Benitez sacked by Everton

Goodbye Agent Benitez, we hardly knew you.

Good, but what a joke we let him fall out with and sell Digne two days before sacking him, and spend £30m on two untested full backs. What a shambles of a club.

I was happy Benitez was hired, and was happy too give him time. But his team selections and tactics lately have been crazy, so sacking him was expected. We need Duncan now till the end of the season.

Talk of Bilic coming in. Rafa is gone.

He was worse than I expected and I didn’t even want him. Bizarre formations, peculiar selections. Boring defensive football that didn’t even produce clean sheets. The tactic seemed to be kick it down field and hopefully someone will produce individual magic.

With that said, Keane nice guy but he’s too error prone. Coleman is past it. Holgate is crap. Godfrey needs work. Mina needs limb transplants. We’ve two midfielders who are inconsistent and the rest are useless. The forward area and wings are the one reasonably good area we have. But they need cohesion. So good luck to Dunc and anyone else.

Think the site may be going into meltdown Paul. Only click submit once.

What a shambles but so very glad if he's sacked before the next game BUT the circus is still in town. Many on here will want Ferguson as per usual, some are already asking for Man Utds ex player, the brillo pad wearing Wayne Rooney, ffs why ? I'm just dreading the next appointment because we keep getting it so badly wrong.

Paul, same here. I thought he was exactly what we needed, a hard bastard who would finally sort out the mess and at least stabilise us. How wrong could I have been? His tactics and team selections have been mind boggling at best and disastrous in the main.

Karl

Bilic? That vulture circling again trying to squeeze some more cash out of us? He would get us relegated as he’d turn our shambles defense into no defense at all

Very good news.

Please, not Bilic. God I despair if he's hired next.

Just ride out Dunc for the season. Then reassess or if Dunc proves himself hire.

It's still mind-numbingly baffling we hired a man from Liverpool who called us a small club. I can't, for the life of me, figure out the logic.

Feeling like a dirty crack whore is over, thank God.

Marcel brands to be re-instated with new forward thinking modern coach big dunc, Rooney, potter and the current Danish coach leading contenders. Digne has a 30 day buy back clause that is likely to be activated...very much in the same way unsworth once returned from villa before him!

So wanted him to be a success. No unemployed managers excite me. Not sure where we turn. Can't be Rooney. That won't go down well. Bilic would be a mistake I think too.

If Billic comes in then I’m done with this club. We just don’t learn do we ffs

And so off we go with another roll of the dice. All we need is a miracle worker. He will need to do better than Martinez, Koeman, Allardyce, Silva, Ancelotti and Benitez all of whom were apparently ill equipped and unsuitable. Whoever it is must deliver an early, sustained improvement in results or he will be added to the growing list of failures.

Slavan fucking Bilic. Don’t make me laugh. Another of the game’s parasites

The Mirror are saying Moshiri and Usmanov still need convincing about the need to sack Benitez.

Not sure the story is believable as it claims Moshiri and Usmanov "are the only executive members of the club’s hierarchy who wanted Benitez in the first place."

Good riddance, never wanted him in charge of our club.
Lets hope we get the next one right.

Bilic would actually be the worst of the Pulis, Pardew, Hughes crew.

Don't be to quick to dismiss Rooney...working wonders at derby with massive points deduction team performing admirably he said he has learnt from SAF, mourinho,Capello, van Gaal and clearly articulated what he has learnt good and bad from each he maybe needs one more year at derby but I think there could be something in this.

What a mess!!

Ferguson/Unsworth will get the interim gig but very risky to give the whole season in this situation.

Niko Kovac looks the obvious choice to me. Wouldn’t be surprised if Nuno is considered again.

I wanted Potter last summer but why on earth would he come here now. A poisoned chalice if ever there were one.

Can we please stop with the Rooney and Ferguson dream team nonsense.

Danish coach mentioned as well, got them to semis of the euro playing attacking football beating Russia 4-1. No doubt being Danish and brands been dutch, he was probably keen on him before the club went for rafa.

Graham Potter would be nice...

Graham Potter would be nice...

They should have just listened to Bill Kenwright, Michael, because he’s the one who knows what Evertonians really want.

I genuinely hope that Usmanov is here for the real estate, otherwise it wouldn’t surprise me if he cut his losses, such is the shambolic job his accountant has done, since he got involved with Kenwright, and Everton.

Not until Watford look like catching us.
Thing is we look like catching them.

Andrew@23 would it help if the dream team was a quadruple with Tony Hibbert and John Oster joining?

Can we pay Rafa's Compo over a five year period without interest ?

You have to laugh. It is reported that the ' Board of Everton' are calling a emergency meeting to tell Moshiri that Benitez has to go. They haven't a clue and Moshiri hasn't a clue. . There will be booze provided at the Emergency Board Meeting to celebrate, no bring your own.

Duncan will be appointed as caretaker Manager and the 'so called Blue Bastards ' in the Club will rally to get to the familiar comfort zone of midtable and the usual status quo. They where never going to get relegated. The EX Head of Medical services may make a second coming. No chance of Brands returning he has been replaced by Sharpe.

Then the whole merry go round will start again. The next Manager will. be up and coming, joining a Club and the same crap show that has been going on for 27 years.

But maybe Moshiri and Usmanov may decide to hold their nerve. Kenwrights Emergency Board meeting may disappear the same as the one that disappeared thst was to be held on a Sunday after Brands departure. .

What a shit show. Easily one of Kenwrights worse productions.

Potter won't leave brighton mid season - does anyone expect brands to be rehired?

Joe @29, why not. It will please the people desperate to create the ex players retirement home

Paul Hewitt, you’ve defended him all season,but tonight you turn, what’s wrong with sticking with him?

Graham fucking potter. Do me a favour. Another no mark manager

Neil # 10, same here. Not particularly liking the man, I thought he'd at least be a safe pair of hands, but he has let us down badly.

There was a bright start, and the signings of Gray and Townsend proved inspiring, but the rot set in and he seemed unable to turn things around.

He leaves a great deal of chaos behind him, and takes with him the scalps of a doctor, a director of football and an above-average full back. And he leaves us once again wondering when will this club regain some stability, let alone win anything.

Can we give it up on the Hibbert, Osman, Arteta money, Riquelme spotting jokes, there not in the least bit amusing.
Not hopeful,..but heh ho

Moshiri is the real problem and while he owns the club don’t expect anything to change.He knows nothing about football and is surrounded by people who know nothing.So how can things improve?His only interest is in Bramley Moor Dock,
Names will come and go but until we are owned by people with experience of running a sports business in a potentially lucrative market,putting the right people in the right jobs etc.. we will just roll on in the same old way.
The players however have to take responsibility for their part in our present plight.They are not as bad a team as the present position suggests.So they are not delivering the goods for whatever reason.
I too am dreading the next managerial appointment.Am hearing Ferguson,Rooney,Bilic,and so on.If this is the case God help us,the championship beckons !

I really don't know the answer and neither do the mob baying for Benitez to go but if the reports of Slaven Bilic are correct we should seriously be worried.

Those advocating Rooney do we really want or need a drunken womaniser with no principles leading the dressing room.

Potter is unrealistic, we should have got Conte when he was available and please no previous failed managers like MArtinez or Silva.

My outside hope is a tilt at MAncini but I cant see him wanting to take up the poison chalice.

Bilic was clueless at WBA when they went down, he reminded me of Bobby Brown shoes in his last games for us, but worse.

A lesson for Moshiri... a divisive appointment can be divisive. Not a person he really should have needed to learn as it was pretty obvious.

Ironically, I think some of the activism regarding Benitez actually helped get him appointed. Right minded Evertonians didn't agree with the 'we know where you live" bedsheet stunt at the man's home. It gave him some kind of support from Evertonians.

Personally I always figured out would go this way. Even in the good early days it was obvious that when a poor run came (and they always come) that he wasn't going to be given leeway by the fans. And so it proved. Things got toxic pretty quickly.

I have to say, I didn't think he'd be quite as incompetent as a manager and leader of people. Nor did I think he'd have the influence at the club that he's had.

Just an absolute mess.

We await Jimmy White with the yellow tie text reply. Fact.

We need someone to unite this fractured club, so who are some calling for?

Judas the Manc!

Brilliant!

Just glad he's going. There's still time to avoid relegation.

Jay
What’s wrong with Rooney?
The Club is overflowing with ex players
At least he would a) be the most successful of the bunch and b) the only one with the balls to attempt management

Seamus Coleman's interview directly following the game at Carrow Road speaks volumes, It's not the first time that the Irishman has questioned his teamates about their day-to-day committment and effort as I seem to remember his saying similar things under previous managers.

Seamus must know which players he is accusing and surely Duncan must know who they are too, so why isn't anybody doing anything about it and why do these same players keep getting picked if their day-to-day attitude is so wrong?

If the players can't or won't deliver out on the pitch and by the sound of it on the training ground too, they have to be dropped from first-team duties until such time as they have shown the requisite attitude. I'd rather the U23s lose fighting with every breath than have so called professionals stealing a living at our expense.

The next manager may have to be an actual magician, as it seems nothing any manager tries can get through to some or even most of the current squad.

Totally agree Paul. I think he was the best out there available at the time but it just hasn’t worked out unfortunately. Put big dunc in charge to save us!!!!

"Those advocating Rooney do we really want or need a drunken womaniser with no principles leading the dressing room."

You're right. We should get a sober one.

Barry

I wonder who he’s talking about specifically? Keane was awful but doesn’t strike me as a slacker. JJK is apparently the hardest worker in training. Gordon and Gray may or may not train well but they’re good in games. I’m thinking the likes of Gomes always with a jacket and gloves in training pictures and DCL with his “fashion” shoots but then he’s skying penalties and poncing around with a big smile on his face.

As for the board — who’s that? Kenshite and his stooges DBB and Sharp? No wonder Mosh doesn’t listen to them

How would you keep a manager who keeps picking Rondon, unbelievable

Does this mean Sean Longstaff won't be coming ?

Does it mean the usual suspects will be staying ?

Does it mean the retirement home for ex evertonians remains in business ?

Does it mean BK stays ?

Does it mean we won't be relegated ?

LOL. Will.

Can’t wait for the book; Bill Kenwright, the Man Who Took Everton Down.
Screwed over his partners, lied about ground moves, and spent 20 years “looking for an investor” just so he could spend their money and become the undisputed greatest Evertonian ever. Meanwhile he remortgaged his house to save Goodison Park, the only football ground in the country to fail a safety certificate that has also held a World Cup Semi Final. At the same time he turned EFC into the most passive, non-descript, pitiful, happy clapper make-weight football club in the Premier League that attached more credence to being a charity, a value passed on to the coaching and playing staff, than an actual winning team. In fact, winning was almost an embarrassment for Everton, or rather Blue Bill as he had to face to down his peers in their respective Directors boxes, and especially those of the newly crowned Sky 6.
If you can’t see fit to do everything in your power to oust this parasite and his minions immediately then shame on you; you do not understand Everton Football Club and are not an Evertonian, because this will only get worse.

Actually, Kieran, I'll have redact my previous post as the video being shown was of Coleman but he wasn't wearing a SportPesa jersey so it must have been from a while ago – apologies all round, that's what happens when you only listen to the audio without paying attention to the screen. I dislike Twitter for putting up old stuff when you least expect it.

The worst part for me is that all the wages the club saved by offloading James, Bernard, Walcott etc will be going right into his pocket for compo. I get why people don't like Kenwright but this Moshiri guy is from another planet.

Barry #46, I can't find Seamus' comments anywhere... can you post a link?

Mike. I wouldn’t bother. Him or jags hw w been wheeled out saying the same thing for five years. Means f all just words

David, Moshiri wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for Kenwrights utter incompetence, arrogance and greed. How do people not understand this - he was quite clear in his previous statements regarding wanting an INVESTOR not a takeover and sale. Wake up for fucks sake. Moshiri has made terrible decisions but one man remains constant and is still the Chairman (advisor?), which is a not a figurehead position.

I admit I thought Benitez might be the bitter pill we’d have to swallow to sort out the mess. But please God, if he has to go, not Bilic, no, no, no, never on a million years.

Mike @56
May I refer you to my post @ 54, I have resigned my position as poster of news and I will endevour to do better in the future, lessons have been learned as I uphold accuracy as being paramount in my future scribllings.

No to Bilic, Rooney, DF, et al. As said it earlier, Paolo Fonseca and Lucien Favre, among others, are available.

Dan # 14. Remember Klopp was unemployed when RS got him?

Barry 60

No. We need your news stories. The odd bit of fake news is no biggie. Look at Rupert Murdoch!

Bilic out!

A) He should never have been given the job.

B) should’ve been given the bullet after the Watford game

So back to square one is it? Duncan will get us firing on two cylinders for a couple of games before we are found out and the players down tools once again. Then a new manager comes a the sabotage routine starts all over.

We are a club with a sickness running right through it.

Barry #60, no problem, mate. You're not the first here to win the Foolitzer Prize for a news posting mistake. Won a couple of those myself over the years.

“Una cerveza por favor”
Be professional about it and if you drop your tray, go and analyze the mistakes made by the bar staff!
While you are there, why don’t transfer our master chef to the chippie down the road.

Soren, the RS are the luckiest football club in history (I’ll debate that with anyone). things like that don’t happen for us. But to their credit, they also have a ruthless, winning mentality, a smidgen of which would go some way to saving Everton’s current predicament. The situation is so laughably bad, it’s incredible and like I and many have said it’s been a long time coming. Even Moyes could see that.

Nick 53, I totally agree with every word. Kenwright out!! And he can take his mate and his hangers on with him.

Ding dong the witch is dead.

He's gone!

good night all... it's all a dream

I've just got in after a 6.30am start. Think it's easier to get to lands end than Norwich. However! I have always said a manager needs 2 seasons but I also said if he persists with rondon it will get him the sack and so it will be. He was arrogant enough to think that Rondon could play against lowly norwich and he could prove us all wrong but instead he was wrong and 2 down was too big a ĺead to claw back. Had enough of him now and his bs speak after a match. He makes the could ups but the player must improve. I was sitting amongst norwich city season ticket holders and trust me it was all of their birthdays I one. They could not believe how shit we were in the first half and were gushing about how it was their best performance this season. Give me strength!

Just back from the Norwich horror show and was hoping Benitez would be gone before I got home. Surely he cannot survive this.

Roberto’s road ran out, then I was glad to see the back of Koeman, delighted to wave goodbye to Big Sam, sad to see Silva go, felt a bit betrayed and hurt by Carlo, but even though I was willing to give him a chance when he was appointed, dancing a jig with a glass of Jameson’s tonight.

Dunc til May.

Bill#73.
Bill, don't worry mate he's gone. ;-)

Nick. The difference is they have professionals in charge of hiring whereas our board just pull a random name out of the hat!
When they saw Woy didn't produce in his first 2 months they sacked him and went for Klopp which I'm sure they had an idea what they were getting.

The only other rumour l heared was that Moshiri wants to bring in another DoF, some guy called Frank Drebin.

Good riddance ya fuckwit.

Why Potter?
Brighton have been hovering relegation a couple of seasons ago.
Was he's job on the line? NO. Because there was no pressure, because Brighton are happy for survival, so over time without any pressure, he was allowed to build a decent, I repeat a decent team, without the players with MASSIVE ego's. So Brighton in my opinion try and break the glass ceiling with their Lallana's and Wellbecks etc. who have nothing to lose.
Potter is a big no no for me.

Can we bring James, Digne and Brands back now?

On the plus side the transfer is still open to offload Rondon.

Give it to Dunc. This is a set of no mark players and it may take an outsider a few months to separate the wheat, DF however knows who the shithouses are and where the bodies are buried, and can hit the ground running.

I'd give him the job on a permanent basis, how much worse can he be than Rafa?

David... "how much worse can he be than Rafa?"

A guy with one career win as a manager at any level, taking over in the middle of a transfer window?

I'm afraid you're going to get an answer to your question.

Disingenuous Mike.

Since his 3 game epiphany, during which he didn't lose against top class opposition.. he's learnt from one of the greatest managers of the modern era.

The assumption that he will be worse than the absolute shit show we've just witnessed is navel gazing.

How about Jim Beglin?

He watches us enough and has plenty to say about us, always truthful and never a veiled comment. He could have Souness as his assistant?

Clearly Usmanov has a liking for LFC and probably asked Rafa who should replace him.

Sounds bad that Mike, until you look that he got the win against Chelsea, and two draws against utd and Arsenal, only penalties cost him a cup victory.

It will certainly get the fans onside, and in the short term, might just get us some results, to stop the rot.

Rooney, who some have called for will not be risked, nor would he come, until his job is done at Derby, cannot see another a manager being rushed in, which leaves Ferguson, to try and drag us out of the shit again, this time I think he will get more than a handful of games.

Calls for Lampard etc might work, but for now I would go safety first with Ferguson.

Mine, what is Rafa doing right that Duncan could be worse than?

He's alienated fans, players. And the results are as bad as they possibly could be.

If all Duncan did was not piss off everyone then he'd be a step up.

Keane can’t play again for Everton. He’s a soft arse and other teams know it.

Big dunc? Then what?

I am seriously tired of the same crap year in year out! I wanted rafa to succeed and see the season out at least! No to potter, no to rooney. Who? Why come too Everton?

Nothing will change even if rafa goes! We won't be relegated, perhaps? Still be the same culture at the club! Actually relegation may have changed things at the top. We have a mid table squad and that's it! Money will be tight so selection of next manager has to motivate over spending.

The players have let rafa down by his loyalty to them. How can they be called professionals? Work rate matters more than anything and well you got your manager sacked! (Not confirmed yet) No accountability!!

