They're just not doing anything.

Moshiri is just a another face to keep the great unwashed off Bill's case. In return he gets to invest some excess funds from the sales of Arsenal shares and write off some tax. His 49.9% ownership ensures he's not obliged to make any decisions or take overall responsibility for anything.

Moyes will get the job in a few weeks time and will get all the funds from the sales of Rom and Stones. But no more.

The dock based stadium talk will blow cold until next year's season ticket sales slump.

Please tell me I'm wrong. Please.

1. Bill is an idiot and makes shite decisions.

2. Moshiri is great and make fantastic decisons.

3. Billy boy brought Moshiri in...err good decision??

4. Moshiri decided to keep Bill in place....good decision??

do you agree they contradict? as for Moshiris decision to keep him there...I would agree with you. Hes playing the "don't rock the boat" card....I guess. Whether the majority "hate" Mr Kenwright is arguable..TW is a small % of fans...the Prem League report has fan satisfaction for the way Everton is run at over 85%... go figure mate. :))

Yes. "Out of left field," Ian Wilson. True blue, star of the 89 cup final, successful pundit in the Aberdeen press, runs his own football academy both in Scotland and overseas a la Glenn Hoddle.

repeat several times in a slightly camp way!

Wonder what kind of effect that would have if true? We waited for Unai, but he went to Real Madrid, soooo now we're ready to hire FDB or Pellegrini, etc.

Get him on the list Farhad.

When the in-laws are laughing at my untimely and tragic demise and are just about to celebrate, 5 minutes with you should have the bastards suicidal.

The awful thing is that – despite all my dreams over the past 2 weeks – I have a horrible feeling you could just have it right.

We need mentality, fitness and set pieces. Within three training sessions they should be twice as good as they were at the end of last season, no new players required.

We need two or three quality additions, some deadwood to be cut away and to hold on to or replace Stones and Lukaku. That's not nearly as big a deal as some doom and gloom posters seem to want to make out.

"If he'd done it earlier we may have an FA Cup and a place in Europe now."

Really?

That's sheer speculation, and pretty wild speculation if you ask me. Who the hell sacks the manager before a Cup semifinal? Maybe one of the historians on this board can tell me if it has EVER happened. Who would be nuts enough to give an untried manager his debut at Wembley? Be serious.

Personally, I thought Roberto did a pretty good job in that game -- right lineup, good plan, good effort by everybody. If Unsworth's audition in one meaningless game against a relegated side convinces you that he'd have done better at Wembley.... well, you're entitled to your opinion.

My wife was an Evertonian when I met her 46 years – brought up in an all red house.

She announced to me the other day that if we bring Moyes or Rooney back she will be finished with the blues.

She said she hopes that Everton appoint someone who "loves Everton – someone who has played for us".

She reckons Lukaku is lazy and we should get rid of him.

She doesn't mince words my wife. Back to the rest of the posts.

Watch Mourinho, Guardiola etc, what do they do when they go to a new top club, spend a fortune on better players that's what they do. Not daft are they! Managers can't do it without the players, I don't care how good he is.

I'm afraid its going to be the same old story next season, we'll start with players the 'big' clubs don't want, trying to do well with rejects, cast offs and past it players.

I'd like to be optimistic, but!

I agree that the next ten days are key; leave it any later and the new man's targets may be committed elsewhere. I get the impression this is all being handled a bit more professionally now under the changing regime. It would be nice to feel confident (unlike last season) of winning games we should win rather than wondering what on earth is going to be doled out in any given game. Apart from the Chelsea win, the last five months have been complete crap.

That spectacle alone would be worth the entrance fee.

Could it be that this is what the silence has been all about...

Ambition, statement, dreaming...

By the end of the season they were unfit, disorganised and demotivated, completely (rightly) disillusioned with a stubborn, amateurish management team who wouldn't accept the importance of some key areas of the game.

Meanwhile, Leicester City won the league captained by Championship stalwart Wes Morgan, with a team containing Man United cast-offs Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson, Chelsea cast-off Robert Huth, a non-league player in Jamie Vardy and some highly obscure foreign players no-one had really heard of. I don't think Ranieri signed any of them.

So yes, frankly I think if I were put in charge we'd have a decent chance of getting much, much better, so if we appoint the right high-level coach who can inspire and motivate the players, and instil that belief and winning mentality, then we have an awful lot of good raw material to work with.

