Brands further delays his decision

Friday, 4 May, 2018 54comments  |  Jump to most recent

Marcel Brands says he won't make his mind up over whether or not to leave his role as PSV Eindhoven's technical director for a position at Everton until after this weekend when the Dutch season ends.

The 55-year-old had indicated that he would announce his decision this week but it now appears as though the Blues will have to wait a little longer for him to make it official one way or the other.

Brands has admitted to being courted by Everton as they seek to at least bolster the recruitment side of their management staff following last summer's disappointing transfer dealings.

It is assumed that he would take up a sporting director role at Finch Farm, either in tandem with or in place of Steve Walsh, but nothing has been confirmed.

Brands has said he would find it a wrench to leave PSV where he has enjoyed considerable success, including this season's Eredivisie title, and that, perhaps, explains why he is taking extra time to mull over a change in scenery.

"I will decide after the season what I'm going to do," Brands told ED in the Netherlands.

"Now everything is great in Eindhoven and it would be a very difficult decision to leave PSV. I have seen good and bad times in recent years and, to be honest, at times it was a lot less fun than now.

"That is true in every club, of course. In addition to the fact that you are in such a situation, you have to justify yourself regularly. I never ran away from it because it's part of the job."

 

Reader Comments (54)

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Jamie Evans
1 Posted 04/05/2018 at 07:24:01
Never in a rush to do anything these dutch fellas are they.
Geoff Lambert
2 Posted 04/05/2018 at 07:29:58
Has he been reading ToffeeWeb?
Tony Abrahams
3 Posted 04/05/2018 at 07:55:30
Maybe he's waiting for "A SILVA LINING". It's still a D-O-F though, and I'm not sure it works that great in football?

I look across the park and think how much better Liverpool's recruitment has been since their manager started selecting the players he wants to fit into his system, and think this way usually has more success in football?

Bobby Mallon
4 Posted 04/05/2018 at 08:00:03
Tony Abrahams well said. We don't need aDOF we need a manager with a plan and vision on how to play football that excites Us the fans.
Scott Bosworth
5 Posted 04/05/2018 at 08:23:59
Seems pretty obvious to me. He's attracted to the idea of Everton, but doesn't want to commit until he knows Sam is gone.
Paul Birmingham
6 Posted 04/05/2018 at 08:38:24
Let's see what happens after West Ham's game. The seasons then over and maybe a rebuilding plan of board and management and coaching staff could start.
Who knows, the club stays stum and leaves us pondering.
Ian Carrie
7 Posted 04/05/2018 at 09:04:55
What would encourage a young football fan to support our team if we keep the same regime next season? The Back To Basics button needs to be pressed now.

Don't employ Marcel Brands and save money on his salary. "Golden handshakes" (PR talk to keep Bill happy) for Steve Walsh, Sam Allardyce and all his hangers-on, saving money on their salaries. Then go out and spend the bloody money we've just saved bribing a top manager to come here and sort this squad out.

Someone with the balls to give players a good bollocking when they are not trying. Someone with the balls to demand 100% from everyone involved from Moshiri to the groundskeepers.

We don't need another "yes" man – we just need someone who can get 100%, even 85% out of the squad. We have good players here, just get them to show it.

John Malone
8 Posted 04/05/2018 at 09:17:10
Bobby 4, well said mate 100% agree the right manager is the most important signing for us bar none!
Brian Harrison
9 Posted 04/05/2018 at 09:24:35
I genuinely despair with our club, seems they cant get anything right. I don't know who is driving this club. We have Craig Shakespeare employed and I have no idea what imput he has in either team selection or tactics. Then we have Steve Walsh who alongside our manager decides possible purchases of players.

We have approached Marcel Brands to come on board, now I don't know whether this is to replace Walsh or work alongside him. Well if it is to work alongside Walsh how does having 2 Directors of Football work. Seems like just more confusion, and although the Marcel Brands deal was being touted as a done deal that now seems to be in doubt. Maybe seeing all the unrest at Everton and the possibility of the manager losing his job, Brands may want assurances as to his role and which manager he will be working with.