This club is draining emotionally to support and getting more difficult to motivate to think we can actually go forward. Rafa, it's not all your fault and previous managers will testify. Stubbornness in faith of certain players you have had is why it's over.

If big dunc comes in? Good luck to him but God knows where we go from here? Let's not to go other clubs for their manager mid season. Next manager must have a minimum of two years even if we go down. Changing the mentality, culture, and style of play takes years! No one succeeds in months!!

Night all.

Mike 83, I usually like your viewpoint but not this time. Carlo was vilified in certain quarters for (after sorting out the defence) apparently telling pretty much this same team to “just play “. They played their way to what in the end turned out to be a disappointing 59 points. Benitez has detailed an “improved” squad into the worst run of results since, when? Did Mike Walker do any worse in 93/94?

If the team was randomly picked out a hat managerless they’d have achieved better results than under Rafa. I’d bet my bottom dollar Dunc will improve the situation. Hopefully by enough to avoid the drop.

Catch a fucking grip Ian.

Rafa was a car crash. An arrogant disaster.

The players let "rafa" down. Utter shite.

You don't succeed in months but you can certainly fail in months.

Benitez short reign has had not a single passable element. Completely unacceptable.

I don't know when the last few percent of our support will realise that we ARE going down on current form. It's not close - we're the worst team in the league over a sustained period. We have to change something or we go down.

Short termism will do right now. Anything else is sitting on the Titanic making plans for the next craft rather than getting the lifeboats out.

OK, let me put it this way.

Lots of folks here at TW like to play the negative comparison game when we acquire players. I saw it this week with El Ghazi, and before that with Townsend and Gray -- "he can't get a game at _____, so why do we want him?"

So I'll pose the question here. What other professional football club in any league anywhere has ever tried to hire Duncan Ferguson as their manager? When has he ever been considered a realistic candidate for any managerial job at any level? Who else would hire him now? Nobody.

Yeah, I know, the last five experienced managers we've hired have all been various levels of disasters... but does that mean we should turn to a amateur? Talk about desperation.

Sure, he did well in an interim role that one time, and who knows, maybe he will string a couple of wins in an interim role now, enough to get us out of trouble. Lots of times an inspirational, temporary change can do that.

But actually getting the job for the rest of the season? Based on panic and "he can't be any worse"? Who says?

Listen, if he gets the gig, I'd love nothing more than to be proven wrong. Maybe there is a footballing brain there that nobody noticed before, a smart tactician and an inspirational leader of men. Maybe he's a managerial rose, just waiting to bloom with the right kind of fertilizer (and god knows we have enough of that!), and he'll carry us up to 10th place by May and establish himself in the job.

But I don't think so.

I predict that the combination of the shakeup and the returning healthy regulars could prove enough to shove us a couple places back up the table in the next few games.

In the long term, however, I think it could be a disaster.

Go ahead, Duncan. Make me look foolish. I will be absolutely ecstatic if I turn out to be an idiot here. I will happily wear the dunce cap and even do a dance in it.

It'll beat the hell out of joining Rob Halligan next fall for an away game at Preston or QPR.

Johnny Bostik and his Assistant Aral Dite will get the pieces of this shattered Club back together in order, and provide stability for years to come ! :-)

John #90, I hold no brief at all for Rafa. I didn't want him to start with, and he thoroughly pissed me off by running James off right after the Siggy disaster, leaving us with a bomb crater of a midfield. I just think we need a real manager.

Like I said, I'll be thoroughly delighted if Duncan proves me wrong.

It's 1.30 am. Everton situation on my mind, with a couple of Brandy's and San Miguel.
The gypsy in me, being a blues, 64 years of age.
Jose Mourinho never reached the targets, the top four clubs, they demanded. He still got to cup finals, runners up in the premier league.
In my opinion Mourinho is our perfect match for him and Everton Football Club.

Well, the expected departure of Benitez is finally here, after a reversion to an inflexible, badly composed, and dreadful performance of the archaic 4-4-2.

I watched the game via live stream, and I couldn't believe the dross that Benitez had created, and the players fulfilled.

Going thru the team sheet, post match, the only two players who rated better than 5.5 were Gray and Richi. The rest just weren't effective at all, and unfortunately, I'd include Gordon in that.

BUT, this was not helped, by the constant idea to sit deep, and look for counter attacks all the time; or rather today, look for the chance to hoof a ball up to Rondon (A genuine tryer, but for the Love of God, why?) and an unfit DCL, who curiously looked detached from the game?

Our midfield, as it was, wasn't overrun, it was simply bypassed, and that lead to our defence being exposed, over, and over, and over again...

I'm glad Benitez is going, and he really should have been 'put on notice' after the Watford game, and gone after the dire Brentford and subsequent derby non-performances.

Initially divisive, then seen as a potential magician with Gray and Townsend, and the points (NB Not performances) up until the Utd game; and then it's been to hell in a handcart with 5pts from 36, and 9L, 2D and a very lucky win over a poor Arsenal, thanks to the individual skill of Richarlison, and Gray, and the profligacy of the Arsenal players.

Benitez was not what was initially written on the tin, and ultimately, between him, Moshiri and Kenwright, I fear that his reign as holed EFC below the waterline.

Thankfully, this chapter is closed.

It seems to me that the real rot sets in during the early rounds of yet another early League Cup exit...but we simply never fucking seem to learn.

Maybe look a for new Gaffer who truly values that competition and wants to see our superb but sadly long suffering supporters have their day at Wembley...whoever it is!?.

Just don't let Mosh do the hiring this time eh... clueless Tosser!.

Ciaran#91,think coleman our player was hinting the players could do better after the game yesterday? Anyway Rafa tried and didn't succeed. That's football! We move on! No manager has won anything since 1995, hopefully the next one can. It may have been a naive appointment rafa with his Liverpool connection but I thought we started the season well. Probably best man for the job at the time.

If rafa goes? On to the next manager!!! My choice is Mr Rooney, young hungry and loves the club!!

Not only is he the worst manager I have ever known at Everton (including Mike Walker), he is an evil, egotistical manipulating bastard and was totally toxic for the club. Thank god he's gone.

Ian @ 99, you unwavering support for Benitez continues. I will let you into a little secret, He isn't worth it. The world's greatest coach in his head and a serial loser on the pitch.

He must sound credible to some, as he managed to gain more control of the club than any manager since Moyes despite the terrible results.
He persuaded the club to exit Brands, Donachie, James and Digne while presiding over our worst ever run in the premiership - 1 win in 13 game, 6 points from 39, cup defeat to QPR and defeat to the bottom club who hadn't scored a goal in nine and a half hours.

I suppose it is a symptom of the dysfunctionality and desperation at the club that he was allowed to continue building influence and power despite diabolical performances and results.

Give the interim role to Ferguson and hire a proper DoF to manage the footballing structure with complete decision-making authority. Moshiri can't keep running this club like a half interested hobby as he has made mistake after mistake. Also, can someone delete Jim fucking White from his contact list.

Well that was a journey and a half! We landed at the Rocket about 10.20, and walked down to the 5ways pub for a pint or four. During the journey home there were rumours via WhatsApp that Benitez had been sacked, though nothing conclusive, and to date, still nothing conclusive, although it does look as though he has gone, god willing!

I’m convinced he’s been here just to take the piss out of us. The game at Brentford, losing with a few minutes to go, three forwards on the bench and doesn’t make one single substitution, leaving donkey Rondon to try and rescue, in the end, an impossible point. He got lucky at Chelsea because he had to play the kids, who fought magnificently to gain an un-expected draw. You might think why lucky, but at the end of the night Chelsea had missed a few sitters, and we had Pickford to thank for some crucial saves, to earn that point.

Against Brighton, Benitez simply cut off his nose to spite his face. No manager would have done what he did, playing a right back at left back, leaving a full French international left back on the bench because of a bust up. You either play him or totally disregard him, but don’t name him as sub with no intention whatsoever of putting him on.

Then today, well we thought a 4-4-2 formation, with DCL Up front along with the donkey would create enough problems for a team leaking goals like a sieve, would be enough to gain three points. No chance, it was still a two man midfield, a total lack of pressing by DCL and the donkey, and our own back four leaking goals like a sieve. The two substitutions we made were probably the right ones, Richarlison ran his bollocks off, took a few knocks and scored a worldie. We still had one sub left, Anthony Gordon was getting nothing off the officials down our right, right in front of us, so why didn’t Benitez change it and put EL Ghazi on? Nah, no way, he’s just taking the piss, and hopefully all these rumours about him being sacked will become conclusive in the next few hours.

Still, we had an enjoyable few pints in the Fiveways, before I put my life on the line and phoned the missus at 12.15 to come and pick me up. It’s taken me nearly two hours, and a can or two at home, to type this. Fuming is nowhere near an expletive of how I feel right now. Benitez was never the right appointment for us, and the sooner he is gone the better.

For now let's give it to a partnership of Duncan and Unsworth until the end of the season. They should be able to keep us up even if we finish 4th to bottom. Most managers we should be looking at will probably need to finish their season off and we could use the time to get our house in order and work out in a footballing sense what direction we want to go in.

Then pick a manager that will fit into what ever footballing direction the club decides to go down. At the moment we are like headless chooks running around trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. We have no style of play and nor is the club known for a style of play. We have players who never know what their roles in the team are and seem to be unmotivated or disillusioned.

Young players don’t seem to have a pathway to the first team, and that's been the last 4 managers because they keep thinking to keep their jobs they would be better of having seasoned so called professionals instead of putting there faith in the youngsters. As a club we no longer provide a fear factor in other teams anymore. Teams now lift when they play Everton as we are now classed as a ring in win on the calendar.

To me we should be looking at a hungry up and coming Germain coaches. I was watching a German league review show and was so impressed when they were interviewing the managers. They all talked about how their teams had improved and how that came about by having a clear direction from youth to first team and transfer policies of only buying players if they are better than the player they have and are of a young age. You only have to look at how many young players go there and become good players.

Funny how some words stick in your mind. Jamie Carragher on Sky said during the summer that Everton should hire Benitez and later when things started to slide said Moshiri hasn't a clue. Well Jamie, he hired your choice so who is it that hasn't a clue?

Personally I'm glad to say goodbye he is a managerial dinosaur. Even when we won a few games early on, we still played lousy, just scored some good goals. Norwich outplayed us for long spells at Goodison, so we've had no champagne football all season.

I'd like a young English manager if there is one. I find it hard to understand Benitez when he speaks what chance for a young man from another country who maybe struggles with his English. Enough of these foreign managers, let's have a home-grown one.

Mike, you were wrong in recent days when you wrote that FSW would not be sacked and you will be wrong again with your dismal assessment of Duncan Ferguson. He has not been considered for other managerial jobs because he is an Everton man and is not interested in coaching elsewhere. When he came back to Everton he coached for free. He is passionate about the club and he can inspire the ones who really want to be here. He has worked under a string of managers at Everton and he has seen what works and what fails. He has a big heart and he is also tough as nails. It was reported that he turned down an offer to be an assistant to Carlo at Real Madrid. He deserves an extended run this time and not just four games.

Mike Gaynes, you and I share the same opinion of Ferguson. He's never shown an ounce of ambition to develop from what's been given to him under Kenwright, for years and years. Him becoming manager for even the rest of this season would demand accountability from him, and accountability to the serial skiver Ferguson is anathema. His dedication to Everton is massively outweighed by his dedication to his precious pigeon loft, which needs a steady guaranteed significant income to maintain, a cone placer's being very adequate.

People showing faith in the shyster are away with the birds to me, never to come home though.

The same goes for Unsworth and the rest of the Kenwright acolytes infesting Finch Farm. Our culture is ROTTEN to the core and it's been created, knowingly or not, by Kenwright and his desperate band of crawlers who go on and on and on about how much they "get" Everton, the worst performing, by a massive distance, of the six chosen few who participated in the very creation of the Premier League thirty fucking years ago.

Sack the manger, again? Yeah right, but who on Earth will be able or allowed to cauterise the rampant disease throughout the club?

Don/Mike

That’s my worry about Dunc. He’s never managed a team at any level (senior, junior) other than a few games as interim. He’s 50 odd now. Do we want to roll the dice? in contrast someone like Stuart McCall another Scot who scored in a cup final and does have pedigree as a manager isn’t even under consideration. Why? Cause we say “well he just did well at Motherwell,” which is a legitimate point. But Dunc has no pedigree anywhere. He’s spent more time in jail than he has calling the shots from the bench. Remember when we drew under him with might Arsenal, who was their boss? Freddie Ljunberg. Anyone see him being linked with that job on a permanent basis? No. yes maybe Dunc can do a Kevin Keegan heart on sleeve routine for a week or two but then what? He will likely go the way of Jimmy Gabriel and Dave Watson or dare I say Colin Harvey. We need a proper manager not just some old fucker who wed like to have a beer with.

The only flag has been raised by the Mirror, if Moshiri doesn't want Benitez to go, what then? What if Moshiri says no to the board and backs the manager?
What if Moshiri says I am not giving out another 5/10/20 Million as a payout, he stays?

There was a time where I thought the injuries gave a degree of leeway, but these past two matches in the PL have just proved that he isn’t up to the job.

Rondon playing from the start was a piss take. Gordon needed to come off after an hour as he was clearly blowing. Keane has never been convincing but has gone from average to a liability.

Play to your strengths. DCL, even when obviously not match fit, is at his best when balls are got in early and he gets ahead of defenders. In a packed box he is pretty easily nullified. Doucouré has been at his best when allowed to get forward, not expected to be all over the pitch doing the work of 3 players.

Of a side note, the lad marking Gordon did an absolute number on him. Sometimes within the rules, other times stepping over the line but getting away with it. I am not sure he would have been able to physically dominate the other two wide player who were on the bench so easily.

Hard to know where to turn to from here because we are a mess.

Hopefully the compensation is not too high but that's all Moshiri's doing anyway for both bringing him in and not offering him a short-term deal.

Gomes offered little to nothing last night and Michael Keane has to be dropped because he is just plain weak. If we play like that against Villa, then another ex-Red will be laughing his head off at us.

Shambles.

Don’t think anyone can fathom why Benitez was permitted to make major buying and selling choices over the last 2 weeks.

His sacking was inevitable if he lost this game. I think a sensible owner would have made a final decision on the manager before making investments in the transfer market.

Potter’s name is getting a lot of traction, but I would like Duncan to see it through to the end of the season while we focus on bringing in an empowered DoF. Then he can lead the search from beginning to end.

Been sick in hospital for the past 5 days but not as sick a when I was woken at 5 pm our time here in Philippines to check my vital signs and saw the result on my I phone.

Got to think that we could possibly be relegated as things stand and that will probably mean the end of the stadium dream. Who in their right mind wants to build a state of the art large seater stadium for a team in the championship ?

This would be the culmination of severe mismanagement over the years since Bill took the reins but who magically found an idiot with loads of cash to back him.

The mind boggles as to how a person with huge personal wealth can throw his money into a venture and watch it disappear down a big hole called EFC. Obviously knows nothing about football and little about personalities.

Sucked in and blown out with Bill still pulling the strings !!

Just gonna eat the hospital slop served up for lunch but it probably wont make we as nauseous as the p------s running the show at our beloved club.

Agree with Steve 111. If the club is serious about improving itself, the top priority should be to find a strong experienced DoF, someone who could then lead the search for the next long-term manager, getting "his" guy into the role and some real sense of structure back in place. In the meantime, hard to see anyone but Dunc as the interim gaffer.

Christine post 108. The compensation package is loose shrapnel compared to the millions or potentially billions at stake with bmd and all the ventures that brings with it. Hotels bars infrastructure from town to the the dock and so on. Not even his bad call over the kopite waiter will jeopardise that if Moshiri thinks or is told it is under threat because of relegation. He is not a footballing man but I’m sure bk will tell him we are on the brink as he gets a proper dof and please lord a chairman.

John Hall 112

I hope you have a swift recovery mate.

Long live the DoF, the DoF is dead!

Or is he..? For those calling for a strong DoF, have a read of this from Goodison News;

Ramon Planes rumour

I wonder if we'll go for him; and, if so, will he get a carte blanche remit regarding all things football, and a written (legally binding) letter from Moshiri, saying that he and the board won't butt in his work.

As for the next manager, a media left-field choice is Shaun Dyche, and the media (Moshiri related) favourite is Paulo Fonseca?

Personally, I'd like us to try and pry away Seb Hoeneß (or Hoeness in English) from Hoffenheim. Only 39 yo, and been managing teams since 2014.

He's worked at RB Leipzip, Bayern Munich and has worked with Rangnick amongst others; and knows the RB way, and the BM way of how to do things.

He's progressive, and has got Hoffenheim to 4th in a competitive Bundesliga.

We have to sack him 1 win in 13, we are the worst team in the League. 3 defeats in 4 games against Palace, Brighton and Norwich. Conceded 8 goals in those 3 games and now we are in big danger of going down.

Whilst Moshiri is owner nothing will change. He’s the fundamental problem. We are ultimately doomed unless he sells up.

Can’t have any untried premier manager wether foreign or British for now anyway. It’s just too risky as any bedding in period will see us in the bottom 3 as we know there’s too many gobshites who couldn’t handle a relegation scrap.

Ed #105, at least I have the balls to stand up and make a prediction. Inevitably, I'm going to be wrong sometimes. (And as of this moment, I'm not wrong yet -- Moshiri hasn't made the call on Benitez.)

And regarding your comment that Ferguson is "tough as nails"... well, that hasn't worked too well this season, has it? Aside from his unquestionably blue heart, what would make Duncan better than Rafa? More tactical nous? Modern strategic sophistication? Ummm.