I emigrated to Oz in 1965 and returned last year to commemorate the 50th anniversary with two of my Evertonian sons. We were fortunate enough to be at the Burnley and Man Utd matches in April and loved every minute of the two wins. Unfortunately the stadium looked locked in time.

I'm 76 now. I would love to celebrate my 80th birthday at the new stadium on the Mersey with a world class manager and revitalised team to match. Please be bold in your vision for our future and make an old man happy.

He' s going to Aston Villa.

I would love to hear more of your early memories watching Everton from 1950 to 1965. Those players, the era, going to the match, the humour, the derby games, traveling to away games, the football played, your favourite player in those days.

My first game was in 1965 and I went to every game home and away in the seventies before coming down under in 1981.

I was lucky enough to see the great team of the late 60s – Ball, Kendall, Harvey et al. I suffered thru the seventies with a team that tried hard but never delivered. The mob across the park were always that more professional in everything they did.

Didn't see a lot of them during the eighties and nineties, although I got to the 1984 FA Cup Final.

Peter B... look at the sunny day and shake the Moyes out of your head. Not happening mate... and you know it!

The only equivalent of being told that Santa doesn't exist would be if we reappointed Moyes, with Phil Neville as his assistant!

You clearly have no understanding of business if you think that is why he bought under 50%.

As for the stadium...not sure the club have said anything about building on the docks? I think that rumour belongs to the steward on the second exit of the lower bullens.

"Do I have to continue with Atletico or is it the end of a cycle? I have to think about that," Simeone told reporters.
Maybe there was a reason for the wait.
The thread said something about the best managers all being in the North West. So Mourhino, Guardiola, Klopp and .........

It was all said with tongue firmly in cheek. But thanks for the feedback anyway... And by the way I run three businesses.

I thought that appointing Simeone would be well out of reach but I am now starting to be more optimistic in thinking that it may happen.

If Simeone wants to compete with the best, he needs to look no further than the NW of England.

Guardiola, Mourinho. Klopp and Simeone could all be managing clubs within a 40 mile radius of each other come August. What a management line-up this would be.

One of Simeone, FDB or Pellegrini will be a very worthy appointment in my opinion. COYBB!

Todays football chat says EFC are getting Pellegrini's references.
One of the young office staff has flown to Chile to try and track down his old headmaster or one of his teachers.

I'm pretty sure we are going all out for Emery, if that doesn't come off I'd imagine it would be Pelligrini. I'm sure it'll be resolved within the next seven days. This is being done in a professional way, unlike Kenwrights appointment of Martinez.

The so-called waterfront stadium has me baffled. I spent half a day last week around the pier head, Princess and Trafalgar Dock area, and there is no space for a new ground unless newly built apartments and office blocks get pulled down?

Everything at our club is still a mess, it appears...

Ultimately, there can only be two reasons for the time it is taking (other than the obvious fact we had no-one lined up): we are waiting for a favoured candidate to make up their mind) or we are interviewing a range of candidates. I hope it's the latter as it signifies serious intent.

Waiting for Godot or Koeman is more of a risk. Either way, as Lyndon says, a little more patience is required (as long as it's not Moyes or Unsworth!).

Proof. Unsy for manager. Don't make me fucking laugh. I'd give a bit of leeway to Sheedy but not Unsworth. FFS.

Seriously it is very enlightening to read all the speculation but we would all like it to be sooner than later if only to move on to the speculation about which players are getting signed and which are being let go.

The players agents will all be wanting to cash in again this Summer and so little snippets from them will cause big speculation for many players possible movements. This, with all the Euro games makes it an exciting time for us footie fans.

Fuckin' get in there, Everton.

“Simeone, who has won every major trophy with Atlético in his four and a half years in charge apart from the Champions League, cast his future at the club into doubt when asked if he had thought about resigning.

“Do I have to continue with Atlético or is it the end of a cycle? I have to think about that” Simeone told a news conference."

Come on folks, fingers and toes crossed.

We are starting to look at the possibility of not having any strikers and centre backs by the start of the season if Stones and Lukaku go, which is looking likely.

I would love him at the club but his recent comments do not mean he would come here.

I would make Koeman one of the highest paid in the PL to leave Soton and promise him funds to build around our best stars who we will refuse to sell unless silly money is offered.