Dermot Byrne
10 Posted 04/05/2018 at 09:40:52
Maybe it is getting Brands that is vital to attracting a decent manager.

As for it been a done deal, never saw club say that but may have missed it.

Mark Dunford
12 Posted 04/05/2018 at 10:04:54
I don't think any of this will be really sorted till after the West Ham fixture. However, things need to move really quickly then. Silva is back to the top in the bookies race and it is notable that he hasn't really been linked with any of the vacancies since he left Watford.
Colin Glassar
13 Posted 04/05/2018 at 10:11:48
I agree with Scott. If Sam stays we'll be stuck with the fatties and nothing will ever change.
Alan J Thompson
14 Posted 04/05/2018 at 10:23:16
There are a lot of positions which should be looked at but off the park I think we need a CEO who can pull the 1st XI coaching staff, other coaching staff, and the scouting department into line so that not only are they on the same chapter but reading from the same page. Little point in signing players who can't get work visas or won't be considered by the Manager and while he's at it sort out the Marketing Dept so that we sell more merchandise and issue less questionnaires, then in his spare time, oversee the new ground and sort out termination clauses in all contracts.
The job should be considerably easier after the August retirements.
David Reid
15 Posted 04/05/2018 at 10:54:01
Tony 3 spot on let the manager decide style of play & let the board support him with the cash for the players required & we the supporters are patient as all this will take time. Unfortunately it has worked across the park.
Brian Williams
16 Posted 04/05/2018 at 11:09:42
Talking of style of play. Allardyce has just said that we've played good football and beaten teams well at home......................................surreal!

Also said the "dissenters" are a "small minority."

Marc Hints
17 Posted 04/05/2018 at 11:23:40
Just seen some of Sam's press conference and now I am convinced he is staying as he talks a lot about pre-season and next season. He also talks a lot about a list of players he wants etc...

Think we can all put the manager rumours to bed

Mick Conalty
18 Posted 04/05/2018 at 11:37:09
It pains me to say this but, with the likes of Kenwright and Moshiri in charge, Everton Football Club have become a Basket Case.
Brian Murray
19 Posted 04/05/2018 at 11:42:47
Marc hints, if that is the case count me out and thanks for the fierce ambition, Moshiri. Not.
Sam Hoare
20 Posted 04/05/2018 at 12:26:22
I'd be excited for a Silva-Brands era. A proper coach as manager and a man who's past work as DOF has seen the attached clubs move forwards significantly.
Steve Ferns
21 Posted 04/05/2018 at 12:31:53
He's just showing off his skills and negotiating his wages up.
Iain Johnston
22 Posted 04/05/2018 at 12:52:57
I see Allardyce is practicing his Alistair Campbell school of press conference skills again...
Stephen Meighan
23 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:14:34
I've been watching Everton for over 50 years now. I've seen one great side in the mid-eighties, some decent sides... but mainly mediocre and shite in that period but this season takes the biscuit for the dross that's been served up.

So what does Mr Romance do? Holds an award ceremony for the players called The Dixies. Cheeky little stunt trying to deflect the mess for the last 20-odd years – fancy dragging the great man's name through the mud.

What my point is: if you want to pay tribute to the great man, all leave the ground tomorrow after 60 minutes and show this board of losers were all sick and tired of it.

William Cartwright
24 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:22:25
Alan @ 14, that's a pretty comprehensive summary of what a director of football does, or should be doing, and you can see how complex the job actually is.

On top of all that he has the to keep the balance just right between resourcing and expending exactly in tune with the team manager including the sensitive acquisition of players.

Reading the headlines – hopes for Silva. watching Allardyce's pressie – despair for the immediate future and possibly beyond.

It may be that Brands is wanted because there is a real job to do, including possibly the appointment of said manager? If so, and he takes up the challenge, then Allardyce will be gone together with his team...?

It may also be he doesn't fancy the herculean task of dealing with the problems that have been building up within Everton for many years, several before Moshiri's arrival.

Steve Ferns
25 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:32:15
You're right, William. The CEO should have little if anything to do with the football side of the club. He should only get involved if their is pressure on the football side and he needs to discuss the problems and identify whether changes are needed in personnel.