Kieran #107: "He’s spent more time in jail than he has calling the shots from the bench." You've touched on something I'm perfectly willing to admit... my opinion of Duncan may be colored somewhat by the fact that I despised him for so many years. I considered him an absolute embarrassment to the club as a player. Certainly he is anything but that now -- solid citizen, fine personal coach for several players -- but I guess I still have those feelings.

By the way, speaking of predictions, proper props to Graeme, who had the steel cojones to insist that we would absolutely, definitely lose at Norwich. That took guts.

And one final note for you Kenwright-haters... Brands is gone, Rafa is reportedly gone... anybody think Ferguson would know how to put across transfer business for the midfielder we so desperately need in the next couple of weeks? So that would leave our transfer biz for one guy... and one guy only... to carry out.

The players are the same, no matter which manager comes in.

We are in trouble with this squad.

What makes people even think Duncan Ferguson wants the job for any amount of time other than a stand-in few games?

If you recall it, he wasn't exactly banging the drum saying "yes I'd absolutely love to be given this job" when we appointed Ancelotti was he?

I have nothing against Duncan, but I do feel he's become another of those hangers-on at a club that has been one failed regime after another, much like David Unsworth!

Frankly I think to appoint Duncan Ferguson would be yet another easy way out (like the firing of Marcel Brands) by a shitbag clueless owner that is very quickly driving himself down the same lane Peter Johnson took before his own grim demise.

Anthony, we have a squad full of internationals. Any caretaker we bring in should be able to get a tune out of them. Rafa had just lost the dressing room.

David @ 19, we also had 33 points after 19 games last season compared to 19 points after 19 games under Benitez.

If Benitez has been given his marching orders then that is a first step in the right direction as the results he has been getting are, at the very least, unacceptable.

I can't see anybody experienced and capable leaving their present club for us in our present position or until it is decided and while I wouldn't write off Rooney I'd wait until the season is over and see how he ends up with Derby. If a full time Manager is appointed now then it will most likely be somebody currently unemployed and I wouldn't entertain any previous managers or those who have managed a club into relegation.

That just leaves a temporary appointment, possibly until season's end, unless approaches have been made in the weeks just passed, and to me that would have to be somebody from within who knows the feelings in the dressing room and at training. The difficulty then arises that the departure of Brands leaves something of a moratorium in the transfer market while the players are assessed and re-assessed by anyone coming in which might again lead to just signing players that the incoming manager trusts rather than improvements overall.

As the departing manager's last employers might have said; "We live in interesting times" which hopefully we will survive in the top division.

Danny 123, I'm with you.

With the current availability play 4-3-3 as below

Richarlison DCL Townsend(Gordon)

Doucoure Gray Allan

Godfrey Keane/Branthwaite Mina Patterson/Kenny

Pickford

Begovic, KennyPatterson (Coleman?), Mykolenko, Branthwaite/Keane Gbamin, Gomes, Gordon/Townsend, Simms/Dobbin/El Ghazi

Just a thought, and forget short balls thru the back four, try and go direct to midfield, and push up to counter a press.

Easier typed than done, but surely, those players could do that?

If the car crash of the past 3 months does not convince Moshiri/Usmanov that Benitez sheer ignorance and belligerence and frankly naivety Is putting the clubs survival as a Premier League team in serious jeopardy and that he needs to be binned for the good of the club then we are doomed.

Get well soon, John H.

Woke up at 615am came down and thought he’d be sacked, but no official comment yet. Is he begging for a stay of execution? He’s had that period already, and the situation worsens.

Team selections are that of a manager who has lost his sense of reality with regards players, and their capabilities within the chosen formation. Blaming solely the players won’t wash. There is no choice but for the owner but to try and protect his investment.

Why the delay? Are they sounding out a replacement? Makes me think it is not going to be an internal appointment.

Whoever it is, they need to appoint fast, today or tomorrow, as there is still urgent business to be done in strengthening our midfield. So urgent it’s business that could make or break the club.

This whole thing's so depressing.

We can't keep sacking managers but Benitez had to go. Take your blue tinted glasses off though and I honestly think anyone taking the job now would have to be mentally unstable, desperate for money (a big pay off after another failure in a years time) or an Everton fan. Which doesn't leave us with great options.

The club's rotten from top to bottom, conducting our own internal review sums the whole thing up, does anyone seriously think they'll make any genuine changes?!

I can't believe I've read some negativity towards Graham Potter. He'd be fantastic, he's got a supposed 'smaller club' playing excellent football, regularly outplayed big teams with attractive football and slowly building a solid team. Problem is why would he ever take the job, I read an interview with him recently where he was saying its not about money and he wants to be at a well run club with the right structure and philosophy. So that's us fucked.

I'd say let Duncan have it until the end of the season as he'd steer us away from relegation purely by scaring the shit out of the players. He's not a long term option for me though but that'd buy time to think about our whole structure and put changes in place. Of course this won't happen and Moshiri will probably give it to Lampard or some other disaster.

Rooney could be an interesting one, he's done well at Derby which is another basket case of a club so thats at least relevant experience.

Thank goodness

If Moshiri/Usmanov do make the decision to bin Benitez then it has to be Duncan as interim at the least for the next few months to galvanize the squad and fight for enough wins from the remaining matches to survive the drop.

Bringing a new manager in from outside and expecting them to hit the ground running and turn results around in such a short period of time without time to get to know the individual squad members is a bigger risk at this crucial point of the season in my eyes.

To paraphrase Elton, “it’s sad, so sad. It’s a sad, sad situation”.

I’m glad he’s gone/going but who in their right mind trusts tweedledee and tweedledumb to get the next appointment right? This is what really scares me. Plus the fact that any new transfer dealings will have to be put on hold unless Kia Joorabchian has other ideas.

I think we are going to get relegated.

Beyond that, we are in very deep trouble.

There are players on the books who we won’t be able to get rid of, who will perform poorly in the championship. Iwobi, Keane, Gomes. It’s this kind of toxicity that the big hitters who get relegated really struggle with. As with big clubs being relegated comes poor players on huge wages. And I’m afraid you’re stuck with them. And we are. Players with no stomach for a fight.

Perhaps it will take a complete rebuild from league one to put the football club back together again.

Ten years ago we finished above Liverpool in consecutive seasons. Within 7 years of that they had played in two champions league finals and won one of them and won the league.

I cannot think of a manager that I would want and honestly, I don’t really care now. But I want Benitez out. I never wanted him.

I didn’t envisage that he’d actually be this bad. But his management has been beyond woeful.

Am I happy that Benitez is about to be sacked as our manager? No, I am not, in fact it makes me despondent. Despondent at how far away the club is from the aspirations of the supporters. After the initial shock of a former RS manager being appointed as the manager, I started to believe (with inputs from a lot of knowledgeable TWers) that Benitez may be exactly the bitter medicine that we needed to turn things around. And RB seemed to be doing the right things - getting in 2 very good wingers for a laughably low fee, a counter-attacking style that seemed to be aligned with the players we had, and you could see that he wanted to succeed at Everton and earn a good reputation among Everton's supporters. But his 1 mistake, which turned into the sword on which he fell (or will fall, as I write this) was the signing of Rondon. I think that was a lazy signing, and we could have done better, much better, with discovering an unknown gem from among the innumerable strikers in the top leagues who don't get playing time because of various reasons. Signing an unfit Rondon from the Chinese league and giving him game after game to get him fit, then match fit, then match sharp resulted in poor results. And ultimately, I think Benitez got obsessed with proving that Rondon was not a bad signing by him. Another thing that Benitez was supposed to do for us was tighten up our defence and make us difficult to play against, but individual error after individual error every game made it a mountain to climb for the team. Of course, he was dealt a cruel hand by injuries/ Covid unavailability of key players like DCL, Richarlison, Mina, Doucoure, Godfrey, Branthwaite, Davies, Gomes, etc. And the unavailability of his No. 10 - Sigurdsson - did him no favours.

Looking at the positive side of RB's regime:
He tried to balance the books - the squad consisting of players with bloated wages (Rodrigues, Bernard, Digne, etc) was trimmed significantly.
He brought in an excellent player in Gray and a very decent squad player in Townsend for next to nothing.
He got in a decent back-up - Begovic - to Jordan Pickford on a free.
Whether out of necessity or by intent, he has brought on Gordon, who is turning out to be a very exciting player for Everton.
He has given decent playing time to Branthwaite and Dobbin, both of whom have very promising careers ahead of them.
He has signed 2 potentially exciting Full Backs in Mykolenko and Patterson. Okay, Mykolenko has had a torrid introduction into a dysfunctional EFC team, but I am hoping that when results do turn around under a new manager, he and Nathan will be gradually introduced into the team and will be a bedrock for EFC for years to come.

In summary, I hold no malice towards Rafa Benitez - I can say that he wanted to succeed here, he showed that he cared, but a combination of his own stubbornness, and other factors beyond his control made his position untenable. I just want to say - Thank you for trying.

Last week I was reading a brilliant article on psychology today.com about factfulness. The article outlines the ways in which we are duped by the media with statistics and gives reasons why the world is not as bad a place as we are led to believe.
One of the points discussed is our obsession with finding an immediate resolution to any problem, and if the solution isn't found lickety split, then we tend to panic and think the world is coming to an end!
I see some comparisons with our current plight.
Whilst I understand that we are now halfway through the season and in desperate need of points from somewhere, appointing a random manager stinks of absolute desperation and will lead us straight back to where we are now.
Everyone wants Benitez out. Me too. And who do we want to replace him? Nobody knows. So please, let's stop bandying round names like Bilic, Mancini, Rooney or even Martinez!!!! (what a joke that would be) and get behind THE ONLY VIABLE option which is Duncan Ferguson (temporary or otherwise).
A panic appointment could lead us down to the Championship and Ferguson will, if nothing else, galvanise our currently disjointed and dispirited squad.
Sad, desperate times indeed, but I hold out hope for us until the end of the season under Big Dunc.

Ajay,I don't blame Benitez at all. He is completely blameless in this, and should be sacked immediately.

The problem is that he was appointed. And it was abundantly clear that he shouldn't have been. We got exactly what we expected.

Then we went one step further and gave him all manner of control.

I'm still wondering if Moshiri can bring himself to sack Benitez. Because he looks really stupid right now. He brought him in against fan (his customers) opinion, it's gone as we said it would, and he doubled down further and put his trust in Benitez on some big calls over the last few weeks.

He's been conned. Moshiri's ego could well take us down. Let's see what happens in the next few days.

Ajay

1 win in 13 is the worst record of any Everton manager in living memory.

Mind you he replaced Digne with Mykolenko so there’s always that

Steve, I kept saying on here that we don't need to have the solution.

What we need is a plan.

The plan should be to sack Benitez, appoint Duncan as caretaker, and undertake the full review of the club.

We'll find a manager. But when we do it should be someone aligned to our plans. At the moment we don't know what we want to be and don't have the skills in house to understand that. Okay, let's solve that issue next then get onto appointments.

Woke up thinking he’d be gone but apparently not yet. Hope Moshiri/Usmanov realise that was a strong squad available yesterday and the significance of losing to Norwich. Whoever comes in won’t have a honeymoon period, immediate results are needed. We’re in a tailspin now.

Penny for the thoughts of Mykolenko and Patterson on joining the circus.

I am all for Duncan for the rest of the season, steady the ship, instil fight and passion, restore pride. During that time I hope this fool does his homework and gets the right DOF in who can appoint the next manager. Moshiri should then just back the fuck off and let him do it, his biggest mistake in the first place was a) appointing a tracksuited scout to a role he wasn't qualified for and then b) continued to take power away from him and Brands. If you are going to adopt the DOF model, then bloody adopt it, not piss around the edges of a model. Bloody fool playing fantasy football with his fortune.

If we don't do the above then the best options I can see are Kovac and Fonseca. I had a restless night, concerned for my team and the future of our great club, so I spent a little time researching both options. Both out of work so that will appeal (I simply can't see Moshiri spending the money to prise Potter away and frankly, why would he come?).

Fonseca is the more charismatic option, a factor which should be considered if the dressing room needs galvanising. He is most famed for his Shaktar Donesk team but we all know that is a Mickey Mouse league, he faired OK at Roma and I was surprised he got sacked, got them to the semi finals of the Europa cup. He favours 4231 which would suit our current personnel and likes high intensity pressing.

Kovac is a more interesting option to me, won the league and cup with Bayern before being sacked and did an amazing job resuscitating Monaco to an inch of the title after taking them on near relegation. He is less consistent with formations though his Wiki page indicates he adopted a 3421 in Germany. I thought that could work too with current personnel, it could give us an opportunity to blood Brainthwaite and the young fullbacks (in the wider slots alongside two defensive minded midfielders) with less pressure than a straight back 4. Gordon, Townsend, Richy and Gray could fight it out for the two positions behind DCL.

Kovac is the sterner, stricter and more professional of the two coaches, arguably what we need? Fonseca more of a man to man manager who likes to throw an arm around his players. I'm glad I'm not on the Everton board having to make these decisions but also so I don't have to speak to those clowns who literally couldn't organise an event, let alone a club of this size.

As I said, get him gone and Duncan in till the end of the season for me. If Rooney came I would be surprised, I would absolutely get behind him and Dunc but I would also reserve any optimism, this river of blood runs deep.

One manager they might want to consider is Ange Postecoglou. All the sceptics laughed at his name, and expected the worst when he took over the Celtic job. It has to be remembered that Celtic was in a miserable position at the beginning of the season. In terms of turning a club around he has form - he has won over the fan base in a short space of time. His coaching philosophy is about aggressive, attacking football and as a manager he has excellent motivational skills. Unlike a lot of the names mentioned for the job he does not have a history of being sacked, in fact his trajectory has been steady and upwards. Celtic obviously did their homework when they got him. He was second choice behind Eddie Howe and the club are probably grateful that Howe declined the job. He has turned underperforming players into reliable performers. He has turned a club that was a shambles into successful outfit. It must be remembered that Steven Gerrard's Rangers won the championship by 25 points last season - Postecoglou has put Celtic within striking distance of winning the league in a short space of time.

Surely this has to be the end of the kopite loser’s job, that was spectacularly bad yesterday against a team who hadn’t scored some since November, it’s obvious the players just can’t make it work, they don’t get off Scot free with the mis placed passes and terrible defending but at the end of the day the buck stops with Benitez, a truly terrible appointment by Moshiri.

I wish they would just get it done already, it's depressing.

Reading the rumours this morning that he is leaving “by mutual consent”
Does that mean we have to pay him compensation? I would guess not.
The sad truth is we needed a ruthless manager to rid the squad of the lazy, the dissenters, the trouble makers, the useless, those currently on bail…and Iwobi and Rondon.

That squad is overpaid and we paid over the odds for average rubbish.

The difference between this squad and the 90s squad skirting relegation is there are no leaders here, no fighters and no unity. That is terrifying going into these must win games.

On paper his arrogance and blind ignorance fitted that bill. I wanted to give him a chance for no other reason than I was tired of us hiring new managers “with a project”.
His RS connections and comments about us could be overlooked if he got the results as I wanted our club to win. But the past few months have been horrific. I want him gone yesterday. Not for his past comments but because he is sending us hurtling in a rocket towards relegation with his arrogance, stubbornness, tactics and belligerence. His persistence with Rondon is like two fingers up to the fans each week.
Then I want that board broken up. I want Kenwright gone with Baxendale.
I have never seen a club so badly run since the Venky chicken farmers took over Blackburn and we know what happened there. You half expect our next appointment from Moshiri will be Steve Kean.
What is truly terrifying is Kenwright seems the most footballing qualified on the board to advise on who is next which will inevitably mean Brett Angel as our coach and Sly Stallone as his right hand man.
Please get the best man in for the job and not because he had a YTS at Belfield in the 90s or fell on hard times when he left us. That should not be the overriding qualification.
Is Moshiri a complete stooge? Is he really an billionaire or the funnel for Usmanov? You cannot be that stupid to be a billionaire can you? He comes across completely inept and his interviews are cringeworthy.
Please please please rip this club apart and start again from top to bottom. Get real experts in who know what they are doing. Engage the fan base, and back off interfering in player signing and managerial decisions.
If you read the comments on newsfeeds today we are a laughing stock with other fans all saying we are entitled, have delusions of grandeur and our fans are toxic. All I want is a well run club, a manager with decent positive tactics and a squad that fights. Is that too much to ask?

Brands was fired...sorry - "left by mutual consent" - on the fifth of December. It's the sixteenth of January.

So three weeks before Christmas remove the director of football hopefully streamlining the decision making process, granting authority to the manager and leading to better performances and results on the pitch?
Three weeks after Christmas, then decide that initial firing wasn't the actual largest contributing cause to the onfield calamity that is the 21/22 Everton league season. And thus fire the same fellow you doubled down on six weeks ago? After doubling down how many times just to get him appointed? A man indeed, that was - presumably - controlling the transfer business up to and including dictating the sale of Digne mere days ago?

It's literally self evident how poorly this business is functioning. At how completely lacking in the necessary structures processes and continuous improvement methods in regards to our competitors it is. And of course, most damning and dangerously of all the sheer amount of misappropriated money to get to the club to the utterly parlous state it finds itself in today.