Why deluded?

See my post @ 62 in this thread which offers a counter to your claim.

If he is seriously considering his future we must speak to him. Moshiri is known as a former shareholder of Arsenal, a club held in high regard across Europe. It won't be an unknown & skint theatre owner doing the negotiating.

We can't ignore Mancini either.

As for Simeone; he's at a club that under him have won the league, cup, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup, twice CL runners up. Why on earth would he come to us? And please don't bore me with the 'war chest' argument.

Make no mistake this is possibly Everton's last real opportunity to break into the elite group of English clubs and if the board don't try and get the best manager available or tempt a manager who is with another club, we will be stuck as a middling club for a very long time.

We've tried the build on a steady as she goes approach and watched how our progress was stunted by lack of funds, cautious and reckless management, by unproven managers of potential.

We may never ever gain what we all desire but we have to hope that the club bring in a manager who has the desire to win trophies and one who has experienced winning regularly during his career. Who that turns out to be nobody yet knows but we have to hope that person can deliver what we all want to see, a team that properly challenges at the top end of the table and not one that languishes in mid-table and thinks that seventh or eighth is the best it can achieve.

My choice has always been Koeman and despite the claims in the media last week that he was about to sign another 2 year deal, the fact he still hasnt signed still gives me hope we will get him. I think if FDB was the choice he would be here, not convinced about Pellegrini had zillions to spend at City. His best players Aguero and Silva were bought by Mancini and some of his signings were bang average. So what would he achieve on a smaller budjet than he had with City. Yes of course he wants to stay in the Premiership thats where the money is and Everton suits as he wouldnt have to change his or his wifes lifestyle or home.

By all means aim high but be realistic! The point you make about City and when Sheik Mansour took over and at that point had to go with Hughes is a very good and valid one imo. I agree, I think we're in the same position but Tbf, there is better options out there who are available that I'm sure we could go for. You only have to look at both De Boer & Pellegrini who won't have clubs by next week and you'd think either one of those will be keen and good enough to take us on and improve us.

But going back to being patient etc, upon Mr Moshiri investing into the club, I'm sure he'll of had a manager in mind that he would like to lead his team if he ever took over a club and the Martinez sacking was always going to happen regardless imo so, if he did have a manager in mind, then he should be pulling out all the stops to get them in and if we can't, then we go to Plan B.

By the end of next week it'll of been 3 weeks since Martinez was sacked and we'll be going into a fourth week without a manager and personally I think a month is more than enough time to have managers in mind, approach them, talk to them and find out what you can, whittle it down to 2-3 of the best and go with the preferred one but know in the back of your mind you have one or two others you could go to and know you'd have confidence and trust in them to lead the club.

The longer we go on with not making an appointment leads me to believe we're waiting on developments between a manager and their club before we make our move, maybe Koeman or Emery perhaps?! Or someone else even (Mancini maybe?)?!

At least if that is the case then we have spoken to Pellegrini and De Boer's agent and they could be plan B, our fall back option you could say.

Preferably I'd like something to be sorted out by the end of next week. I want a manager in and ready to go. Give them plenty of time to get their staff in, get preparations in order ahead of pre season, start looking and acting on transfer targets and get the right people cracked on with all that early and get it all in place ready to hit the ground running ahead of the new season.

BK is no longer skint thanks to his recent divestment... far from it.

As for the 'silence' from the club. I welcome it, to me it shows nothing but professionalism. What's the alternative? – have our club acting like a gossiping newspaper,spewing rumours about potential candidate that are either still under contract or still connected with other clubs?

It's difficult I know, but patience is needed, as an Irishman no better phrase comes to mind than 'good things come to those who wait'... speaking of which, I've waited long enough for a pint!! Enjoy your weekends, friends!

I told you when a few weeks ago you declared you were "outta here and done with Everton", "good luck with that! If only it was that easy!"

Just to bring you up to speed, the manager you so avidly defended is history. The players you claimed were exempt from any blame from supporters attacking RM continued - and continue - to get dog's abuse during and after every game and now in the close season.

Many of the players you deride 'did it' for RM in his first season, so the ability you seemingly claim they lack is clearly there.

