NES: Seal of Mediocrity or Hero-in-Waiting?

As stated, the board have appointed managers with different backgrounds over the Moshiri era. All have yielded similar results.

While I completely understand a negative reaction following Wolves's 2020/21 season, Lyndon's article outlines more than enough reasons to be optimistic.

Think about recruitment for a second. Interesting to learn of his connections to Jorge Mendes. All of Jota, Traore, Neto, Neves would walk into our starting eleven.

Delending on a successful transfer market we could have a very competitive team next season.

The graft and research you put into your work is astonishing.

I know it's a labour of love, but take yet another bow lad

The patient 352 / 532 looked just fine the way Tuchel played it in the Champions league final and might also suit a lot of our players too, making it easier to fix our first 11 - and leaving enough in the kitty for some depth / options we're so desperately short of in attack.

Interesting to see whether he will work with the likes of Simms, Gordon and Branthwaite in the first team squad - because Ancelotti wouldn't. The latter two in particular look tailor made for his system.

After the initial shock of Carlo's departure, I am now rather glad that he has gone. We were terrible to watch and I don't think another season would have seen much improvement. I don't know if Nuno is the answer but at least, hopefully, it we will see something different.

For experience in the PL, Nuno turned around Wolves into a respectable and often times formidable appointment. With a solid recruitment strategy, we can bring respect back to EFC, of which sadly has been lacking the last few years.

More importantly we don't need another Martinez and Allardyce situation were the 2 were dead men walking from minute one. The gleeful chasing of the pair at the first opportunity a foregone conclusion.

What a fuckin job the Everton appointment has become right up there now as one of the biggest poisoned chalices in footy.

Give the noonster a fair go

The Ancelotti appointment lifted expectations. The only other available manager to maintain those expectations is Conte.

It looks to me like Moshiri doesn't want to bring Conte in and bankroll him enough to make us serious challengers.

'There have been huge disagreements in the Everton boardroom over the appointment of their next manager, according to The Times journalist Duncan Castles.

Speaking on The Transfer Window podcast [11/06/21], Castles claims there have been boardroom quarrels over Carlo Ancelotti's successor, with ex-Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo now waiting for the Blues to send him a contract.
“Nuno was approached very early by Everton and told he was first choice for the job, and he has spoken to them extensively” Castles said
“Those discussions with Everton came in the midst of what we've described as a big internal dispute at Everton.

“You have different camps in the boardroom. You have Bill Kenwright who has been trying to get David Moyes and has been pushing for Roberto Martinez, and I understand he now has favourable words for the idea of bringing Rafael Benitez to the Everton dugout.

“Then you have Farhad Moshiri, who is the titular owner of the club. You have Kia Joorabchian as an advisor to both of them. You have Marcel Brands who, as director of football, should have one of the most important says, but it doesn't seem to be working that way.

“Nuno stepped away from Crystal Palace because Everton continued to phone him and tell him ‘no, come to Everton instead, we want you as manager', and that put enough doubt in his mind with Crystal Palace.

“He is waiting for Everton to come up with a formal contract offer and the expectation is that he will be their next manager, but until the offer is there and the contract is signed that is not guaranteed.”

So, it would appear that Bungalow Bill has still got too much influence in the Boardroom. Worrying.

We're mid-table due to the majority of our players being made-table standard. You want top four? Sign top-four standard players.

Or you sign high-potential players and have a manager AND a good standard of coaching to improve those players and unlock the potential.

It's not that hard a concept, although admittedly, harder in practice.

The 1st problem Nuno or anyone has is leaving out the chicken-shit players who have no heart or stomach. You know, Sigi, Iwobi, Gomes - serial bottlers and shirkers. Players who go into hiding when the tough-shit starts

Agree with #23 Winston. We need to rid our team of the serial bottlers and shirkers especially in midfield.

We need a manager to rule with authority, lay the law down, and tell the players it's his way or the highway. Conte may be the answer, but he will want the board to back him heavily in the transfer market. Either him or give it Dunc.

We don't need more of the same of recent past managers, straight faced, lack of passion for our club. Ancellotti walked out! How disrespectful to the fans and club is that?

Maybe it has been very reluctantly accepted at Everton that Everton need to be able to first play correctly without the ball, given the ability and technicality of the squad as Ancelotti said. When Anchelotti had to publically renounce his players for effort in a attempt to motivate them, it is then the game is up. What it appears Everton have done having read Lyndons article is to appoint a Moyes/Anchelotti combination type Manager. Continuing on the work already started by Ancelotti, with a sinilar forward plan of progess. Banking a midtable finish , with the ever present hope of progression. A Everton hallmark.

Good luck to him, hopefully I can fall in behind Nuno.

Thanks again Lyndon for this fantastic article, well done. You have maybe saved the weekend.