The Director of Football is needed to do the duties stated and a lot more. The manager or coach should concentrate on the first team, it's preparation, coaching, and matches. Of course, I believe the manager / coach should have final say on signings, but the Director of Football needs to do all the dirty work and the recruitment department identify them. The manager and director of football may want to watch the player themselves.

The CEO should focus on overseeing the off the field activities on a day to day basis. Focusing on finance, marketing, and the stadium.

Matthew Williams
26 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:33:46
Stay where you are now, lad, we don't need yer, we just need one man to oversee the lot... he's called a Manager. End of...

Director of Football... my arse!

Gordon Crawford
27 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:40:18
There is nothing wrong with a DOF if he does his job well. But he isn't a necessity, a great manager is. Sadly we look stuck with Sam for another season. Sam also said that he wants us to maintain seventh or eighth, talking about positive lofty ambition. Depressing. :(
Phil Walling
28 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:43:49
Surely, Steve, the CEO is the Chief Executive Officer and thus has legal responsibility for everything that goes on at the Club!

He will be up to his neck in financial matters relating to the playing side and will be charged with advising the Board on transfer and wage budgets.

I know many on here see the job as requiring a mere lip-spittle but they couldn't be more wrong. Elstone may not be everybody's cup of tea but that is because EFC does not operate as normal businesses do due to the 'fly by your pants' style of our revered Chairman!


Matthew Williams
29 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:45:04
Everton FC & Dutchmen... just like Oil & Water. They don't mix... next!

Steve Ferns
30 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:45:37
Name an English club, other than Ferguson's United, that won something in the last 10 years without one. Nearly every Premier League has one now. Most are just quietly in the background.

Every major club in Europe has one. Football is too big now. We can't manage a billion pound industry in the way we did in the 70's. Negotiations aren't a couple of managers and an agent, there's about 50 guys on each side now.

Come on, guys, it's 2018 now.

Steve Ferns
31 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:49:43
Phil, what you perceive as the Chairman's job, is the CEOs job. The chairman is meant to fire and hire the CEO, to summons him to board meetings and to get reports on the day to day running on the club. The Chairman has little input in the day-to-day running of the club. Our chairman is meant to have a full-time job, and a radio show.
Phil Walling
32 Posted 04/05/2018 at 13:58:07
Just my point, Steve. Everton is not run as most businesses and I'm told that until recently 'governance' was not existent. What went for Board meetings were brief chats between Kenwright and Woods after games followed by phone chats with 'mystery' figures never seen at Goodison.

We can only hope things have improved now Moshiri calls the shots!

Steve Ferns
33 Posted 04/05/2018 at 14:08:58
If that's the case Phil, then it's not on. Some companies have a Chairman / CEO. These are usually very large companies built up from nothing by one man, and so that man is both CEO and a Chairman, but it's his sole job and so he's in total control.

We've a separation for good reason. And the CEO is meant to answer to the board. The chairman has no other functions than the other board members other than the casting vote and being the spokesman for the board.

The CEO may be directed by the board to do certain things, such as set the the budget for no purchases and no increased wages, we are putting all monies into the stadium. However, he does not advise the board and they set the budget. It's done by the CEO. if the board is unhappy with the work they can fire him, and so he will take this under consideration.

The CEO really oversees a load of other people. They do the dirty work, and the CEO makes the big decisions from the options presented and spend the rest of his time wining and dining and shaking hands.

He should not be involved in doing anymore than Shaking players hands. That's why we need a Director of Football. He does that for him and answers directly to the CEO.

Phil Walling
34 Posted 04/05/2018 at 14:20:38
I suspect the role of 'chief exec' at Goodison is very different to that at say, Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal and probably 'over the park'!

I bet Kenwright has never referred to a governance manual at any time during his 'reign'!

Steve Ferns
35 Posted 04/05/2018 at 14:26:53
We've got the Esk and Roger Armstrong posting regularly now. Perhaps they could do an article on how Everton is run and how they think it should be run. They both know far more than me and I would be interested to know their views.
James Hughes
36 Posted 04/05/2018 at 14:35:07
Marcel Brands is not the answer but could be part of the solution.