Changing the manager from one who:

* was more concerned with performances than results
* declared his teams are not and will never be set up to not concede goals
* paid little or no attention to dead ball situations, offensively or defensively
* regularly blew smoke up the players' arses, bigging them up rather than holding them to account and correcting their errors
* believed ball work was all that was necessary to maintain fitness levels ...

... for a manager who:

* is results driven
* prioritizes not conceding goals
* drills and prepares the team in dead ball plays
* holds players to account and corrects their errors
* has a fitness regime that ensures the players last the full 90 minutes of the game and over a full season

Then my guess is not only will we see a marked improvement in individual player performances who you denigrate, but the team as a whole also. Furthermore, the players will be hugely relieved to be under the guidance of a manager who gives them such structure.

We have a new man in place who's going to make the decision, but it will take time to get the right man. Making informed, evidence based decisions takes time, particularly when it comes to recruitment.

As for issuing statements about what's going on, what do those who want a statement think it should state? The name of our number 1 target perhaps? But what happens if we don't get him having issued a statement?

We all know what the club's doing at the moment, so what's the big deal in wanting a PR statement saying 'the club is actively engaged in establishing a high quality short list of managers and interviewing prospective candidates?

Your counter argument is flawed because of 2 key facts:

1- Rafa got sacked from Real Madrid and didnt chose to leave Madrid to move to Newcastle. He chose the toon as a free agent.

2- Rafa had Real Madrid performing poorly with a clear fan revolt whereas Simeone is adored by Athletico fans and is overperforming with the squad he has.

I don't blame fans for wanting the best but getting carried away on the back of one sentence of an interview where Simeone had just lost the most important trophy in club football on pens is in my view deluded...

Perhaps a sign that the spectre of David Moyes continues to hang over Everton FC!

I hope you get your wish to see Everton play on the banks of the Mersey in a few years time. Until then, good luck and good health and I hope I see the same game as you.

Looks like Pellegrini may be the man then. Certainly seems to be a front runner.

I'd prefer him to a manager with no EPL experience. Koeman would be preferable to Pellegrini for me, but appears he's out of the race.

Totally failed in your rebuttal there, I'm afraid Si.

Whether Benetiz was sacked or not, a free agent or not, adored by Real fans or not, is not cogent to the fact that a high profile manager on his own free will joined Newcastle United, a club in far greater disarray then Everton.

This single example totally undermines your (and others) claims that such a manager would never consider an approach by Everton.

Andy Walker; acknowledging its a preference thing, I don't buy the Premier League experience thing as being vital (hate the term EPL). Mourinho had no "EPL" experience until he went to Chelsea, Koeman until he went to Southampton, Pellegrini until he went to Man City, Klopp until he went to Liverpool, Pochettino until he went to Southampton, Mancini until he went to Man City, etc etc etc. Personally I think its irrelevant. Some of those successful, some still to win but lets be fair, all top managers and coaches who if we were offered tomorrow (forgetting any baggage) would take. Get the right man regardless and we shouldn't be condescending to other leagues.

Simone: why not ask the question? He can only say no.

If we go for someone like De Boer then we have to accept we're bringing in a developing manager who could succeed but will need a period of time, therefore patience. Expect perhaps a first season "bounce", second season slump and then must deliver in the 3rd season; Roberto didn't and paid the price.

If we go for a more proven and experienced then (e.g. Pellegrini) the expectation to deliver success earlier increases.

De Boer for me still as it feels right, but success won't be immediate, however when is that ever guaranteed?

I understand precisely what you meant, but bloody hell man!

Ian @197.

The nurse will be along soon with your medication. Carry on with your colouring in.

I should point out there is nothing wrong with homosexuality.

Also TW is not responsible for any comments on this forum.

PS Tony...only joking mate :)

Let's give him a chance!

With so much optimism around the club at the moment with talk of a new stadium, significant finances, etc. it would be some statement of intent if we could shock the establishment by announcing the likes of Simeone.

Oh, that ginger...

I think Moshiri changed all the locks when he bought the place so not much to worry there...

You mention a few managers that have been a success, but there's a much longer list of untried (in terms of EPL) foreign managers coming into our league and failing badly.

I don't think we have the resources like other clubs to gamble as much. Let's face it Chelsea or Liverpool can afford to fuck up a managerial appointment. I think we have one good shot to get this right so that Mosh can spend his money supporting his successful appointment, as opposed to wasting a pile on bad player signings, compo for paying off a bad managerial appointment and then getting in yet another manager who clears out the old manager's players and wants a new cheque book as well.