We will however be in the premiership when the new stadium opens, mission accomplished Mr Moshiri!

It is absolute soul destroying trying to work out the direction of this club and this appointment will seal the 7th (at best) position we are geared for.

Without a big team failing miserably all season its a long season to chase 6th or 7th for us. I'd love to know where he was on Spurs list?

I think Mendes is well cemented within the board members of Wolves (who have just taken another Portugeezer manager) and don't see him being a great factor in any of this. He seems to have a big relationship with the owners of Wolves.

However. May l say now that Nuno will be a success. Brands will make a few good signings and our new manager will have a good structure, wont change the shape every single week and wont play the wrong players in the wrong roles. I'm really looking forward to watching a balanced formation. I watched Wolves beat us with style at Goodison last year. He has better players and will have the support of the board.

If would just be super if he had the support of the fans. I mean what the fuck. Carlo shithouse Ancelotti takes in £17million for 18 months of boring uninspiring crap (except the first few games) and now that flak has to follow onto our next manager? Bullshit. Get behind the manager, get behind the team.

Waaaaa its all Bills fault.

That's why you generate sites like this and have your 1878 Magazine whilst people like me are mere posters with vocal opinions from the keyboard. Although lately I've been ranting a lot. My apologies for that. It's been emotional!

"Mixed reaction". I think that sums it up. Initially, and had the club announced this one early on, I don't think I would have been too concerned. But the longer it went on, I started thinking of other options. I know my opinion matters little in the bigger scheme of things, the more I thought about it, I didn't fancy this one.

Great analysis. I confess to not really paying much attention to Wolves and Nuno other than their results and the feedback from mates and in-laws, who were primarily focussed on results and you have to put that in the context of where he took Wolves from.

From this article, I get the impression of another manager who will instinctively be defensive and rely on the counter. His team will sit deep and be compact when we lose possession. More of the same and no "gegenpresser", front foot approach, that I'd rather see personally.

And fluid formations; not just between games, but during them, which suggests he'll tinker a lot, which I know some don't like. I don't actually mind that, it's reflective of the modern game.

I've said elsewhere, there might be some logic here as we have a strong South American contingent, who he will likely be able to connect to. And then there's the Gomes link who, from what I've read here, might be a player that suits his approach. Can he get a tune out of his obvious talent in a system that suits him?

Like many, not my preference, but if he gets appointed, I'm behind him, I'll support him and give him the chance he deserves for taking the job.

I don't think it's been mentioned yet, as everyone is focussed on players like Neves. If this happens, I wouldn't be surprised to see Coady follow. He's been his captain and leader.

The whole thing stinks of incompetence, mess and muddle. What a sorry outfit Everton has become.

NES will have soothed Moshiri brow by saying he can turn one of the worst EFC teams ever into Euro competitors. NES is wrong and he probably knows it, but he'll be on a huge wage and won't care as he watches the team drift like he hid at Wolves.

However, didn't Wolves also endure a longer season than most in 2019-20 having started the qualifying rounds of the Europa League in July 19 and finishing their European campaign in August 20, resulting in a lack of a proper pre-season with the 2020-21 season starting last September. Maybe just a factor in last season's performances

I'm only really interested in the Everton team, but I'm aware that the greater the number of people involved in choosing and selling players, the more dysfunctional it will be for everybody - not exactly what is required to get the ball rolling on the road to success.

The link below is a piece exploring the influence of Mendes at Wolves from four years ago.

Jorge Mendes

Interesting report something like what I thought was the background. Did think that Nuno would suit Bill though. Maybe he is a compromise candidate. Obviously the list of candidates wasn't large and pressure was on time wise, as Lyndon said. Think the confrontation is slightly exaggerated. Brands I thought was as describe, but his triple promotion changed my opinion. He appears more Boardroom than on the ground as a Director of Football. I think Brands would support the Nuno candidature.

Never mind, just saw a rumour (attr. Star) that we may wish to re-sign Vlasic. Wouldn't that be dynamic?

I must admit Nuno was not my favoured choice, but while I am not exactly over the moon, I am neither too dismayed either, and my toys and dummy will stay well and truly in the pram, until he proves otherwise. Then again, there maybe copious amounts of egg on several TW'ers chins, if it 'backfires' and he is a resounding success!

Seems to me that Nuno is the vanilla option, the choice that is not divisive as some of the names on the list but one that is not going to get our pulses racing. However I think he is a choice we can all get behind a give a fair crack of the whip to.

Remains to be seen if there is going to be a massive back room clear out and what his connection with Mendes is. Would be a shame if Dunc was sidelined but perhaps this is what we need at the present time.

I'm wondering what our obsession is with defenders as our managers, I think something like 9 out of the last 10 have been defenders the exception being DF. I don't wish to be a Jonah but the last goalkeeper to manager us was Mike Walker.