We have had many articles on here about how we have lost our way and identity. Moshri's arrival was meant to take Plucky Everton who punched above their weight (sigh). Into a real prospect and major player. At present we don't seem to know our arse from our elbow.

The senior managers need to impose their football plan as well as the business plan. They have planned and projected income, why not a planned football ethos.

Cruyff, was a huge influence on Barca and his vision and playing style was imposed from youth team up. Players were drilled into the Barca way. Pique, Puyol, Iniesta were part of his vision an ethos.

I am not saying we should start to trying emulate Barca, we tried that we failed. What I am suggesting is that the board (with assistance) plan a football ethos for the club and recruit accordingly. Mangers, coaches, players the whole shebang follows the ethos.

If you look at the way have played in the past few years and who we have entrusted to manage our club, well it's baffling. No plan no consistency.

I will try an analogy, probably won't work, but I will try. I have spent all my working life in catering, so I will compare managers to head chefs and the board to food outlet owner. We have gone from promised gourmet food to the greasy spoon.

Moyes: You are struggling and the chef is poor, he turns up and takes over. Cooks well consistently but you ain't special. He moves on and you decide to go for the stars.

Martinez: The next best thing he will you awards and his food makes Heston Blumenthal look ordinary, Turns out the interview was his best work.

Koeman: Quality chef, seen it all and done it all, Man is resting on his reputation. He was great once and will be again when he can be bothered. We ain't the time...

Allardyce: The owner has now given up and bought a burger van, no more dreams of Michelin stars, just solid survival and let me pay the bills that come in.

I hope that makes sense as we are all over the place at present...

We need to set the style and recruit accordingly. In my poor analogy, if I was mid- to high-end restaurant, I would not employ a burger flipper. The club should employ the same principles.

What style will Silva bring, Fonseca, Joe Bloggs etc? If they don't fit the Job Description, then don't employ them.

Soren Moyer
37 Posted 04/05/2018 at 14:40:54
Why should we stick with this DoF bollocks? I can't see anything positive in doing that!
Colin Malone
38 Posted 04/05/2018 at 14:44:39
Too many cooks as far as I'm concerned, on too much money.
Steve Ferns
39 Posted 04/05/2018 at 15:03:58
Soren and Colin, which Premier League club would you like us to emulate then? If this doesn't work, then whose model should we copy?
Justin Doone
40 Posted 04/05/2018 at 15:32:10
Mr Brands, your clearly not the decisive person we are after to improve us. You dither, I decide. Your no longer wanted.

It's still football. That comes first. Therefore the manager is of a higher priority and in that respect the type and style of expected football should be what drives the decision.

Whoever the manager is, is likely to have a list of player targets. This along side other help in recruiting players is all we need currently.

He'll want his own backroom staff to get on with the important job if coaching and managing, not some interfering DOF, COE or chairperson.

Once this is in place the Everton business needs to be improved in all departments but not at the expense or focus of improving the football first at this stage.

We can improve the Everton brand not Mr Brands. I'm sure still many years away but relative success, attractive football, a few top class players and a new sradium will all help the business branding and reputation.

Soren Moyer
41 Posted 04/05/2018 at 15:44:07
The RS model Steve.
Steve Ferns
42 Posted 04/05/2018 at 15:46:54
They have a Director of Football called Michael Edwards. Next?
David Barks
43 Posted 04/05/2018 at 15:48:17
The RS have a Sporting Director. Klopp wanted it.
Steve Ferns
44 Posted 04/05/2018 at 15:52:40
Exactly David. They got rid of the Transfer Committee and promoted Edwards to Sporting Director aka Director of Football. He's also a moneyball guy, which is unsurprising as John Henry the owner is the guy who tried to take the original Mr Moneyball Billy Beane from the Oakland A's to his own Baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, as shown at the end of the movie.
Sam Hoare
45 Posted 04/05/2018 at 15:56:55
As Steve says, nearly every successful club now has a DOF or someone performing a similar role.