Anyway who feels that we're absolutely certain to stay up, I wish I could share your optimism. I would agree the playing group certainly has more than sufficient quality to be well above the relegation mix at seasons end. But the last thirteen games are a matter of record as well.
But the idea that there's "three worse clubs than us" is also starting to lose it's truth for me. We're absolutely rudderless, flicking the DoF after he suggested it might be the manager, and then oh yeah, he might have been right so we'll flick the manager too. Nonsensical tone deaf managerial appointments, catastrophic wastes of money on recruitment, and the ultimate indictment; namely after half a dozen managers that the penny semingly has yet to drop. The problem might not be just the manager. It might be actually be a little more deep rooted and nuanced than just that

I honestly can't think of three clubs in this division right now more poorly run at the governance level as we are and have been for literally decades.
Eventually this will catch up with us, and we will go down. Until Moshiri, whom as the owner and ultimate paymaster of this shitshow, works out that the lack of accountability, lack of oversight, lack of process, direction, and even basic stability is the root cause of the problem. Not hiring the next football chancer who wants to collect three or four years of astronomical wages for what amounts to about fifteen months of service on average.

We're doomed lads, maybe not in the short run but luck will eventually run out. There is no way this club can be successful with the model it presently employs. And I have seen zero sign, in even decades, of such substantive organizational change occurring with the present culture and familiar faces comfortably ensconced.

The smaller picture is we're in quite deep shit right now, and the bleak outcome is we're almost certain to be in even deeper shit as long as the club continues to operate this way.

I'm glade he's gone, never thought he should have been appointed, and following this post never intend to mention him again, but Benitez was just the latest symptom from what has been already thoroughly diagnosed.
Escaping this maelstrom of form and assuring safety as quickly as possible must absolutely be the short term goal. And then I would hope Mr Moshiri could then consider his position on if he wishes to remain the owner of Everton Football Club.

Depressing times at Goodson and Finch Farm, every time I try to get my thoughts away from Everton and football since yesterday they still come back into my head,can’t escape them, I think there will be more very depressing times ahead with who is in charge of the club and it’s business.

As one poster said earlier in this thread Thanks for trying Rafa, you’ve failed it seems, aided by a lot of mistakes by yourself and interference in the background not forgetting the people who made many more mistakes than you, the players ———————And they are still here.

I have backed Rafa but he certainly does need to go. Whatever, happens the toxicity will always be there. 6 months of shite from him and the players.

In terms of the next manager- who knows? Big Dunc maybe but I would I be bold give it to Rooney. With Dunc number 2. Also get Baines on the front row of our bench.

Strange times but I think we will be ok.

There are some bright young coaches out there, so we don't need to despair. But they won't be available during the season so we need an interim solution.

Jay Harris @ 39 Stoo the the drunken womanising Rooney shit will you. Have you not made mistakes in your life ffs. He’s the best footballer to have ever come out of our club bar none. Won everything along the way besides the World Cup and Euro’s and he’s doing a Stella job at a worse basket case of a club than ours. Do you not know we have only ever won stuff with Ex evertonians in charge. Just f/ing stop with character assassination. Look at Gerard and what he’s doing. Young ex players are the thing now not fucking dinosaur managers of the past.

Depressing to say the least some of the names. What a mess. No idea where we go or who we hire for the best.

This next appointment is possibly the most important decision in our recent history get it wrong and we’re toast.

Farhad has no idea what he’s doing. Bill a little more maybe, but still clueless. No DOF to help either.

More interviews ?

I actually think that team that finished the game yesterday won’t get relegated. With Allan replacing Gomes. So there’s more than something to work with.

Big moments in our history. We need the fools to get lucky.

A fair few people saying Ferguson and/or Unsworth in to steady the ship for rest of the season. But that would surely be an enormous risk?! Giving this sad sack of players to a manager who’s not had control of a first team at any level for more than a handful of matches.

I think the assumption that just because someone loves the club that they will do a good job is somewhat archaic, fairytale, Kenwright-esque thinking. It may rouse the crowd and team for a match or two but I’m not sure it’s sustainable. But maybe they’d surprise me.

Maybe they’ll have to. As who the hell else is gonna be desperate for a job at a club with no clear direction at board level, a owner who’s goes against the manager or DOFs wishes, an unbalanced, unmotivated playing squad and position far closer to an historic relegation than Europe?!

I love the idea of bringing in Dan Ashworth as DOF and Graham Potter as manager; I think what they are doing and building at Brighton is quietly impressive for a club of that stature and resources. But they would be crazy to come here.

Kovac, Favre, Rooney, Wilder, Fonseca, Urs Fischer, Gallardo, Seb Hoeness could be interesting for different reasons. Though I’d be unsurprised to see someone uninspiring like Nuno or Steve Bruce come in.

Lord help us.

Simon#141. That the manager I was thinking.

Simon@141, good shout. He's also doing it without their talisman for years Scott Brown.

We have a good squad, and some very good youngsters. Lampard for me, a serial winner and a great believer in youth. He can't be worse than the rest of the poor choices we have made.

Let me give you all a clue. If, when a new manager arrives, we look at the bench, and it is still populated by clueless dinosaurs because nobody has the guts to tell them to go - then this will all repeat and repeat.

I actually think the best solution is to give it to Ferguson, watch us go down and then realise the truth when we are mid table in the Championship this time next year.

EFC can have as many managers as they can find. The travelling lemmings can shout "sack the board" - but the consistent, ever-present problem is at Finch Farm.

Rafa must go to give any chance of survival. My annoyance is "here we go again", not Rafa is some great manager and we must keep him.

Currently, our run of form is relagation but we are not dead yet!! It would be a disaster to leave the premiership make no bones about it. Financially in the poor house and the championship is a different beast all together. Over the the years I always thought the club is not moving forward but will stagnate and go backwards. Changing managers have just holted the decline but we must do it again.

Every manager that we have let go I feel deep sadness because all I want is a taste of success before I leave the world. All managers that have left Everton want that as well. To jump around, smile and cheer with fellow evertonians. Their has been a lingering black cloud over this club for far too long. Crash and burn!!! Its hope thats keeping us going!

Tomorrow if big dunc or whoever takes over must call a emergency players meeting. This group of players can only save us now. Yes with motivation but they must work harder than ever. Rafa goodbye!! You tried and we must try again with a new manager!

ITS NOT OVER! WE MUST PLAY OUR PART AS WELL!!!

@134 Ajay

I disagree Ajay. ‘Balancing the books’ means nothing to me. His job is to win more games than he loses.

I don’t care about balancing books.

Expressing positivity about ‘balancing books’ indicates an intricate knowledge about the finances of the football club.

We aren’t informed enough to know if James Rodriguez was a financially viable player. The assumption because of his vast weekly wage was that he wasn’t. That’s certainly what Benitez had us believe anyway - in justifying his decision to get rid of JR.

We are however informed enough to know he is an outstanding footballer and our team this season would’ve been better with him in it. That is a plain and simple fact. However, Benitez dispensed of him.

At this moment in time, Lucas Digne is a better left back than Mykolenko. That is just the reality of the situation and cannot be debated. Yet Benitez saw fit to dispose of Digne and bring in Mykolenko. At a time when he needed to be collecting results, he decided to get rid of our most creative player, a France International, and replace him with a completely unknown quantity.

Demarai Gray was a good signing. That is also true. However, he’s only simply an improvement on the utter dross in the squad. And in a good Everton side of the last decade, I don’t think he’s generally any better than Mirallas, Deulofeu etc.

I think Benitez response to Moshiri will be "hold your nerve, we can do this" Moshiri knew the shit would hit the fan at some point but hoped for a few more points on the table before it all went pear shaped, but the truth of the matter is that its always been pear shaped. Benitez will say that he now has a full squad plus others available so it will work out. Kenwright will advise to get rid, Moshiri will want him to stay. Moshiri made his gamble and backed Benitez, he would have taken the plaudits if it had gone ok, he has to take the brickbats when its stuffed up.
I think Benitez lost the dressing room before Christmas. Clearing out of Digne, Brands going etc must have raised problems with some players downing tools. He may have said Digne doesn't want to play for Everton but I bet there were half a dozen or so that didn't want to play for Benitez.

So if he does go we still have massive problems with the squad and it will need wholesale replacements going forward. But it needs someone to do it in a step by step approach without losing the dressing room, or the fans. Its not a short term fix, but a work in progress. Benitez was a wrecking ball, an out of date tactical manager who had total belief in himself and noone else.

I don’t get why EFC would need to pay ‘compensation’ to Benitez to terminate the contract? He was out of a job when we hired him, so only a fool would agree to have a compensation clause in case he were to get fired. Moshiri is naive when it comes to footballing matters, but surely not so foolish as to agree to have a compensation clause for an unemployed manager?

For him to survive so long, I can only assume Moshiri (yellow shirt) spent the past 6 months looking on like this as Benitez (Rafa Benitez) went to work on Everton (quivering cholo):

Link

Bill, let me give you a clue, there's plenty of promising young lads who can fill that bench. We need a manager who'll give them a chance to prove themselves over the repeated failures like Rondon, Keane, Coleman, etc.

Maybe Duncan won't either… but he's still a better bet then the dinosaur pleb in charge right now. My personal hope is he keeps us up, Arsenal job Arteta between now and the summer, and he comes home and teams up with Cahill next season.

It's a better dream than your hope for relegation so you can weirdly show it was “Dunc all along”.

You have to wonder how much of an advantage having no fans at away games was having because the home form under Carlo was just as bad as under Benitez.

Tommy Carter, I'm with you on relegation. I can't see any manager saving us from relegation. Whoever takes over will want to go all defensive to stop us conceding goals.

“Those advocating Rooney do we really want or need a drunken womaniser with no principles leading the dressing room.”

Link

Link

We could do a hell of a lot worse…and have done a hell of a lot worse, repeatedly and recently.

Whatever misdemeanours or ‘Miss Dom Nana’s you might want to dig up from his murky past, they do not detract from the admirable fist he’s been making of his first managerial gig. The Derby fans and players fucking love him. He’s shown tremendous character and loyalty in sticking it out in a situation where he was initially misled about the financial situation the club were soon to be facing and subsequently slapped with a transfer embargo and a 21 point deduction. He’s fostered a great team spirit, blooded a lot of young players, made them defensively solid, given them an outside chance of survival against all the odds and paid for things (such as all away travel and accommodation) out of his own pocket to ensure his players get the best preparation possible.

Gobshites like the Richard Madley of Radio 5 Live, Simon Jordan, may like to remove his lips from his own ringer occasionally to blithely dismiss the job Rooneys been doing and scoff about ‘falling asleep in hotel rooms’ etc (still, not quite as bad as falling asleep while in charge of a football club and waking up to find unpaid wages everywhere with the entire operation in fucking administration though is it, Simon) but those in and around Derby County, those who have paid to watch them, those who have worked alongside and under him, all appreciate the leadership qualities Rooney has brought to what looked a chaotic and hopeless situation.

Sacking is the easy part – as we've seen. When is a bit harder, who else is hardest.

Not sure the Fat Lady is even on the way to the theatre yet though.

At the time of writing there has still been no announcement. However regarding Dunc taking it as caretaker. On the plus side the players will (mostly) be delighted to have benitez gone, they presumably will put in more of a shift and Duncan certainly will not play the stubborn 5 at the back.

Also, it should have dawned on this group of players that their status as Premier League players is under real threat. Perhaps these things will make them play better and try harder.

The down side is, once we gain safety, the group will be aware that Duncan will only be a temporary fix and they will relax into the same stupor as before.

On possible candidates Potter is being mooted, and despite what has been said above, we are a big club and have far more potential than Brighton. I'm sure we could double his salary too.

No to Bilic, no to Dyche.

The timing of all this has backfired. If we had acted(if we do sack him) weeks ago the new manager could have got some players in. Our midfield is looking empty as well as shite.

Now who is going to come to play for a side generally being exposed on MotD as being a "Shambles"? And who in their right mind signs for a caretaker manager?

These are possibly reasons why Moshiri might decide to keep Benitez.

On Benitez, I was bemused at his appointment but willing to stomach it if he really could organise things and provide decent results.

After the initial decent results(but poor footy) his decisions looked poor, his selections and subs, baffling and his timing awful. He might have been exasperated at some of the effort or the mistakes and I have no problem with a manager cracking the whip and calling the shots. However this group had just been managed by Carlo, who treated the mvery differently.

It seems that today's players know that managers tend to come and go more frequently than players. This gives them more power. If you are Gomes (for example) and you are a free agent in the summer, relegation is not your problem, impressing your manager is not so important. If you are pushing 30, have no chance of international football and moving on, your motivation is simply to look decent to get a new club.

Modern managers have to man-manage. Push too hard and it backfires. Our players have seen the back of so many.

It was clear ar Chelsea how our hungry young lads gave total committment and energy in contrast to some of the others. It also gives the plodders a wake-up call and they also raise their game.
Rafa seems poor at everything.

Bill #155

Yes, we all know there are wider problems at the club. But they won't go away quickly. Right now we have more pressing issues. We need to get rid of a toxic manager with a spectacularly bad record and an inability to:

1) coach defence
2) change games when it is blindingly obvious the current system isn't working
3) use subs properly, and
4) acknowledge that Rondon is not a Premier League player.

El Ghazi was brought in, he's already a Premier League player and he is fit. We were losing... yet he remained on the bench. I don't rate the player much, but this is just crazy.

We need a new manager to galvanise the troops, allow us to actually attack similar or weaker teams, and ideally play youth more often. Even a temporary manager like Ferguson could surely achieve this? Or indeed, anyone?

What a mess. And in the middle of a strategic review with no DoF. The logical order of things would be to appoint an interim manager and a permanent DoF, allow both to shape and input to the review, then appoint a new manager in the summer. But will they do that?

I have a horrible feeling they'll keep Benitez for now, finish the so-called review, not appoint a DoF (partly thanks to Benitez's views) and hope things improve.

Please no more DOF, waste of space. Just get someone until the end of the season to get us out the shit then think about someone full-time.

Forget formations etc. we need points on the board and get them any way possible. There has to be a hard nose, no nonsense businessman somewhere out there who can come in and turn this shit state Club upside down, inside out.

The only thing we should be concerned about right now is getting away from the Bottom 3 any way we can, regardless of how we play.

Well said John. He’s a lad from a Crocky made good. An inspiration to those of us schooled on the mean streets of Liverpool. Too many snobby bastards on here sometimes, don’t know who they think they are.

Also why do we need to sack him. Just put him on gardening leave and let someone else manage the team. We don’t have to pay him off. It won’t be long before he’s wanted by a club and they will pay his wages. It’s not rocket science. Chelsea do it all the time. Just don’t let him manage the team.

Well said Paul smith 170. Gerrard doing the same thing at Villa a lad from Ironside road huyton who has made it big. Like you say to many snobs on here.

Trying to stand back from the general typhoon of despair and loathing, I wonder if Benitez wasn't the right man in the wrong job.

Brands turned out to be a useless Director of Football bringing in overpaid, undertalented characterless dross with no perceivable direction.

Benitez, on the other hand, brought in some extremely good low cost players (and Rondon, who at least is cheap). He appears to have a coherent recruitment policy and one which would result in a much more financially sustainable team.

Benitez is clearly not a competent tactician in todays game, his formations, team choices, substitution, defensive drills etc proving dreadful.

So maybe Benitez should have replaced Brands, and a new more modern, less stubborn team manager have been employed.

If Duncan gets the interim role then I suppose we will either see him succeed or he'll fail. If he fails we get a new broom and Duncan will be swept out of the door and we can stop discussing the " Ferguson conumdrum" If he is indeed really part of the problem, we could soon find out.

I’ll throw a manager into the mix young who has done an extraordinary job at his club. Mark Robbins of Coventry city. He has done a Stella job got them promoted when they had to play every game away from home. There are good managers out there. We just need to stop thinking we are a big club because those days are long gone.

Sam @ 151, there are good names on your list and I actually think several of them are achievable in the summer. Hell, even Tuchel was interested in the past so let's not be too despondent.

Link

We need a professional search led by an empowered DoF over the next 6 months to identify our long-term solution. Moshiri and Kenwright must have nothing to do with it. That means an interim appointment to the summer.

@ Bobby, I agree that we don't need to pay him out. Even if we do, I assume his contract will have a year one release clause to minimise our cost exposure for sacking him.

It'll be like a new signing if it gets confirmed.

Yet another depressing chapter. I'd rather see Dunc in, and hopefully if he does well, in permanently.

I don't want Big Ron unearthed, Lardiolla mk II or us to take a risk on another non-prem manager.

Yes Fergusson only had a few games... but what a few games.

For those who think Fergusson isn't interested, watch this interview:
https://youtu.be/XojpnY-BHC0

I think we may see Weir supporting Ferguson as part of the coaching set up. Recently in contact with the club. Bill on the phone telling him the wicked witch is dead etc

Colin #132, ha ha. Whilst we are referencing musical lyrics, may I offer the 1991 hit by the KLF?( Justified and Aincient”).
We’re justified and We’re Ancient, and we there’s still no master plan…..we’re all bound for Mu Mu Land”.
I have advocated we stick with the manager at least until the end of January, but yesterday was a low point, from which I believe there is no return. I also defer to those who were able at attend the match, and see for themselves the low morale of the team. The decent thing would be for Rafa to resign, but this does not happen with Everton managers does it? Incompetents become multi millionaires, others( Moyes, Ancelotti) treat us as stepping stones. K
John H- here’s to your health, get well soon, and don’t, eat anything that’s still crawling?

Why the delay. Typical Everton dithering. Other clubs do it with immediate effect even on the stairways at Everton. This ever so "nice" club needs to grow a pair and get alan sugar in to tell that kopite p...k "YOUR FIRED"
Give to to Duncan and tell him if he gets 15 points from our before we play city he has the job permanent.