Fact is, we are not a top club who is gonna hire one of the best about. And as shown with Ancelotti, that approach is not really going to take get us there.

For the past 7 seasons, we have an average finish of 10th, so aspirations of Champions League qualification are far away nothing more than fantasy. Leicester have been brilliant, and have failed the qualify for the Champions League. It's a long process.

Wolves lost 3 key players last season in Jota, Jimenez and Doherty. While Traore wasn't fit at the start, Moutinho a year older and much slower, and also their keeper much less reliable than he had been. So there were contributing factors to their poor season.

Before that they had been decent. A little over rated I always thought, and issues like being slow starters were evident. But as they get a foothold in games, they did play some decent stuff.

Hopefully he doesn't focus his transfer dealings on just his for players such as Neto, Neves, Doherty as I don't see us getting value for money there. Neto would be an interesting option, but a fee of 40+ million is being suggested and that is excessive.

I'm not overcome with joy, but then again, as Lyndon says we've tried all the 'types' and they've all failed. So hopefully this underwhelming appointment can provide the improvement we so need.

Much of the pessimism expressed over Nuno's impending hiring is focused on last season's performance, but I think it's worth pointing out that Nuno is Wolves' best manager since they were the top club in England under Stan Cullis in the late 1950's. In fact, Nuno's winning percentage at Wolves was well over 50% at before last season, and even with that miserable nine months figured in, he still left the club at 47.7% -- better even than Cullis. This guy knows how to win games.

And he wants the job, which Galtier apparently didn't. You made a great case for Galtier, Lyndon, after we contacted him. But if the multiple reports are true that he's joining Nice, then it's clear that he's thoroughly comfortable in Ligue 1 after 12 years there, and simply wasn't interested in stepping up and out. So be it.

Nuno needs our backing as he is coming to the most dysfunctional club in the EPL.

Good luck to you Nuno ( if its you ) you'll bloody need it !!!

I think there is more to him than we saw last season. I don't think it sensible to judge anyone on last season and let's not forget that in the previous two he was much better than anything we had to offer.
Also, Let's not forget the size of the the task facing a new manager. Ancelotti had a good look and walked away as it was too much for him.

Maybe we need a couple of years stability and foundation before we attract the exciting manager we all crave.

I agree with what you've said, although maybe a little harsh on Sigi this season, he's had a go and I think sadly this season his age has caught up with him.

Iwobi and Gomez?

The military have a phrase that describes those two, "LMF" Lack of Moral Fibre, what a pair of timid shirkers.

Probably the Yankee version the same thing.

Certainly not Lean Mean & Fighting, that's for sure.

The bit about the boardroom pulling in different directions is disturbing, but unsurprising. The bit about Nuno being authoritarian and prickly gives me hope that he can get something out of our players where too many others have recently failed.

I'm willing to give him a pass on Wolves being shite last season, it was an anomalous season in a lot of ways. If he's a bad appointment because of last season then it surely follows that Moyes would be a great appointment?

Good luck, Nuno.

Several news stories say Palace came in for him the minute Wolves cut him loose... and that the breakdown was about backroom staff, not player signing budgets. Nuno wanted to bring his entire Wolves staff with him to Palace, and Palace balked at that.

Other reports say Everton's interest in Nuno cooled his interest in Palace immediately. Which seems natural, because we're the better club and the better job for him.

I think we held initial talks with NES and wasn't 100%. He also held talks with CP who did put an offer in front of him which Nuno was close to accepting. Everton went back in once they realised their other shortlisted options either not interested or not suitable. I think once it became clear that Moyes was committing to WHU they moved quickly and secure his services. My take is also that the shortlist would realistically have been NES, Howe, Benitez and Moyes. I'm not convinced the likes of Galtier was seriously considered - discussed perhaps but nothing more. Like I say, just my version and like with Spurs/Conte this isn't done yet so let's wait and see.

Perhaps you should throw your hat into the ring for our managers position ? You would certainly unite the TW fan base.

Of the managers who are supposed to be on the shortist (the long one!), who knows who else is on it who is the slightest bit interested in coming to Everton?

The Lille manager, Galtier, seems to be a popular choice but hasn't he an agreement in place already? I think there also a number of top managers, who'd look at Everton and think "No bloody chance, mate!" Whether the board is a divided, argumentative basket case, I don't know but I think Kenwright has had too much influence over Moshiri.

I think (hope!) Moshiri has learnt a very expensive lesson. Now Brands appears to have a stronger position on the Board and he's having a say on who we hire as manager. Whoever is likely to come, Moyes, Benitez maybe Martinez? (Decent managers, I suppose, but all carrying baggage.)

Santo has had 3 excellent seasons out of 4 in the English leagues and there do seem to be reasons for a poor 2020-21 season.