This.

The answer is NO 100% of the times you don't even bother to ask.

Ask him and let's see.

I hand out plenty, so I have to have the nuts to accept plenty.
But I love a laugh anyway, have too, I'm a Blue !
Take Care.

Whatever the merits of Martinez I believe that as a whole the team as individuals were found wanting, they performed very well in some games but could not sustain that level over an extended period. What we lacked most was a creative midfielder that could link the play from back to front, that is a priority for this coming season also.

If Lukaku and Stones leave as seems extremely likely the new manager is going to have recruit approx. 10 new players in my opinion, it remains to be seen if we can attract players of sufficient quality to give us some much needed success, I have my doubts.

We do have a number of younger players though that look like they could step up to the first team if given a chance this season, it depends if the new manager is brave enough, that's one area where Martinez could not be faulted given the risk involved.

It will be very interesting to see what this season brings, but I for one as I said before will not be expecting any wonderful transformation of our fortunes, hoping yes, expecting no.

To flip the argument; name me a recent manager with premier league experience who has achieved success... Ranieri aside; a freak that will never be repeated.

To me Premier League experience smacks of; Moyes, Allardyce, Hughes, Bruce, Pulis, Pardew... or dare I say it, Rogers, Lambert, Martinez. Please give me a name I'm missing that has Premier League experience and is a better fit than those being mentioned. I'm open to offers.

" your not being the Ginger one are you."

Simeone
Emery
Mancini
Koeman
Pellegrini
Some ginger bloke seen running away from the press towards Manchester.

Just threw the last one in to make up the numbers and to wind up Alex Ferguson.

My point is that if managers have EPL experience, a good track record (I think Koeman would fit this, playing style, built a team, exceeded expectations) and critically potential to develop further, that's less of a risk than appointing a manager that's never, worked, managed, or lived in this country (and of course neither would his family).

My point is about probability and stacking odds in our favour. It's not to say that a foreign manager who's never lived in the UK, maybe can't speak English very well, never managed in the EPL, couldn't make it work. I just think it's less likely than one that can tick all these boxes.

Again, please give me an example of an experienced Premier League manager who you would choose over those who don't have that experience. Like I say, open to offers and to be countered in thought.

3rd round KO.

What a day Hamilton wins Monaco, Bellew wins the world title and we're in for Simeone (OK that one is wishful thinking).

I'd rather we appoint a manager that's passed this test, rather than serving their EPL apprentiship with us. I think that's where are opinions differ a bit.

Whatever happens, I think it's pretty clear that this appointment is going to be much more professional that the absolutely disgraceful appointment of the last man, a manager that had just relegated his last team. I still am staggered by that.

You're still avoiding the subject; who are the experienced English Premier League managers who meet your criteria?

He has no business being there. They should have him arrested if he steps foot in Goodison. You can't just come waltzing in. Tonight should be about boxing but now it's ruined and Tony's success overshadowed by the selfish actions of Moyes.

I remember Eddie Wainwright and Tommy Eglington weaving down the wings, John Willie Parker gave a touch of elegance to goalscoring and then the standout came along! Davie Hickson! What a player! King of the kids.

I only wish the kids today got the joy that we got following our heroes.

Yes you can stop trouble makers attending an event on account of crowd incitement.

Seriously, Kieran ...?

Get a grip, man.

Well it looks like that is well founded with the 'special guest', in Kenwright's box none other than OFFM, David Moyes, at last night's fight.

I suggested you send an open letter urgently to Kenwright telling him of the unrest from Everton fans at the thought of a Moyes return, well I think that open letter would now fall on deaf ears.

I just figured a night in the nick would make Moyes think twice about coming to Everton again

Not as boring as our football if that twat comes back. It just goes to prove that Kenwright knew all along where that snidey Scot was going, while we only found out near the end: otherwise, why would he entertain a 'man' who did the dirty on him?

Bollocks to Kenshite – the sooner he leaves our club with his millions of pounds profit, the happier I will be....

What a manager.

Subtle difference between the "best" league and the league that pays the best; of course Sky and their cronies will state it's the best. 4 European titles in 24 since the creation of the Premier League hardly suggests European dominance (unlike the 8 in 7 years that the English league achieved in the late 70s/early 80s).