It does feel, at some level, that Duncan Ferguson is the best choice as a caretaker manager because he knows the players well and there's no reason to believe that he has a bad rapport with them. He would, of course, bring that passion back to the touchline which is infectious for everyone.

I do, however, wonder about the mental state of the players who, while I'm sure they're glad to see the back of Benitez too, might be fed up themselves with Ferguson or feel at some level that he's tainted by the same brush as Benitez.

I believe that what we've needed for a while at the club is root-and-branch change anyway. We haven't had a totally clean slate in first team coaching in years. We've had the same chairman for far too long, even if Moshiri is taking a lot of the bigger decisions himself.

I don't believe Rooney would command the level of respect that we would need from a manager. Too many of these players were playing alongside him under Allardyce, plus the less savoury aspects of his reputation precede him. He's doing a phenomenal job at Derby but that doesn't mean definitively that he's a good manager.

I do feel that someone like Frank Lampard could come in and build a rapport with the players straight away and from a position of genuine respectability given what he's achieved in the game but I would expect such a move to presuppose the removal of Duncan Ferguson.

If Lampard and Morris and the rest of his coaching team are ready to go then I think that bears consideration because that would give us the benefit of fresh thinking and a more likeable personality for the players to work under.

That said, Graham Potter - unless a hotshot foreign coach is available - would be the strategic choice for me. He's clearly an excellent coach and given the right structure around him could do wonders long term.

Steve it was reported when he signed that it was a two year contract with an option of a third year. If that’s true I expect any “mutual consent” will see him paid up to the end of year two. Only way he gets nothing is if he resigns.

Extraordinary to think that Moshiri’s money could set us back so badly, the decisions that have ultimately created a situation in which the DOF is sacrificed after not being allowed to really do the job, good players in Digne and Rodriguez are offloaded as not fitting Benitez’s vision and now the board must admit yet another catastrophic recruitment blunder and dismiss a divisive appointment: we watch aghast again as the board act like toddlers playing with loaded guns, but the guns are pointed only at the fans.

I don’t profess to know the answers, but Ferguson could not possibly be worse than the shite so far put forward by the accountant. Throwing lavish stupid money at bang average mercenaries is no longer even an option, I feel the club is rapidly running out of road and I can’t see three worse teams than us.

To be relegated would be horrific, and I remember the Wimbledon game and the feeling of ‘never again’ walking through the cem, the relief of dodging the drop and avoiding the glee of RS. Things are quite different now as we are virtually a footballing irrelevance, great history but nothing in the lifetimes of many; I was angry at the intellectual colossus that is Rio Ferdinand demanding ‘what do we expect?’ when Allardyce’s tactics (?) resulted an another entirely predictable capitulation.
Thing is though, as much as it hurts to admit it, but he had a point.

This team is every bit as bad as Mike Walker’s, lacking leadership and courage, the identity now is what? A succession of chancers and fortunes wasted on dross; club is a joke from the very top. If the medicine needed to rid this club of the disease of mediocrity and complacency is relegation, staying at Goodson and waving off Moshiri’s money then I am fine with that.
It’s years more of this soul destroying shite I fear.

Re; John Daley's links @ 164 etc. I don't think Rooney will come until Derby are mathamtically done, which might go right up to May.

No matter his failing in private life ( let he who is without sin etc, etc,). which are sadly mostly in public.

He knows football, he cares about football, he has a football brain.
Lampard got the Chelsea gig on the back of a much softer Derby ride...and was, I'd say, the worse for it.

So put it all on hold - for now

The immediate question is - if and when, then who for the short term and who for The Long Term.

And the long, long term question is - What the actual fuck can we do about Moshiri and his footballing idiocy.

There are some options of managers out of work atm

Lucien Favre could be a good option on a short term deal 6-18 months. Maybe an offer where he could become a technical director or DOF afterwards. He's a manager with an attacking modern footballing philosophy, and an emphasis on youth. He could offer both short term relief, and offer steps towards a long term strategy.

Niko Kovac took over at Monaco with them bottom after the disastrous Thierry Henry rein. Got them mid table and then finished second. Has since been sacked, but generally seen as an unfair and short-sighted dismissal.

He could be a decent option. His record is nothing spectacular.

Paulo Fonseca again plays attacking style. His record is pretty good. Roma are struggling under his replacement (Benitesque Mourinho). He's a manager with pedigree but also with something to prove.

Jesse Marsch is highly rated from the Red Bull/Rangnick development line. Proponent of the gegenpresse, not very successful in replacing Nagelsman at Leipzig and since sacked, he could still be a good manager with a successful future.

Rudi Garcia was successful in Rome with consecutive 2nd place finishes. He did a decent but unspectacular job at Marseille, and took Lyon to the semi-finals of the Champions League. He'd be unsoexta8, but probably a steady pair of hands.

Roy Keane is exactly what Everton need... in every way.

Gets the respect, creates fear... and will not suffer bullshit from above.

Cant understand some of the negativity about Rooney. As a few people have alluded to young ex players do seem to be doing well at the moment. As for his private life well its none of anyone elses business is it really focus on the football side and hes doing a hell of a job. Watch his after match interview yesterday comes accross really well in my view. People calling him brainless etc no need for it at all. I think its likely Dunc til May then regroup but Rooney definitely worth considering full time.

Lets get behind duncan hope he keeps us up and then re evaluate the club and the managers position

The really annoying thing is that we are now doing this in the transfer window so we could blow any opportunity to bring in 1 or 2 more players to help us. This should have been done well before Xmas. Just shows the ineptitude of our board and owner.

A CM/AM leader type who could help spur the others on is desperately needed! Not that I ever thought he was a leader but Moyes spoke highly of the impact that Lingard had on West Ham last season in terms of his character, professionalism and on both the training and playing field. See him being linked this morning for a minimal fee (with high wages I’m sure) to Newcastle and West Ham again. Surely we should be looking at him in the number 10 role for us?!?

As for managers, Potter won’t come to us (as much as I would love him too). He’s happy at Brighton and the club is well run. He thinks highly of their chairman and has everything around him to build from. Our place is a circus and a lot of people in football know that which is why we have to pay over the odds to tempt people to us as it’s a sh*t show. Anyone coming to us is only coming for the pay cheque.

If Benitez is still in charge next Saturday, then expect the most hostile, toxic atmosphere ever witnessed at a football stadium in this country. Moshiri and Kenwright can escape the animosity simply by not being there, but Benitez has no choice, he will well and truly be in the firing line unless action is taken to disperse of him.

There was a brief discussion on here the other day about how Benitez has split the fans down the middle. What is the percentage for and against him? Whilst I said it could be 95% against him, and only 5% for him, I really believe those figures could now be reality. The FSW songs will get louder as each game passes, more and more are going to turn against him. Regards to the two pitch invaders yesterday, although not condoning their actions, I could fully understand their frustrations, we all could, and I really did think more would follow, such is the hatred towards Benitez. The Norfolk police probably thought likewise, as a heavy contingent of them gathered in the corner, along with plenty of stewards.

Us away fans have every right to voice our anger, in a civilised way of course, but to see a performance like that first half is beyond redemption. To spend the best part of eighteen hours, and a round trip of over 500 miles for that is simply not acceptable. Things can, and will improve, they simply have too, providing Benitez is not around to oversee it.

Finally, regarding the travelling fans, Bill Rodgers # 155, what exactly do you mean by “The travelling lemmings can shout "sack the board" etc, ? Is that some kind of dig at the away fans, and if it is then you are bang out of order.

I think its time that protests should be seen and heard at Finch Farm. Peaceful protest.
What the hell are they doing there. Watching Everton over the last few months its obvious there is fuck physical or tactical work going on. On the pitch we are slow and lifeless. Tactic are non existent. Yesterday I watched Ferguson constantly shaking his head at both the on field and off field antics.
This club is toxic. Who the hell would want to manage it. Forget about history because it will mean fuck all in the Championship. I fear we are a mixture of Blackburn and Leeds with no plan and more importantly no planners.

Whoever it is, are we going to be in the stupid position of saying to the new man, 'by the way, we've already picked your assistant.' Time that stopped, as it will if the assistant is the chosen one.

If we had the structure to attract a Graham Potte, then we wouldn't require the services of Graham Potter.

Quod erat demonstrandum really.

One of the worst things to consider, in a thick catalogue of contenders, is the sheer fact right now the club has no structure whatsoever. Whatever fledgling model – if any! – that was being built by Brands has been wiped off the map, and the Benitez lean-to that was replacing that model has just been obliterated as well.

For every mistake, miscalculation and monumental fuck up of the Moshiri era, and there have been plenty – For every one of them, the absolute sum total of the benefit has been absolutely zero. We have appeared to not have learned one thing during this entire extended process. Indeed, as I've noted, IMO we lack the actual capacity to learn and benefit from any of the numerous mistakes we're making.

Until that changes, then it can only carry on as it has. The worst and most damaging realization of all.

We simply must assure safety as quickly as possible and then Moshiri needs to sell this football club. The party is over.

I want Benitez gone, and Keane and Rondon never to be seen in an Everton shirt again.

People were getting ready to go to Finch Farm after the Brighton game, allegedly, Sean@191, but then got a message hearing the players were off, although I'm not sure it would have been peaceful.

I am going to say it:

If Everton offer the job to Potter in the summer, he will definitely take it.

Amongst all the uncertainty, indecision and manager names being bandied around, there should be one absolute, definite which can be summed up in three words - Slaven Bilic - NO!

Put Ferguson in charge for now.

The next priority is a professional Board of Directors who have experience in running a football club successfully. The current Board have repeatedly proven they're not up to the job. Moshiri can't do it from Monaco and needs professionals in place.

There is currently no direction and, unless this changes, the Club will continue to flounder. The new Board should then drive the recruitment of the next manager. It's not rocket science. It's how business is run. And football is a business – not a vanity project.

An annoying point: Rafa let Lucas leave because he couldn't deal with him, and replaced him with the new lad who will take time to adjust. But the obvious problems are in central defence!

Keane, Holgate and Ben in any combination are not good enough. If he could've sold Keane and Holgate and got a partner for Branthwaite, we would already be in a better position.

So in fact he could've kept Lucas brought the new right-back, or put Ben there and signed 1 or 2 centre-backs!

I understand that not all the blame should be directed at Benitez, and the problems lie deeper than that. But as football fans, and Everton fans, it was clear that the team chosen, and tactics on Saturday, were mind-boggling.

Coleman starting after his recent form, when we had a good opportunity to blood in a young new signing, against what should have been a low confidence team like Norwich. Playing Gomes, whose form and confidence is shot in midfield. Rondon starting up front, with a player just coming back from a long layoff, when his mobility has been questioned all season.

These are decisions, that most of us as football fans, and unqualified one's at that, could see clearly, before kickoff with our own eyes, make me question what the hell was Benitez doing picking that lineup? I know some of you might shoot me down, and say it's the board and players too, which I agree with. But as a passionate supporter of a club I totally love, it frustrates me that a manager with that much experience and knowledge, can't see the obvious.

Clearing out a player, who's been loved by us fans for the past few years because he disagreed with his tactics, is just a kick in the teeth for us, and shows he didn't care about our opinions and views at all. I know Digne has not been at his best lately, but, like all of us on this site, at least the disagreement shows that he cared if nothing else.

The new manager can start by bringing in a decent left back (like Digne) and offloading some deadwood (like El Ghazi).

In all seriousness, the likelihood of relegation makes offloading the overpaid deadwood all the more important. And if we're going to come straight back up, we can't be overhauling the entire squad in one go. We should focus on players who are likely to stay on.

Fran 185,

Trouble is none of those managers have managed in England. Would you trust them with such a toxic club, where there doesn't seem to be a footballing structure and the club needs a rebuild from top to bottom?

Not sure what the answer is, to be honest, but we need some stability.

I agree with those who consider Moshiri a large part of the problem now (in fact, some of us were concerned a lot earlier), but he has made an awful lot of money available and most of us were behind the Koeman and Ancelotti appointments, at least. Silva wasn't an unimaginative appointment either. The stadium is a good thing.

But it all somehow goes wrong when people come to us and get to work: managers, players, Directors of Football. It has happened over a very long time in much the same way and I have no idea why – but it is demonstrably the case.

Mind you, other clubs who have declined could say exactly the same. It becomes a process and once it gets deep enough then it's hugely difficult to stop, if it can be stopped at all.

Some slab of luck would be very nice. That can help. Something unforeseeable. As things stand, it may be all we have to cling to.

Rob #190,

Big respect to you and others travelling all that way when deep down you must have been anticipating another horror show. It's all well and good armchair fans having a go at fans who are at the game for shouting, chanting or booing but sometimes the passion of the moment just gets too much and you have to give vent to your feelings.

Away fans invest a lot of time, effort, money and emotion travelling to places like Norwich and if, from time to time, they overstep the mark in some eyes, they should be cut a bit of slack.

How do the powers that be know how hacked off the fans are if they sit in silence?

I thought last night we now look like a new Sunderland. A columnist in one of this morning's papers refers to another NorthEast club's ‘perpetually livid or sobbing supporters and the odium they poured on a succession of managers'.

Change Newcastle to Everton and the names of the managers and that's us.

If he is sacked today, as we all hope, I think in the short term at least, putting Ferguson in charge for a few games is the right thing to do.

We saw the reaction he got from the players and fans when he first took over at home to Chelsea and we need that this weekend against Villa. I don't know if he is the right person to manage us for the rest of the season but I do think he can pick up some points to steady the ship.

If results don't improve, it won't cost a fortune to remove Ferguson and try a more experienced manager.

Got to be Rooney for me, what he is doing at Derby is nothing short of a miracle. He knows the club, he is a fan, has a football brain. Work him with Duncan. I think we need to go back to our roots, build the club with Rooney.

The reality is that going back 5 years when Moshiri (& Usmanov?) bought the club we thought it would see us back among the top 4/5. But the truth is that this pair have completely destroyed our club.

In all the 67 years of following Everton I cant recall a time when there was such a disconnect between the club and the fans. Apart from Ancelotti all their managerial appointments have been terrible and allowed these poor managers to spend vast sums of money on journeymen players. In appointing first Allardyce and now Benitez it showed they didn't understand Evertonians at all, because if they did they would never have appointed these 2 managers.

The Benitez appointment was completely mind-boggling, here was a manager who had to go to China to earn a living because nobody in Europe would employ him. Moshiri told us we were all wrong in what we thought of Benitez and after spending a week on Usmanov's yacht off Sardinia decided to hire a man whose best days had long since past. But tried to reassure is that if we had seen Benítez's data base with 3,000 players listed we would know he was the right man.

I think after hearing that I knew that the combination of Moshiri/Usmanov would never be the right men in charge of our club. Sadly it gives me no pleasure to say that 95% of Evertonians were spot on with their initial view of making Benitez our manager, that it would be a disaster.

So rather than waste anymore of your money can I humbly suggest that you and Usmanov spend the next few weeks looking for someone to take this club off your hands. You said from the word go that you only expected your purchase of our club to take up no more than 5% of your time, that really should have set the alarm bells ringing. But we were so delighted in what your buying power would bring we completely overlooked how little interest this club would have in your life.

Unlike you and your mate, Everton is everything to our fans who if we are honest probably have invested too much time in all things Everton. You have been extremely lucky that our fanbase bye and large have because of your investment left you out of any criticism and instead focused our displeasure on other members of the board. While the other board members deserve that criticism, I am afraid, as the saying goes, the buck stops with you.

Marc, if we're not going to give it Ferguson until the end of the season, then Rooney would be the only permanent appointment I'd want to see.

He's proved his mettle, and he's a big name that the players will respect. Get him in now!

Exactly, Danny.

I really do think with someone who is an Everton fan too we can build again. You look at the commitment those Derby players are putting in.

Rob @190,

Keep up the good work.

I agree with Dave @204 re away fans – we all feel we have made a big emotional investment in Everton but the regular away support are a step up again and have every right to demand more.

With regards Duncan Ferguson taking over. It needs to be recognised that he is Assistant Manager all through this catastrophic period.

Is he completely and totally blame-free?

I love the guy and respect his love for the club too. He wants the best for us, there's no question about it. But in the unforgiving pressure cooker of Premier League management, we have to be honest and ask ourselves: Is he the right choice? Or is he a bit part of the current problem?

It's been obvious for a few years now that it doesn't matter who Moshiri appoints as manager – it won't make a lot of difference. The problem is Moshiri thought he'd spent his £500m well in assembling what he proudly referred to as ‘a squad full of internationals'. He said this when appointing Carlo, and added that the problem was we'd lacked a good enough manager to get the best out of them.

Wrong! The problem is the players and this problem has gone on unaddressed, for so long as we appoint a new manager for a year and when it fails another new manager comes in and repeats, meanwhile the players get away scot-free.

Mr Moshiri, you have to acknowledge and accept, you've wasted a fortune buying mostly players past their best, or just not good enough. Even if Pep came in we'd struggle with the squad we have.

I suspect your footballing knowledge is so poor you can't recognise a decent player from a poor or average one and you can't bring yourself to admit the complete mess you've made of owning a football club.

It is you that needs to go. Nothing will change whilst we have a bloke who knows sod all about football and footballers, running our club.

No.

Go outside the club. Go for someone with no connections who can come in and tear it up. We need it and someone with emotional or controversial connections won't do that either through sentiment or because of resistance.

My Rangnick ship has sailed so find the next Sporting Director / DoF and let them be one with a younger head coach under them.

It has to be big Dunc, we have to get that monkey off our back. If he can turn it around we will all breathe a sign of relief. If not then another one bites the dust. Either he wants to be the manager or he doesn't, he's 50 years old now and not managed a club on a permanent basis.