I wish we'd got Monchi. Zorc from Dortmund has obviously done some excellent work too. But Brands is highly rated. Seems a good move to me. As for him 'dithering', if he likes to think deeply and carefully about making extremely important decisions then that seems a good sign to me. He's reaping the fruits at PSV right now so I can see why leaving isn't the obvious choice.

Tony Abrahams
46 Posted 04/05/2018 at 16:33:00
Who tells the dof, to sign the players Steve, Because this is the bit I don't really understand?

I maybe sound facetious, but after looking at Everton's recruitment last summer, was it the blind leading the blind, or the blind giving in to the blind mans, blind spot?

Tony Abrahams
47 Posted 04/05/2018 at 16:37:23
On a better note, even a blind man, would be able to tell that Big Sam from Dudley, has just gave the game away, because if he's won over the fans, he must have told them he his leaving.

The song for tomorrow should be, "we love you Allardyce, but don't come back"

Steve Ferns
48 Posted 04/05/2018 at 16:38:07
That's the bit we have to get right Tony. You're right about last summer.

The problem is clearly defining the roles. Does the manager work for the DoF or does the DoF work for the manager?

What works best for me is the head scout will reccommend players and the DoF will study tape and consult the manager and then the DoF will watch him. If he likes what he sees he will invite the manager to watch him too.

The manager should also be saying: get me a left back, find someone like a young Leighton Baines. Or go get Luke Shaw, or Ryan Bertrand. I need a striker too so make sure we've still got cash left for that.

The problem is not the roles, it's the defining of roles.

Tony Abrahams
49 Posted 04/05/2018 at 16:48:46
Exactly Steve, and much more importantly, how good these people are, once their roles are defined!

How about Sam from near Birm-ing-ham, we want you to know, that were not gonna miss your shite, the minute you walk out the door, please just go.. please just go, we're beggin you to go!

Steve Ferns
50 Posted 04/05/2018 at 16:51:35
Haha good song!
Paul Ellam
51 Posted 04/05/2018 at 18:51:59
I'm not sure if Brands will do us any good or not.
That is not what is getting under my skin.
What is annoying me yet again with Everton is the seemingly slow build up to making or getting a decision.
I just wish we were more ruthless and incisive.
We approached Brands ages ago, he still hasn't decided.
We allegedly approached Fonseca, he's holding us off for a better job.
We allegedly approached Wilshere - same as above. Keeping us dangling.
I would love to see Mr Moshiri have the balls to say to people/clubs - we want a decision by X date or it's off!
None of this hanging around, if the people we are chasing aren't excited by us then let them go and move onto someone who is.
Keith Harrison
52 Posted 04/05/2018 at 23:10:42
Out the gate on 78,
Out the gate on 78.
Keith Harrison
53 Posted 04/05/2018 at 23:30:10
T'was the Sammer of hearts and minds,
Shite footy till me eyeballs bled,
Rom left, Ross got twatted,
And the shite turned the whole town red.

Standing in the Gwladys street,
Really makes you bloody wonder,
If we'll ever shoot at goal again,
Our manager with face like thunder,

These are the worst days of my life.
Back in the Sammer of hearts and minds

Wo-oh yeah

Back in the Sammer of hearts and minds.

Alan J Thompson
55 Posted 05/05/2018 at 04:01:57
I'm sorry if I didn't make it clear but it needs someone, a CEO?, to pull it all together, that each man and dept knows their responsibilities and understands those of others. At the moment we have a CEO who is leaving and doesn't seem to have done a lot in a period of major changes, albeit I have little idea of what he actually has done or why.
A lot may say that it is what the Chairman should have been doing but without the proper organization it won't get done by someone who spends most of his time in London or Monaco.
Rob B Williams
56 Posted 07/05/2018 at 09:13:50
There's talk that we are going for an Irish manager, we've had some good Irish players, so why not? The press are touting that well known ex Arsenal Irish fella Patrick Viera as our next manager – so if we can't get Arteta why not Patrick and his former mentor Wenger, as DoF.

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