My point is we shouldn't limit our options by imposing the "must have English Premier League experience" criteria. For me, it's not even a nice to have, let alone must have. I'm sure Pep, Klopp before him and Arsne at the time were quaking in their boots at never having managed in the most self-glorified league in the world.

Yes, the individuals were poor towards the end of the season, but my point is that it wasn't because they're not good enough – it's because they weren't playing as well as they can.

I say that the players are good enough (I'd argue they have the potential to be quite a lot better than Leicester's) but that they were badly managed for a long time and so played a long way below their potential.

If we get a high level manager in, they'll improve massively in quite a short space of time. We had top four players and a mid-table team, Leicester had relegation zone players and a title winning team. The difference is coaching, management and all the things that come with that (fitness, tactics, team spirit, confidence etc.). That's why they have managers at all.

The club has said absolutely nothing, zero, fuckall.

Now as individuals, we can read into that what the bloody hell we like, but that gets not a single one of us closer to the truth, none. But what that amounts to is us "The Devout" acting like soothsayers, palm readers and water diviners. Guesswork, sheer guesswork.

So in place of the vacuum which we have, instead of solid information, allow me to offer (again) the open letter from Alisher Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri to the Arsenal Board of Directors (plus some other significant figures) in July 2012.

For me it's the most solid info that we have about the views of Farhad Moshiri and his motives. It's a bloody good read.

RED AND WHITE SECURITIES LIMITED

To: The Board of Directors of Arsenal Holdings Plc: Peter Hill-Wood, Ivan Gazidis, Ken Friar, Sir Chips Keswick, Lord Harris of Peckham, Stanley Kroenke

With copy to: David Miles, Mark Gonnella

5th July 2012

Re: Open Letter to the Board of Directors of Arsenal Holdings Plc (the "Club")

Dear Sirs,

In recent weeks a couple of separate actions have occurred, which have caused us, as a near 30% shareholder in the Club, to have serious concerns about the approach of the Board and the management team:

• Firstly, there were some very deliberate and public comments by Ivan Gazidis which were intended to leave the Club's supporters with an impression that Red & White is in some bitter stand-off with the Board over its desire for a Board seat and that our involvement on the Club's Board might cause conflict and "destabilize" the Club; and

• Secondly, OJSC MegaFon (Russia) received a cold call letter from Mr Gazidis requesting a meeting to discuss a possible international partnership deal including shirt sponsorship. MegaFon is one of the three largest mobile phone companies in Russia and also happens to be over 50% owned by Alisher Usmanov. Is this really the level of professionalism that is being applied to securing long-term commercial contracts?

Let us not forget that we have invested circa £200 million of cash in the equity of the Club. We are part of this Club and naturally want the best for it, but our investment is less important than the fact that we are loyal supporters and will never do anything that would destabilize or "create conflict" at the Club.

We do however believe that you, the Board, and the executive management team should focus your energies on the most efficient operation of the Club and desist from seeking to create a false enemy in Red & White. In our view it is clear that you are trying to distract attention from the more fundamental issues facing the Club, and which indeed many of the supporters discuss through social media sites and other forums on a regular basis. These are the financial model, the lack of investment and the Club's future strategic direction.

However, before addressing these points, it is important to deal with the issues surrounding a Board seat for Red & White once and for all. As you all know well, Mr Usmanov has never sought for himself a Board seat at the Club. Indeed Mr Usmanov does not hold any board seat in any of the companies where he is an investor. Since the purchase of our first share in the Club, we have not only steadfastly adhered to a policy of non-interference in the running of the Club, but have consistently supported the management and given no reason whatsoever to be accused of subversion or sabotage. The history of our voting in support of the Board at the annual general meetings is proof of this.

Indeed, in any conversation about conflict, it is clear from a look at the history of the Club in recent years that the Board has achieved conflict without the help of any outside parties, notably the acrimonious departures of David Dein, Keith Edelman, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr, who then reappeared on the Football Club Board. You also instituted a lock-down agreement originally to prevent Mr Kroenke from gaining control and then, later, to exclude our involvement even though there were no grounds or need to do so.

The real conflict seems to be between the supporters' expectations and your vision for the Club and at the heart of this is the policy of so-called self-financing. The self-financing model was created to suit the major shareholders at the time, all of whom subsequently sold their shares.