I would like to see Dunc with assistant managers of Alan Irvine and Lee Carsley (with a sneaky eye on him being the next manager). We need to re-invent The People's Club ethos, not with an old fogey like Moyes but with younger blood. We have so little time to achieve things before our stars piss off.

Yes, I know the board is a problem but that is nothing compared to winning lots of football matches. You win matches then everything improves: sponsorship, outside interest, Christ – we as supporters need to start enjoying life again and taking the mick about other teams and Everton stop making other teams look good.

If Dunc is the man, then all the supporters need a mindset of glass half-full, not half-empty as we need to push this recovery through. Up the Blues.

On another track... he's been involved with several managers & styles, so is in a good position to see what works and what doesn't. Is it time to give him the reins until summer and re-evaluate then?

Talk of Rooney is premature.

He is doing an admirable job at Derby, but equally, he's under basically no pressure. If they go down, the blame will always and forever be held to the owner. Anything he does will be seen in a good light.

The pressure here will be another level, the scrutiny of every tactical misstep, purchase etc is a different level.

His next step should be a higher level Championship side, pushing for promotion and dealing with expectations and pressure.

We need, more than anything, a steady pair of hands.

Whatever is said, the club lost its way years ago and, to cap it all, we have Moshiri at the helm who knows as much about football as a conspiracy theorist knows about science.

Maybe, just maybe, Rooney is the man we need. A massive shake up is required and he could be the person to do it.

No more journeymen managers please.

No to Ferguson or any other coach who has associations with the club and knows nothing but failure. We are in very serious trouble… don't underestimate just how much – and I mean terminal.

Norwich is a 06:30 train home for me and my mates and I live in Hampshire so I can only doff my hat to all the away fans who spend thousands following Everton. You all have every right to vent your feelings.

Danny #214,

"Go outside the club. Go for someone with no connections who can come in and tear it up."

I agree. The irony is that we did that with Benitez. But, as you say, "We need it and someone with emotional or controversial connections won't do that either through sentiment or because of resistance." And, yes, that was a problem with Benitez.

"My Rangnick ship has sailed so find the next Sporting Director / DoF and let them be one with a younger head coach under them." Agree – let's get back to the DoF model that was brutally ripped up during the Benitez hegemony.

So, if Benitez has gone, this means soon Coleman will be playing under his 8th manager in 9 years at the same club. Moyes, Martinez, Koeman, Allardyce, Silva, Ancelotti, Benitez and whoever is next – and he didn't win anything under any of them. That has to be some kind of record.

Outside of the players Benitez signed, every first-team player has played under at least two managers. Many under 4, 5, 6 or 7 managers. No wonder we are getting nowhere fast.

Why oh why would anyone give a striker like Rondon even playing time? He brought him in when most of us knew he was way past his best, but then continued to play him.

One goal, that should have shown him something, but he stuck with him. Please take him with you when you go.

I am 65 years old and have never known Everton outside of the top flight. I beg the board to act now. Check the last five games we have to play in the run-in. Please don't leave it too late to act.

Once Benitez is fired, can he please take Keane, Coleman, Rondon, Iwobi, Davies, Delph and Gomes with him.

I know he's only had two games, but Mykolenko looks inept already.

Get Duncan in as the interim and get us playing with some passion again. Then take some time and consider the next appointment.

My pick is Christophe Gaultier at Nice. Last season, they beat moneybags PSG to the title; he is young and clearly a winner.

This was always going to happen, as soon as Benitez had a poor run, the pressure to sack him, because of his past, would be too great, he was always at bigger risk of being sacked than pretty much anyone.

That said, I didn't expect the run to be this poor but how could the people who own and run the club not have foreseen this obvious risk?

I said at the time, if we are yet again replacing a manger by Xmas or just after, we risk falling apart as a club, if we have not already.

Right now no options look very appealing, we look chaotic and that's because we are. People like Potter would not come to Everton in our current dysfunctional form.

Ferguson may, out of necessity, have to play caretaker for a few games but are we seriously suggesting someone with no managerial experience anywhere, who is part of the regime that has led us on this run and unless he has zero input (in which case his experience is basically zero) is at least partly culpable, and who no other club anywhere has shown even the remotest interest in recruiting, is any kind of solution?

We need the very basics of someone who at least has managed, preferably in the Premier League, ideally who has kept poor clubs up. Of course Big Sam fits that category and while I'm not suggesting him, right now I'd take what he did that part season in charge.

Otherwise, Lampard if you want to be brave, or Javi Gracia is you want to be pragmatic. The latter isn't a long term solution but at least he knows how to conduct a relegation fight and maybe we could send Benitez the other way, out to the desert.

Danny

"Lets go outside the club. Go for someone with no connections who can come in and will tear it up"... What???

That may garner a little support among the cheer leaders, but those prepared to give it a little thought will know that Smith, Moyes, Martinez, Koeman, Allardyce, Silva, Carlo Fantastico and Benitez had no connections whatsoever to this club and have overseen a depressingly steady decline. If we keep doing the same thing we will keep getting the same results.

We are flying too close to the flame now. one day we will be burnt. We need to break the fuck-witted cycle of giving flavour of the month managers a fortune to not give a fuck.

I don't have a scooby about which appointment would be a good fit for Everton at the moment. Rooney and Ferguson in tandem may work as a short-term fix. Perhaps it is the right time for both of them to give it a go, I think the club will err on the side of caution in this next appointment and will likely appoint the person who is most likely to 'unite' the fan-base, even if that's at all possible in today's climate.

It's obvious that the 'big name' manager hasn't worked at Everton, neither has the up-and-coming outsider been sucessful. Then we have to consider the financial limititations that beset the club, it's difficult enough with money to turn the squad around, without it, you are at the mercy of the buying clubs purchasing your most useful assets and then being savvy enough to add cheaper but adequate replacements.

I don't believe there has been a more difficult period to take the reins at Goodison, any manager is on a hiding to nothing – unless Everton get really lucky in this next appointment, we may have to go through this whole process a few more times before we say goodbye to Goodison Park.

Perhaps, appointing a backroom staff packed with former players is distasteful to some fans, but I can't see any other way that the club can get its identity back and at least give the supporters some sense of belonging again.

Good posts from Bobby Mallon and John Daley. The attitude from the media towards Rooney has for years been anti working class and anti-Liverpool (the city).

He was a wonderful footballer, one of the best I have ever seen. As our coach, he would have the advantage of managing players who are not fit to lace his boots. He has managed Derby County with integrity and skill.

Maybe he isn't the right man but he deserves more from Blues than parroting of the obnoxious snobbery he has endured the Everton hating media. Benitez, Bilic, Bruce, someone we have never heard of... or Rooney?

I'd take him right now.

I only wish players would take some of the blame along Benitez. This bunch apart 3-4 are serious proffesional manager-killers, not footballers!

Whoever comes will inherit a spineless team. So much drama backstage takes the boredom away because our football is trully boring and tedious, week-in & week-out.

If he goes then it is par for the course, not just at Everton but for all managers who cannot prevent a run of bad results especially right now when the relegation zone looms..

We could say he had an excuse at Newcastle and maybe even here with the vital players getting injured but somehow the intensity and desire seems to have gone from this squad with very few players showing any consistency.

Bringing in Gray and Townsend has been the only real plus for Rafa but the Rondon signing was awful.

Every game becomes a cup final now and, no matter what happens manager-wise, it's going to be one hell of battle to halt the slide.

Rob @ 190.

Until you flagged it up, I missed Bill Rogers' disparaging remark aimed at our away support. A contemptible comment, Bill.

Even in the dross of this season and again yesterday, you hear in the commentary that Everton sold out its away ticket allocation. Again. They put those in charge of Everton to shame with their devotion to the club.

Any video or photo links (anyone) to the pitch invaders yesterday? The live TV cameras did that thing of not showing any pitch invaders so no idea how close they got to the dug out and Rafa-soon-to-be-ex-Gaffa.

I kind of expected that when I read back Darren. Looking at all those question marks, I hope you didn't spit your coffee out!!

It probably doesn't tie in and articulate what I said on Lyndon's match report.

Yes, we need something now. Interim and I don't care who that is. Just get us past the post.

But come the summer, we need to implement a strategy and structure that goes beyond the next first team manager / coach and they effectively become deflectors as your list indirectly highlights.

Not averse to Rooney by the way. Forget his boyhood roots, almost all of his professional football career has been elsewhere and he's taken the step to go and coach / manage. It's just the timing might be too soon.

Although he has good Championship experience.

I know what I'm trying to say, so glad ypu could read between the lines and my caveats Brent!

If I haven't already, Jamie & I thank you for yesterday. Genuinely by the way!!!

Every hour that passes without confirmation is another nail in the coffin.

In time, I fear we'll look back at the Covid postponements as the “Oxford turning point in reverse”. I think Benitez would have lost them, and the new guy may have had January spending.

It was clear even before then that this was a bad situation. Moshiri clinging to a hope it was just 1 or 2 injured players was simply stupidity of the highest order. The only thing exceeding that decision will be any further delay here in making a change.

Well, the decision to sack the Director of fFootball first was pretty dumb too, but I think Brands fell on his sword the second he publicly uttered “You think it's just the players?”.

Anyway, the next week will be the biggest in recent our history. We need Benitez out, a new guy in, and an inspired centre-midfield signing adding too. Fail in any one of these 3 areas and I feel that we are genuinely doomed, and heading to Championship.

The need to act fast is key, Ferguson is a risk - but he's there and can act now. If he can keep us up, they can take all the time they need for the “strategic review” in the summer, and appoint the right DoF/Manager combo then. I still think the Mancs will run Rangnik out of town before summer, and also feel a trophyless Arsenal would release Arteta too.

Anyway, that's ahead of myself. The fate is written, Farhad, the window to change it is minute.

Jay #232 - you beat me to it! As a fellow traveller to away games, I think Rob has every right to be miffed.

There's an photo of the pitch invader here
Link

I was willing to disassociate Benitez from them across the park and give him a chance. We all knew he was going to get less time if it went wrong and turn toxic.

For what it's worth I don't believe Digne is good enough to be a top fullback in the modern game. I'm not saying what we have signed is the answer, or selling him now was prudent, but he is not quick enough and his form has been awful for over a year.

The club needs a clear out. From top to bottom. I used to work for the club when Moyes arrived from Preston. I was a huge fan and, aside from a few welcoming individuals such as Ablett and Irvine, I was treated with suspicion and contempt. The club is so entrenched in it's own tradition it can't embrace change. Even when it's necessary.

We need someone to shape a playing philosophy and we need to get a manager to be the badge and flag waver of that philosophy. It needs to radiate through the club at all playing and coaching levels.

Long have we been the destination for players who aren't quite good enough for the top 6, but come to us at a premium. The financial best of the rest.

Until that resistance to change remains at this club we will continue to see managers come and go, and the clubs fortunes fluctuate between mediocrity and flirts with relegation.

Has he gone yet?

It's all supposition if not.

And for what it's worth I think Rooney would be a decent shout but not immediately, and despite his character evaluation by many I think there is too much respect between him and his current squad for him to simply walk away from Derby. He'll see it out - for better or worse

And Fran @ 217...

"His next step should be a higher level Championship side, pushing for promotion and dealing with expectations and pressure."

If he keeps them up, that might be Derby next season.

Danny #233,

"I know what I'm trying to say, so glad you could read between the lines and my caveats, Brent!"

No probs, Danny. Not difficult.

"If I haven't already, Jamie & I thank you for yesterday. Genuinely by the way!!!"

You have, Danny. I'm just sorry I'm culpable in helping you and Jamie to witness y'day live. Regards to Jamie BTW.

Followed this club all over the country and Europe in my 60 years.

Seen the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Right now, I'm past caring, I've no more energy, passion or commitment left in me.

RIP, Everton FC.

The one emotion missing from the whole club is passion, it's been missing from the club for a long time.

Duncan brought it back for that Chelsea game, helped by a very passionate crowd. It came back for the last part of his third game in the League Cup tie with Leicester City but in the fourth and last game of Ferguson's period in charge against Arsenal, all the passion had gone in a very listless and dreary game with both teams deserving to be booed off the field in a 0-0 draw.

That passion came back in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal this season but had been missing before that game and since. The only people who are passionate about Everton FC are the fans, especially those who travel up and down the country season after season, and are given scant thought by those who run the club and by quite a lot of the players who play for it.

The club has been dying on it's feet for years and only the fans have stopped its demise and burial; get ready for the wake soon if big changes don't come soon.

Rooney, Dunc and Cahill.

Someone commented on the first pitch invader, he said the guy had obviously had a few drinks but suggested that even the invader covered more yards than Rondon.

I haven't cross-checked to confirm if some posters are suggesting Duncan Ferguson should assume the reins, but at the same time dismissing Wayne Rooney on moral grounds.

Personally, I have doubts about both as replacement manager, but it's a bit rich to accept one, but disqualify another on 'moral grounds.'

Big Dunc did jail time. Wayne was an unfaithful mongrel who shamed himself, his family, his wife's family.

Neither of their historic indiscretions should qualify or disqualify them as managerial candidates. It should be judged on their performance in the actual job of football management.

And on that criterion alone Wayne is the better candidate.

John Daley's two links @ 164 to Wayne Rooney's post-match interviews make good listening.

Yesterday, another poster derided Wayne as having the brain of a goldfish.

In the two interviews Wayne was concise, incisive, eloquent, honest. No uhms or urrs or hesitancy.

Fran @ 217 says while Wayne is doing an admirable job at Derby 'he's under basically no pressure.'

Dunno about that Fran. Minus 21 points starting position. Club ownership unresolved. No money. Players being sold or their contracts terminated without notifying the manager 24 hours before playing games in which he has prepared them for, including the departing players. He is performing exceptionally well in the most extreme of conditions. And STILL getting results.

One comment he made in John's links really resonated with me.

'Since I was appointed manager I made it clear I wanted characters at the club. People I can count on on the pitch, no matter what the circumstances. I've got that.'

That ticks a HUGE box of just what is needed at Everton FC. Now, and always.

Jesus wept, talking about Rooney as manager! If Benitez is sacked, I'm finished with the club, because it's become a case of mob rule now.

We get a run of poor results and it's "Sack the manager" again, it's become rediculous. Like who the hell do you suggest, Father Christmas.

Watford have a title winning manager now, fat lot of good that's done. Newcastle ditto have changed the name on the door for what good that has done.

We've tried half the managers on the planet, it's the players who take to the field. By common consent, we started the season with a very moderate squad.

Now it's panic stations again because we are 15th. We've been rubbish in the transfer market – that's 90% of the problem.

The fascination with the trendy-named managers has got us nowhere and the best atmosphere we've had at Goodison in the past few seasons was Chelsea under Duncan.

I think we give it him at least short term: get the passion required to steer us to safety and re think in May. Rooney has to be a serious contender. I can't see how this is the time to bring in an outsider.

The nightmare scenario of relegation becomes increasingly more of a reality with the seemingly endless dithering over the dismissal of Benitez.

In the event that Duncan Ferguson is not given the reins as caretaker, arguably serious consideration should be given to approaching West Ham for permission to speak to David Moyes to determine whether he would be prepared to consider returning to Goodison with the proviso that he would be in sole charge of all footballing matters. Hopefully he would agree to return to the club which he still regards as his spiritual home.

It is patently obvious that the current squad is woefully deficient. The transfer coffers are evidently pretty empty which exacerbates the crisis situation even more. Moyes has proved time and time again that he has the ability to unearth hidden gems at bargain prices and to motivate players to perform above their normal performance levels.

I anticipate that my comments may well alienate many contributors but desperate times call for desperate measures.

The club would love Baines to be brought back in some capacity. Met him loads of times in Formby and as nice and quiet a fella you could hope to meet. That alone ticks the blue boxes.

Rooney for me as he will be a fresh start and he might just have the X-factor. Ferguson I fear could be a bit limited in the medium term.

Those saying no to Rooney because he transferred to Man Utd need to get a grip... wasn't he a 17-year-old boy and we needed the money to stave off bankruptcy!

So who's next? Ferguson, the guy who made it clear he doesn't want the job but has been happy to sit next to the seven men who did as they all failed. Presumably none of that failure had anything to do with him. After all, he has a tattoo of the club badge on his arm.

How about the guy managing Brighton. He's an up and coming manager looking for a bigger club challenge. Not like Moyes, Martinez, Koeman or Silva. Bound to be different this time.

How about a manager who has been at big clubs, won cups and league titles like Ancelotti or Benitez... err maybe not.

What about an experienced relegation dodger like Allardyce? Steve Bruce is available. Although I doubt we would like him because he's boring and by this time next year he would be out the door as well.

What about an old ex player like Rooney. Even though he left the club at the first opportunity and spent the bulk of his career at Man Utd? Has zero experience at managing a top flight club? So what he's a blue. Shouldn't that be enough? After all look how successful Lampard was at Chelsea before he got the sack.

Could we go full circle and get Moyes back. He's doing well at West Ham at the moment.

I think in the end they will just chuck a bunch a names in a hat, pull one out and take it from there. Since whatever parameters we use don't appear to make any difference at all. It's just pot luck and our luck is bound to change at some time.

I was given tickets for hospitality in the South Stand yesterday, they are still gratefully received.

The talk pre-game was the 'smart' money was all on us to romp home a few people had money on us 2-0 & 3-0 and I was being a bit pessimistic about our chances of keeping a clean sheet. I am not particularly loud but a lot of people knew there was a scouser there and they were genuinely nice and eager to talk.

The team was announced and my groans about Rondon were dismissed as again being unreasonable. EFC are playing two up top and would give them the run-around.