Anyway, it seems to me that the problems in the club are more of a shackle to us moving onwards and upwards, not the choice of Santo if he is appointed. We've got a number of the first-team squad who are not good enough, not interested enough, or both.

Brands has a massive job on his hands to flog or get rid of any old way possible, before we can bring in players who he wants. I think Ben Godfrey is a good example of a top-quality, young player and we need more of his quality. Iwobi hasn't shown that quality and maybe won't ever.

But this is what the new manager will have to work with and hopefully, will work with the quality young players we hope Brands can bring in.

Santo has proved in three seasons out of four that he can get a team to play attractive, effective football; so, if he's the one chosen, I'd be relieved to see him rather than, Benitez, Martinez, Moyes, or even Ferguson, who I hope would go out and prove himself as a manager first, then come back as an applicant for the job.

My own feeling is that we have a weak squad with many players not willing nor able to put in the required level of intensity. My prediction is another catastrophe by the end of next season with Everton in trouble close to the basement. The real frightener is that we seem out of the running in trying to attract the standard of player that we need to buy.

I was pleased with the appointments of Moyes, Koeman and Ancelotti. I was disappointed with the selection of Martinez, Allardyce and Silva. So my judgment on these things does not stand much scrutiny.

I have no control over the managerial choice of our directors. The only decision I need to make is whether to renew my season ticket in the light of that choice. One or two of the names bandied around made me question whether I would do that, but I will if it is Nuno and will look forward to seeing how he shapes up.

What on earth is behind the wasting of money to the extent Mosh and his backer have literally blown it away on Everton ?

Questions should be asked in the House !

The players seemed to improve very little during Carlo's reign, perhaps apart from Calvert-Lewin, which may have happened naturally anyway. I had hoped for more individually and collectively from what I still believe is an underperforming group.

Nuno is still young and the majority of his time at Wolves was very good. Fingers crossed this time for a 10-year manager who galvanises and inspires the players and fans. It seems sometimes these things are just a fluke: right man, right time. As always, they'll have my full support. Seems counter-productive to be on the manager's back from Day 1.

He can use his Portuguese to translate “sling yer hook” to Bernard and Gomes

This won't end well.

Martinez - would have won something with Moshiri level spending on the side that finished 5th. But all the faults you describe would have seen him sacked at some point. I think he's matured since to be fair to the guy.

Koeman - had a decent side that could have kicked on if we'd have properly replaced Lukaku and hadn't had that ridiculous summer of hoovering up average players for big money and everyone bought their favourite number 10. His heart was never really in it - but that was the point you could see him realise Everton were a shambles and it was all a complete waste of his time.

Silva - built a side that was going places and then lost Zouma and Gueye, failed to sign Zaha and then Gomes and Gbamin got long term injuries. Could well still be a moderately successful manager for us (best of the rest again) but for the bad run of luck.

Ancelotti - great start, then Rodriguez gets exposed as a defensive liability and season falls apart because, when injuries hit, we were still reliant on the patched up side that got Silva sacked. He also obviously lost faith in the squad, how the club was being run and had some pretty awful personal circumstances.

Post Martinez the common theme is abject failure to build the first team and squad properly - because since we've had money we've forgotten the sound principles of getting the right profile in adopted by Moyes and Martinez when money was tight (eg often young, always good value and with something to prove).

More sleepless nights.

More sleepless nights.

I also expect some stylish possession based football with a few explosive dribbler / playmakers behind DCL and good width provided by our wing backs.

And I expect us to be in serious contention for the Europa league places - which I want because we can win that trophy.

But unless the new manager (whoever he is) also has £250 to £500m to spend this summer we won't be getting in the top 4.

The tactics will be the same as Ancelotti's, with being difficult to beat a priority and counter-attacking a bonus. It will be all about midtable Premier League survival with hopefully a European spot.

If Nuno is the new manager, it will be the same, with the addition of a 'management by control' policy regarding players. A bit like Moyes, rather than laissez-faire Ancelotti – as Lyndon rightly described him.

.

Interesting that it is thought Mendes involvement is the NES block. I doubt this it more likely to be backroom positions. Mendes connection to NES was always going to throw up such stories.

I'd expect Moshiri to allow a new manager to employ the coaching team of his choice, and nobody else's, including Brands's.

I'd hope that the manger is wholly accountable to Brands, and Brands to the board (even though he's bizarrely part of it!).

Brands, not Mendes or any other agent, should deal with transfers and football philosophy, a philosophy he and the manager equally share.

Who knows, but joined up thinking outside of charitable efforts may just improve the football team.

Logical, but with our board, as Luke said to Yoda “You ask the impossible”

ps: When are you coming to Kansas City? The BBQ is getting cold waiting on you, Dale and Gaynesy!