The previous decision by the Board to fund the building of the Emirates Stadium with long-term debt was, we believe, certainly not about self-financing. If it had been, it would have been funded through a mixture of debt and non-dividend equity. Instead it allowed, in our view, the major shareholders of the time, who happened to all be Board directors, to load the Club with a liability, to benefit from increased future revenue streams and consequent increase in the value of their holdings, whilst avoiding dilution of their equity. The Board of the time then appeared to pursue a policy of increasing ticket prices and squeezing the fans to cover the short term cost increases which allowed them to bridge until all of these shareholders and Board directors sold 100% of their holdings and cashed out at vast profits.

This policy does not seem to have changed. We have sought and been refused any meetings with Mr Kroenke despite the fact that we own almost 30% of the Club or to put another way almost 1 in every 3 seats in the stadium. It is clear that our stated policy for the major shareholders, namely Mr Kroenke and ourselves, to inject non-dividend paying equity into the Club by way of a rights issue to reduce the debt and invest in the future is of no interest to the Board. Mr Kroenke was sold a vision by the Board at the time that the Club could be successful without further investment, so he is pursuing a similar policy which is to run the Club without any investment and to avoid any dilution of his equity, a good part of which was funded by a loan from Deutsche Bank AG to KSE, UK, Inc. at the time of the mandatory offer. The status of that loan and whether it is still outstanding has not been clarified by Mr Kroenke.

As a consequence of this policy, which is dressed up as prudent financial planning, it is down to our manager, and not the shareholders, to have to deal with the Club's tight finances, carry the burden of repaying the stadium debt by selling his best players and having to continue to find cheaper replacements. All of that, naturally, comes at the expense of performance on the pitch.

This policy is leading to the loss of our best players, often to our main competitors, and even causes the players themselves to question their future at the Club and the Club's ambitions. The situation with our captain and outstanding performer from last season Robin van Persie sums this up. Yet again we are faced with losing our true marquee player at the Club because we cannot assure him of the future direction and give confidence that we can win trophies. Where are the safeguards to ensure that this doesn't happen again and again in the future? As a top Club we should, at the very least, match if not beat the offers that other clubs make to try and lure our very best players away, and also provide a more compelling vision of the future. You can try and put a good face on a bad game for as long as you want, pontificating about the merits of this model, but it will not hide the obvious fact that it just does not allow our great manager to fully realize his managerial talent and deliver success for the fans who are paying the highest prices in the land. It appears that a place in the Champions League will be the pinnacle of our ambition again next season. Unfortunately, in the future we may see this ambition lowered further. It doesn't help to turn a blind eye to the reality of the situation and keep thinking of ourselves as being in the same league as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona. To have a fighting chance of success, which means winning trophies, we need to match them in every aspect, including, if not first and foremost, financial.

So what is Red & White's vision for the Club? It is simple. A debt free Club, with a big enough war chest to buy top talent players who can hit the ground running and who can complement the Club's long tradition of developing young players and homegrown talent. Together they can help the Club win the most prestigious trophies - because it is the trophies which are the crowning achievement for everybody at the Club. The trophies are also key to the commercial success of the Club - they increase the value of the players, the value of the brand, attract the best sponsors and maximize the value of our commercial contracts which should in turn mean that the Club does not have to squeeze any more income from hard pressed fans. We also believe in the transparency that a stock market listing brings so are committed to the Club remaining listed on the stock exchange and to greater fan involvement both through share ownership and also Board representation for the fans.

Today we wish the majority shareholder Mr Kroenke every success in running the Club, even though we have deep reservations about the viability of the policies being pursued by his management team and sanctioned by the Board.

Finally and reflecting our long-term commitment to the Club, we will continue to purchase more shares in the Club from anyone who wants to sell them to us. Also in order to formalize our long-term involvement with the Club and put an end to any speculation over our position, we, as the co-owners of Red &White, will proudly retain our holding in the Club as a long-term investment for ourselves and our family members to benefit for generations to come. We want the absolute best for the Club and will do what is necessary to ensure the success of the Club that we all love.

Yours sincerely,

Alisher Usmanov

Farhad Moshiri

Let's hope they turn out to be serious players in the Premier League.

What a dig.