Half-time pint was greeted with big smiles and a consoling pat on the back for me but people were still bigging us up.

Full-time pints and you would think I had lost a relative. They couldn't believe how shite and dis-organised we were and why did we keep Rondon on so long. I could have gone back to the hotel pissed as I had so many offers of a drink.

Anyway, I am very welcome there as long as I bring our team to play them. None of the comments yesterday were vindictive or point scoring just nice people making comments.

Our away support, just below us to the left were amazing all game and kept the noise up all game. Just so Bill Rodgers @155 is aware. The "Sacked in the morning" chants was actually started by the Norwich fans and even our stand was joining in.

We were poor from start to finish and Benitez isn't the answer

John Daley#164, good post, and thanks for the links - very impressive stuff from Wayne Rooney.

Tony Abrahams,

They should have just listened to Bill Kenwright, Michael, because he's the one who knows what Evertonians really want.

Are you for real or is this sarcasm? If not: He's the twat that started the rot in the first place.

Guy @250.

Selling Rooney to stave off bankruptcy is an endicement of what a basketcase of a club we were and are under the old boys regime... Kenwright et al.

Nothing has changed with the addition of money.

If it is a straight choice between Duncan Ferguson and Wayne Rooney at this point in time, it's Wayne by a long way for me.

He has balls to put his head on the block and manage a lower league club to try and prove himself. He will be respected by players as a winner, also as someone who's a tough no-nonsense Evertonian scouser not to be messed with. Also many years under, and watching Alex Ferguson close-up can't have done any harm as to his managerial aspirations.

He's been an idiot in the past, but haven't we all to some degree? Only his transgressions get amplified by the foaming mouthed tabloids.

I don't want a saint, I want a winner. Or at least someone we can all rally behind with all important unity. Someone who can give us some pride back.

Fergusson didn't do too bad in the games he was in charge of but he is just another Kenwright Yes-man, as would Rooney be. The whole board needs clearing out as do the jobs for the boys lot. We need someone who wants to take the club forward – not just what they can get out of it. 😡

Sky Sports News on (mute), Radio Merseyside on, refreshing Internet regularly.

Why is he not gone yet?

If or when Rafa goes by mutual consent, I bet Moshiri pays him off out of his own pocket.

Ferguson will be okay for a couple of games but I would like to see someone who knows how to fire a team up and bring some passion to the play. Rooney? Maybe too early now... but at the end of the season... who knows?

Some people say that passion is not enough to motivate modern footballers but I disagree. Look how 'wound up' our neighbours are for every game. Where do you think that comes from? Yes, you're right – Klopp.

I think that Duncan has that passion and I think that Rooney does too. Get them in together.

Tony @256,

"He has balls to put his head on the block and manage a lower league club to try and prove himself."

Then maybe he should be left there until he does. As for being a winner, Koeman and Ancelotti were both major winners as players but I don't remember the players being anymore respectful to them. Players don't care what managers did back in the day. The only thing they care about is their own careers.

"He's been an idiot in the past, but haven't we all to some degree?"

No ,we haven't.

Chris @247,

I think that train has sadly left the station. But it is ironic that West Ham have now become the new Everton battling with the big boys for top 4, and Everton the new West Ham, battling to avoid relegation.

Moyes is a fine manager, but that statement challenges one of the core narratives on here.

"I don't want a saint. I want a winner"

In a fucking nutshell

Some of the holier-than-thou comments from the paragons of virtue who have clearly behaved immaculately throughout their lives are making my toes curl.

I don't mind he who thinks he's without sin making a complete Cheshire cat of himself by casting the first one. I just hope they stay the fuck away from anything to do with the selection of our next manager.

Jay Wood – well said.

On intelligence, Wayne is highly intelligent, he could always read the game and he could impart lots of technical stuff that he can personally do. Unlike most managers.

Jay #244,

The situation at Derby County was actually worse than you highlight. They started the season with a 12-point deduction and were making progress in overcoming that when they were handed a further 9-point deduction part way into the season. How totally demoralising that must have been.

Yesterday they won against a half decent Sheff Utd to move off the bottom. A long way to go and although I think it may be too early for us to appoint Rooney, there is little doubt about how well he is doing at Derby.

"If" Benitez has been sacked, it just demonstrates how banjacked this club truly is. Without doubt, he needed to go and most definitely should have went before the transfer window.

And that is what is completely bewildering, Moshiri must have sanctioned Benitez bringing in three signings and the outgoing of Digne.

It does feel as if the lunatics have taken over the asylum.

Sam,

As someone commented on the Z-Cars thread, it should be our new entry track.

"I don't want a saint. I want a winner"

But as a manager he's not a winner. Koeman and Ancelotti were winners as players; as was Lampard at Chelsea. Still got the sack.

Being a good player is no indication of whether you will be a good manager. How successful was Klopp as a player? Or Pep. Tuchel, Conte etc. Most ex-player managers are average at best. Some managers never played football at a professional level at all.

Or it could be us, Kim @238.

We have a good mid-table maybe Top 7 squad of players. What we also have is a meddling owner and managers that don't coach the players properly.

I really believe I could get this squad into the top 7 just by getting them fitter and getting them back to basic coaching. Football is an easy game, if you play counter-attack football then you need a fast outlet when you get possession. Having all your players defending corners is pointless. If you play pressing football then that starts with the forwards on the opposition 18-yard box.

On corners defend the posts – we have conceded so many goals because no one is on them. Attack the ball no more zonal, it only makes players lazy (thinking "I'm not going for that ball it's not in my zone") and stick 1 or 2 quick players up front as an outlet. Midfield, the heart beat of a team. first and foremost they should always be able to hassle and win their battles.

Being fit is the most important aspect of being a footballer. Especially these days and especially for your full-backs. Players know from a young age how to play football, managers just complicate the game.

Let the team play football with the correct personnel. Pass and move, it's not a new thing how Man City play – it's football basics.

If Moshiri had any bollocks he'd make it a tripple sacking and tell Kenwright and Barrett-Baxendale to clear off with Benitez.

They can take their sidekicks in Ferguson and Unsworth with them.

I'd challenge that Andrew Clare.

I don't think Ferguson has Klopp's managerial ability - well he hasn't shown it over a sustained period to date and he's 50 now without a manager appointment to his name, so hardly "young and hungry"; a trait many call for. Compare that to what Klopp has achieved in Germany and England, who is only 4 years his senior.

Rooney is an unknown in the managerial context. I'd like to see how he goes. The timing and situation doesn't feel right, but I'm more open to that one.

It's always interesting how truly great players transition to management. Some do it (Cruyff). Others (Guillet) struggle, because what is natural to them can't be explained or they can't explain it. It just is. It just happens. Why can't you do it? So they can't coach because they don't know how to, but not because of lack of will or desire if that makes sense?

Don't forget, Anchlotti wanted (and apparently still wants) Ferguson at Real Madrid, plus he's one of the most qualified coaches in the country.

Give it to Duncan Ferguson on a permanent basis; if he's put in charge on a temporary basis, the usual slackers (which Fergie will have the measure of) will just shrug their collective shoulders and say "He'll be gone by May".

If he's a failure, well, he's just one in a litany of failures, but he may just surprise a few people. You must separate the player from the coach, as a player it was put it up to big Dunc; as a coach, he'll need to be a bit more sophisticated.

But if you listen to anyone who knows him, they will testify to a deep thinker about the game, and anyway Pep was recruited from within and he turned out okay.

Mike (254),

pure sarcasm. Tony dislikes “That Twat” more than you and nearly as much as me.

Mike @254, sarcasm obviously but also with a big massive dose of irony, unfortunately.

Personally, I don't think Duncan is the long term answer and it is too soon for Wayne but, if Benitez goes before the Villa game, it has to be Dunc in for that one – surely he will get them fired up for a game against Gerrard.

My long-term answer is Potter... Harry or Brian would do better than this dinosaur!

At least we've the comfort of knowing that, whatever the decision, “the Everton board always get it right”.

God knows who Moshiri and Usmanov are going to take advice from. Based on what they've done in the past 6 years, I've no confidence they'll get it right. Maybe we'll just get lucky?

Keep saying it, Roy Keane. The first player out the door will be Doucouré, he wouldn't put up with that headless chicken.

Then Keane. Iwobi, Holgate, Allan, Gomes, Davies, Rondon, Gbamin... before your first game.

Then Barrett-Baxendale, Ferguson and Unsworth, with Kenwright the day after.

And please nobody mention Martinez – the worst... he lived off Moyes's team for a season then fucked it up with his own style and team.

Septic Peg Peter

Only Everton could allow a manager on such a poor run to sign players that he wants. If he does get the sack, then the next manager will inherit even more players that he probably won't want to use.

Given that I live in the east of the country and rarely finish work in time to allow me to get to any Premier League matches, I often go and watch Peterborough Utd (20 minutes away) for my live football fix, so I have an interest in the Championship.

Not sure if anyone takes any notice of Coventry City but Mark Robins has them playing fantastic football. He has taken them from League Two to the upper echelons of the Championship in 4 years with virtually no money or home ground for a while.

I'm sure Kenwright will have the contacts, Danny.

I do Sean @280 and you are correct.

Fresh start needed; let's go for Fonseca. He's got a good record and he is available, apparently.

Recent Everton manager win percentages:

Carlo Ancelotti - 46.27%
Roberto Martinez - 42.86%
David Moyes - 42.05%
Ronald Koeman - 41.38%
Marco Silva - 40.00%
Sam Allardyce - 38.46%

Rafael Benitez - 31.82%

What a wrecking ball Rafa has been.

Maybe Martinez back isn't as daft as it feels…..just insist on a set-piece coach too.

I have no views or ideas on who might best take over the manager’s job. From the comments about Ferguson and Rooney, it seems highly unlikely there will be a consensus among the fans about anybody with current or previous links to the club. The same probably applies to any external candidates because there is no obvious ready fit among those who might be willing, able and available.

I hope we get a quick boost from whoever takes the job but fear it will be only a short term fix before performances and results drop off and the ‘told you so’ factions surface once again. We really are in a spiral of decline and it is very hard to see a way out of it.

The most successful manager the game has known did not take the hot seat until he was 55.

For me It's one of three for now.

Ferguson
Potter
Cooper (Forest)

Possibly Rooney but I think it's a little too soon.

Wayne Rooney is the only choice.

Tony #256

"I don't want a saint, I want a winner."

A reasonable comment.

"If it is a straight choice between Duncan Ferguson and Wayne Rooney at this point in time, it's Wayne by a long way for me."

Also a reasonable comment, Tony. His merits have been summarised already here.

Dave and Tony - thank feck for that thought you had turned 🥳🤣

Whatever happens vis-a-vis who gets the job long term, or if Dunc is given the reigns short term, we need another midfielder before the transfer window closes. Without Allan we were just not at the races against bottom feeders Norwich. It has been clear for a long time this is an area of extreme weakness at Everton.

I really hope sacking Benetiz is not going to impact bringing in somebody who can take the ball and drive forward. Look what Coutinho did yesterday for Villa. This is the type of player we are crying out for. Oh for a youthful Reidy!!

If we don't bring somebody in this position soon we are always going to struggle in the middle of the park. While not ideal, Lingard on loan would be an option.

No-one – and I mean no-one – will come to us at this stage of the season in the state we're in.

Rooney will see the season out with Derby, that's cast iron, he has that scouse integrity and loyalty in him, despite his personal failings.

Stop with this Potter thinking. Brighton are not getting relegated, we may, why the fuck would he leave a well run club for a basketcase?

Who is that, Darren?

So the club is going ahead with Big Dunc and Bainsey as the dynamic duo to get us through this.

Notwithstanding everything that's going on, but it would be interesting to see Dunc and Slippy in the dugouts next week.

Frank 261 - what time is your next service?

Tony 269 - good point.

Still no announcement?

I'd be doing everything possible to get Rooney on board by tomorrow morning.

Kunal @271.

That's what we all want, or at least the majority do. Moshiri so far can't or won't see the enemy within.

Definitely no to Rooney... You can imagine his press conferences.. erm.. erm... erm... erm.. erm.. erm.. erm.. erm... erm.. erm.. erm.. erm.. erm.

I'd sooner we had Benitez in charge than that Man Utd badge kissing, granny strumping, inarticulate lump. Rooney would relegate us. No doubt about it.

Public Health Warning – stay off NewsNow.

Full of tasty headlines suggesting the man has gone only to reveal the usual clickbait rumours masquerading as fact. Sportsmole is a classic example – talk about the blind leading the blind.

It comes to something when you decide not to believe any of this until it appears in the Echo.

Mark Molesley at Aldershot may well have the right stuff for us judging by his superb interview which has attracted a lot of interest online over the last day or so.

Ian 298,

As opposed to fockus, fockus, fockus we currently get off Benitez?

Any Everton fan wanting Rooney over someone like Graham Potter deserves all they get if it happens.

If our club had an ounce of ambition, they would:

1) Get a proper DoF such as Luis Campos (previously at Monaco and then Lille),

2) Let him find the coach who has the credentials to take us forward the same way he hired Galtier when he was at Lille.

3) Get rid of Kenwright et.al., Ferguson, Unsworth, etc.

But its Everton we are talking about. Its not gonna happen!

301 Jeff. Very Good!

I wonder what our new director has to say on the matter? Not sure about Baines taking over: too much Mr Nice Guy to slap these morons into shape.

It's, the most depressing times for all matters Everton.

It seems the board can't see, can't hear and are deluded. How can Everton FC, with a long history, be managed out to self destruction?

Big week, and even if on consultancy basis, to rally the squad, get some real football people whom cam motivate and create belief in themselves and the team. Playing like gutless cowards won't keep Everton up.

Yet again, the team took to the park at Carrow Road looking defeated before a ball was kicked.

Villa, Brentford and Newcastle are the biggest games of the season, to try and stop the rot. Everton on this form are going to be very lucky to stay up this season.

It will be interesting to see if Graeme Sharp, has any influence on what happens next, in view of new management personnel for the first team.

Terrible days for Evertonians.

Surely the bottom of the barrel that is Everton FC, is reached and it can't get worse.

Next game is massive and what better incentive that to smash Villa and put Slippy in his place.

That would be some achievement on current form, but they who dares, in football, does some times win.

Who will be in charge? God only knows.

Alexa: What football manager wants the Everton job? Alexa, Alexa!??

The guy for us would be Christophe Galtier, Not at the moment but maybe for next season if we cold persuade him to leave Nice.

Just need a change to get us out of the danger zone. I expect Ferguson to take over for the rest of the season. Not my favourite choice but should get enough out of this bunch to keep us up.

According to the latest reports, tensions had risen to the boiling point after the Everton board held crisis talks about FSW future last night + Picture.

Whats the holdup? Compensation? My arse, should have been written into his contract he fails he gets nothing. If he wanted the job that badly he would have accepted. Just about sums up the clowns running the show. Sacked nearly half a dozen and still giving millions to total utter failures.

Heres a tip to Moshiri the next man you hire how about "get us into a relegation fight with shit results and you get sacked – you walk away with just the thousands you have recieved in wages." I wouldn't be suprised if he remains.

On yesterday's game, why didn't he play the kid with pace upront with Calvert-Lewin? Pace is always a good foil for a bigman... but no, he plays Rondon whilst Dobbin wasn't even in the squad, that's even if Richarlison wasn't ready?

Ashley @291, we had a player the equal if not better than Coutinho – James. Benitez got rid.

Latest on Sky News is that, following a late-night board meeting, he is staying!!! Can't afford to sack him and pay compensation I suppose!

I like managers to be given time normally. Really conflicted on this one, he inherited a largely terrible squad of has-beens, no-hopers and never-weres... can you sack another manager for failing to get a tune out of these defeated and defeatist players...?!

On the other hand, he seems to have succeeded in six short months in further dividing and embittering an already divided fan base.

I have no idea what the right call is now, I just feel so sort of drained and apathetic about Everton these days...

Understanding Everton is a relatively easy process. Think of the most logical, sensible, well-thought-out outcome and we’ll end up with the opposite.

Shambles from Board to pitch. The only good thing about the club is US, the fans and supporters!

I’m taking the view that in five years we should be rid of Kenwright (too old?), most of the staff and players and be in a new ground. There’s also a good chance Moshiri will have sold out too.

I’m mentally bunkering down for five years 😂 fuck it

Ian Edwards @302

Agreed, or Ferguson long term.

Ian Edwards @ 298. This:

'Definitely no to Rooney... You can imagine his press conferences.. erm.. erm... erm... erm.. erm.. erm.. erm.. erm... erm.. erm.. erm.. erm.. erm.'

And there's me thinking goldfish only mouthed silently.

For some elocution lessons, try watching and listening to the Wayne Rooney interview links provided by John Daley @ 164.

You might like to test your numeracy skills at the same time and count how often he uhms, urrs or hesitates in two live interviews.

Challenging for you Ian, I'm sure, as it requires an open mind rather than a closed one to fairly assess the content.

Gone

He's gone.

Confirmed!!!! Phew

Just announced that Benitez has gone

Gone. Official.
What a disaster.
Ferguson in.
COYBs.

Let us now hope that they give it to Ferguson until the end of season. The sooner we are relegated and stop this decade-long crap, the better.

It's official?

THANK CHRIST

Officially confirmed on club site.

Benitez Departs as Everton Manager

Now let's get it fucking right!

Jay 314. If you search Rooney onTwitter there are many post match interview videos jam packed with 'erms'.

There are also Darren Farley videos portraying Rooney as an idiot.. calling his team County Derby, wearing an NFL helmet and eating beans and waffles.

Suggests his reputation is that of an idiot. Why is that? If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck then chances are it is a duck.

Gone

He's gone. Confirmed.

Adios. Ya RS Kopite bastard!

EFC:

"Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as First Team manager.

Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the Club with immediate effect.

An update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course."

Thank God

So Ian.

You are swayed by Darren Farley skits (Darren friggin' Farley!) that Wayne Rooney is an incoherent eejit?

And you have the gall to say Wayne has the brain of a goldfish?

Right...

Ian #324 you sound like a duck.

Brands gone, Benitez gone.

Kenwright and Barrett-Baxendale next please.

Boom - Fat Sam by breakfast .

Interesting it said a "permanent replacement will be announced soon". Who? Wayne or Dunc? I can't see them moving any quicker for anyone else.

Not exactly an outpouring of grief is there?

I don't care how long it takes, but this time let's hope they make sure it's the right man.

Next. The search for Moshiri's apprentice continues.

It's official – he's gone.

You think there might be a chance that this was on the cards for a while and they had someone lined up?

Rumours on Derby County fan pages that Rooney is on his way.

'Permanent' at Everton means 12 months or less.

Rafasagonna - official new backup GK.

Anthony #333.

Not a cat in hell's chance of that. The animosity directed towards him will still be fresh in the minds of Moshiri and Kenwright.

It was exciting looking forward to who the new manager will be the first few times after all those years with Moyes.

But it’s no fun any more.

Worst manager in my lifetime. Didn’t think it was possible to beat Walker and Allardyce in that regard, but he managed it.

Doubt anyone is lined up given our recent transfer activity, Moshiri doesn’t even know what he’s having for tea tonight never mind who’s managing his businesses tomorrow.

When your RS mates start giving you grief about revolving doors, just point out that, since 2000, we've only had two permanent managers more than they have.

We had no option, nothing in his 6 months suggested he had a clue about what he was doing.

I remember the last days of Walter Smith's disastrous reign. I wrote to Boys Pen Bill (I was in The Pen when he was there) and voiced my concerns about the situation we were in.

Give Kenwright his due – he wrote back and reading between the lines I got the impression Smith's days were numbered. Shortly after we went to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup and were blown away 3-0 and that finished Walter.

Before the appointment of Benitez, I wrote again (no reply this time) and suggested Duncan as manager but on one condition: that Tim Cahill comes on board as Assistant Manager. I believe Tim would crawl over broken bottles to get back to our club.

Put them two in charge and they would get 100% effort guaranteed out on that pitch.

Rob @344 I was not serious :) -

I know one of his lawyers (fondly known as Pikey Bob) and if it was on I'd get a text. I ignored it last time as I thought it was a wind up.

Sacked by a small club, how humiliating... haha!

Luke #339, "You think there might be a chance that this was on the cards for a while and they had someone lined up?"

Luke, you might well be right. In which case, they wouldn't announce a replacement at the same time as firing Benitez - that would look as if they'd been manoeuvring behind his back (which they very possibly have!).

You could well be right.

Rooney.

If Rooney comes in, I give up.

Delighted, even if it has come weeks later than perhaps it should have done. Now get Rooney in!

Luke, behave!

I wonder how Lucas Digne feels now?

Knowing Moshiri, the manager he goes for will probably be Graeme Souness.

Ian #359

Probably bloody relieved.

So on to the next saga. Let's hope this is a turning point and with genuine hope and belief, we need some good news for the Evertonians.

Rooney for me with Cahill and Ferguson twatting shithouse players at half-time in the changeys, love these snobs slagging Rooney's intelect because he comes from a council estate, look at the kip of our fucken Prime Minister!

Get shut of Denise Barrett-Baxendale next please and get some real business people on board.

Looking at how short and to the point the club statement is, maybe Digne wrote it before he left.

Jay 330. You ignore the first part of my post. Rooney would relegate us.

I have no faith that the club will appoint the best man for the job.

Kasper Hjulmand Is favorite with the bookies.

Does it matter who we get? Already, people are arguing "Nah, not him" at others' suggestions.

What we need now more than anything, is a short-term fix to steady the ship. We need fans uniting and getting behind the team; make no mistake – we are well and truly in the shit.

Whether Dunc comes in, or anyone else, we have to stop being experts with our Fantasy Manager and accept that, whoever comes in, we have got to back them and try and lift the team.

I thought Rafa was unlucky with the pile of shite he was left with and injuries, but then whatever support some of us were giving him, his persistence in playing Rondon, then 5 at the back against a Championship team, nearly cost us a cup run.

Not sure if it was Brentford or Brighton away, 1-0 down and he refuses to bring attacking players on.

So his own stubbornness has finally bit him on the arse. I was one of those giving him backing and hoping the players coming back from injury would kick start us, but the most baffling for me is bringing El Ghazi in, putting him on the bench, then not using a third sub made absolutely no sense.

Then it hit me: Benitez did not want him, so stuck him on the bench as a two fingers to Moshiri.

Rob said it was 95/5 split on Benitez, I would have a guess it is now 100% against and would be surprised if he now has any support left; yesterday was the last straw for me.

Someone tongue in cheek said Gray and Keys, I would go a step further and say Andy Gray, with Peter Reid as number two. It will not happen but by hell that dressing room would be fun to set up a secret microphone.

He's gone!

The first manager to be sacked by both Everton and Liverpool!!!

Thank God for that.

Now things can only get better, can't they?

Craig! Not on oddschecker he aint!!

Ian 365 - why do you think that?

TBH if Benitez had used his players logically, as most of us could see, he'd probably still be carrying on. Rooney would unquestionably know and see that, and implement it. There would (should) be no question about respect from players – especialy if he works as a proper team with Duncan Ferguson.

Mike Bassett just installed as 3-1 favourite

Just thankful that Jerome Shields post, which I can't seem to find now, didn't come true.

He stated clearly that Benitez would be kept on and allowed to build a team!!

Brian #368, good post but there will always be a difference of opinion coupled with the excitement of who is next.

What contract is Rondon on, anyone know?

371. Kim. Because he is thick as mince.

Don't we usually thank mangers in the club statement after we fired them?

A lot of damage done in such a short time but far too many equally guilty people, both on and off the field, still haunting the place.

Frank Sheppard comedy club just opened.

But they must recognise that Benitez is only part of the problem.

Ian @ 365. This:

'You ignore the first part of my post. Rooney would relegate us.'

And you, Ian, ignored the indisputable evidence offered by John Daley's links in which Wayne is eloquent, incisive, concise, honest and without ANY of the hesitancy you attribute to him.

Your counter is to reference Darren humourless Farley take-offs of Wayne as supporting evidence of your character assassination of the man.

I repeat: and YOU label Wayne as having the brain of a goldfish..?

And just to put you right on another thing, Ian. I haven't advocated Wayne should be our next manager. Just expressed an admiration for what he is doing at Derby in exceedingly difficult circumstances.

Ian, I think in a footballing context he's probably Isaac Einstein to your Mr Bean.

Ian (379),

That is as maybe – but he udoubtedly has a "footballing brain" and that is what we need in a coach/manager – or do you believe that his undoubted current success at Derby is all down to luck?

There is a lot of English talent out there Alan Pardew, Tim Sherwood, Phil Brown, Neil Warnock, Sean Dyche, Nigel Pearson.

There is a lot of English talent out there Alan Pardew, Tim Sherwood, Phil Brown, Neil Warnock, Sean Dyche, Nigel Pearson.

Sky reporting we are looking at Martinez, Rudi Garcia, Lampard, Rooney and Big Dunc in Charge till end of Season! Make of that What You Will!!!

I've heard that someone already at the club had a private meeting with Moshiri when the owner was in Liverpool near the end of last week but kept it to himself, well he thought he had kept to himself!!

I wonder if the replacement was being arranged a lot sooner than before the Norwich game?

Bill wins again. You have to hand it to him, the fella is a true wizard. The three-card trick every time.

At least with Rooney, there would be passion, and attacking football.

Steve 387,

Nigel Pearson built a Premier League winning squad!

I think the most sensible, and probably the safest, move to make would be to put Ferguson and Baines in charge until the end of the season. Ferguson either knows quite clearly what the problems are, or he's part of the problems. Nobody really knows 100% which it is.

I feel and hope that he's NOT part of the problem and think he'd be able to instil enough fight in the players to get us safely through the season. Baines is a very, very intelligent man and I feel he would be a good foil to Ferguson.

The only worry I have is that they wouldn't be allowed to do the job that needs doing due to interference from "another" or "others".

I hope Mykolenko shakes his nerves off soon. Now it don't look good that Benitez let Digne go and then..

I believe we've yet to see the confidence shine in Mykolenko when he settles his head 100%. We need that spark of hope at left-back in this mess, and other sparks that we know Dunc can bring likely in the interim.

Absolutely delighted, totally the wrong fit for Everton, now piss of back to Caldy and don't darken our doorstep again!

Jay @383, I agree with you about Rooney and the job he is doing at Derby.

PAELLA TITS HAS FINALLY GONE!!!!

I’m off to town to get legless.

Until I remember that we’ve now gotta find number 7.

You’d need your head testing taking the Everton job and working with this mercenary squad of shitbags under the watchful gun of Moshiri.

He Makes Abramovich look patient.

I just hope we get this right or we’re fucked and down.

Steve Brown, you left out Roy Hodgson.

Minik - if rumours about Baines are true, at least Mykolenko will have a good mentor.

Keep that idiot chairmen well away from the selection process. Grow a pair, Moshiri, and tell him he's surplus as well.

Sky Sports News reporting Potter is 6th on the list.

Sky now saying Potter is also under consideration.

Apparently a 6-man list at the moment.

Rooney? Fergie? Woy? Frank L.? Come on! We can do better than that surely.

Understand amongst the names being considered:

D Ferguson
Graham Potter
Roberto Martinez
Rudi Garcia
Frank Lampard
Wayne Rooney

Alan Myers

Opening the bottle of wine now to celebrate.

Let's not rush into anything, Duncan & Unsy till the end of the season. Hopefully Unsy can sort out the defense & no Zonal marking please.

Leeds on 22pts now...

Steve, we don’t want Alan Myers!

I bet he's walking across Stanley park to the RS, laughing his tits of. Hey boys for 6 months of doing nothing I got a few million quid pay off from that shit football club, both Sammy and I managed to mug them off.

Stephen, and Alan Curbishley, now I think of it.

Rooney is managing a team in the bottom half of the Championship. Even taking into account the points deduction, they would be mid-table. That is the extent of his managerial experience.

Should we also get Darren Ferguson from Peterborough or the managers from Birmingham or Huddersfield?

Stop being fucking silly.

Rondon on a £42k a week contract (according to reports) until June 2023, will be the happiest man on the planet knowing he will probably have to do sweet fuck-all to earn it, thanks Rafa, you....

Kenwright to go next.

Alan Myers would make it interesting, Rob!

I think whoever gets the job now, we can all honesty say that certain players are not fit to play for Everton. If Rafa has done anything, it is to turn what was already highlighted into a beacon!

The next manager must be given time, something Rafa could never afford. Reaching safety first of course, is a priority, by hook or crook, but after that, patience is what is required.

The worst appointment in our history by a long way. That's quite an achievement considering how bad Allardyce, Koeman, Silva and Martinez were.

Only Ferguson until the end of the season can save us now. Ride the wave of passion and aggression he will bring and then make a considered choice in the summer.

Kunal #408.

He's actually staggering around West Kirby marine lake as we speak, pissed as a fart and throwing tenners in the air.

I managed to grab a couple!

Dave Abrahams don't bother racing over he'll be well gone by the time your Morris Minor gets here.

Maybe we should take a punt on Ted Lasso.

What a shambles club, we have become a laughing stock.

So the next time the so-called travelling army start shouting for blood, we sack the manager!

How long will the next guy last?

Please not Bobby Brown Shoes again, absolute joke of a manager... no, no, no.

Surely, the reference to a permanent appointment being announced in due course means that this will be fairly soon. It wouldn't make sense otherwise, we'd just say that Ferguson was taking over until the end of the season.

I think it may well be Martinez.

'Stop being fucking silly.'

Oh, I think you've cornered the market for that, Ian.

"Should we also get Darren Ferguson from Peterborough or the managers from Birmingham or Huddersfield?"

Stop being fucking silly.

Didn't Rooney once play for a team in red, moving there because they were a bigger club?

I have absolutely no idea who could sort this mess out as Benitez was only a small part of a very big problem.

The worst run of results in recent memory and some dire football served up. The man had to go and shouldn't have got the job in the first place.

Please, no knee-jerk decisions... let's try and get back some dignity. No sympathy for Benitez – he brought it on himself, and his criticism of his players was unforgivable.

Temporary in-house solution until the end of the season would be the most sensible solution.

So much for the Everton way of doing things, as acclaimed by Bill Kenwright.

What a farce the running of Everton FC has become.

I wonder what big mouth Balugue has got to say today?

He was quick enough tearing into Everton fans after we signed the two full-backs, saying Rafa has Moshiri's confidence and full backing.

What a gobshite!!!

Jay 422. You are the one wanting a mid to lower table Championship Manager.

So glad he has gone. I had hoped it would work, even though I did not want him... but what a shameful chapter. Bizarre decision to let him apparently get shot of people, only to have been sent packing himself.

Perhaps he was after Bill next, so he disguised himself as the Assistant Referee?!

Neil 391, And lots of booze and plenty of bordel visits lol!

How this useless fuckin kopite dinosaur managed to get another job in the Premier League – let alone the top job at our club – is a disgrace. We've instigated public enquiries for less.

Whichever board members thought it would be a good idea to employ this fella should be named and shamed. It was always gonna end this way. I'm just surprised it was allowed to go on for so long.

Ian. Not advocating for rooney. But to say he's shit because Derby County would only be mid-table without the points deduction is a little short-sighted.

Derby can't even register loan or free players. They have cobbled together a squad of players. The players don't know if they will even finish the season, let alone if they will get paid. Yet gold fish brain has them playing as a team, attacking football and winning more than they lose.

FFS, I don’t believe what I’m actually reading on here. Seems some are now thinking sacking Benitez was the wrong move.

Sky now saying 8 man list Apparently The Board now considering Boris Johnson and Prince Andrew ! 😂😂😂

The Dunc for me... but he will need help and some luck.

We must still bring in a mobile ball-winning leader for the midfield as a matter of urgency.

It is a must for the relegation fight we are now in.

This entirely predictable saga comes to an end in the only possible way it could have.

"Ill-advised" is the phrase used in the article above, and that's exactly what it was.

Hopefully this is our nadir and lessons are learnt. I somehow doubt it though.

Well this is the list apparently:

D Ferguson
Graham Potter
Roberto Martinez
Rudi Garcia
Frank Lampard
Wayne Rooney

Ian,

Rooney only had 6 players a week before the season started. He has cobbled together a squad of journeymen and youth players and has only lost a handful of games and overturned a 21-point deduction. He is doing a brilliant job

There is still half a season to go so anything can happen. We really are a shambles of a club and it is really important to have a total rebuild including a board that has shown they haven't got a scooby.

Ian @ 430.

'Jay 422. You are the one wanting a mid to lower table Championship Manager.'

Absolutely cracker! I have to conclude you have the attention span of - well - a goldfish, I suppose.

It's already faded from your memory that I categorically wrote @ 383:

'And just to put you right on another thing Ian. I haven't advocated Wayne should be our next manager. Just expressed an admiration for what he is doing at Derby in exceedingly difficult circumstances.'

🐠🐠🐠

Does anyone know the list?😂

Who would have thought that managing such a small club would prove to be too big a job for Benitez? The only managers to have performed worse for the Club than Benitez were HK Mk III & Walker, both of whom managed to escape relegation on the last day of the season.

As for replacements, I'm assuming those alleged to be "running" but actually ruining the Club have not got a scooby between them. I wonder if Lee Carsley is in consideration, I'm sure they could, & probably will, do worse.

No sense of relief because the executive have chosen poorly pretty consistently over the last 5+ years.

Ferguson as a stop-gap seems reasonable but, if they are seriously considering Martinez, we are in rough waters!

Sean Roe (#424),

I agree there's fundamental problems pre- Benitez, but not being able to defend set pieces despite Anchelotti sorting it out the season before.

Continually playing 2 in midfield and being constantly overrun in midfield. Not starting on the front foot in the age of gengenpress.

Setting up teams not to lose was suppose to be Benitez's forte, Moyes did it with no money whatsoever, albeit playing anti-football.

I don't like changing managers every year but Benitez was the wrong choice, and please not Mohrinho, another manager playing old football.

Allardyce has been invited to Moshiri's yatch for dinner this evening. Could be just a coincidence.

For those who are discontent with Benitez getting sacked, just remember we have only managed 2 wins since September!!!! And we're hovering above the relegation places.

He's gone.

Looking for a replacement anchor, Pat.

How’s the strategic review going?!

Pat:

"Allardyce has been invited to Moshiri's yatch for dinner this evening. Could be just a coincidence."

That's one way to reduce the size of the short-list! Check the life belts, Sam.

400 days of Allardyce & Benitez. Club has no standards. Big shit stain that will never be removed from the club's history.

Thank God they did the right thing and sacked him. We were getting worse and worse by the game, and I think it would have been a deffo relegation if they had kept him...

I think Big Dunc, temporarily til the end of the season, and Baines as assistant sounds wise also... We should reach 40 points solely on the energy that Dunc brings and craves from his players... 40 points is what matters right now, not the way they are attained...

COYB, let's get out of this abysmal rut and start winning some games!

Roberto Martinez... for fuck's sake! Well at least he'd hit the ground running because we already can't defend. Last time, it took him a season and a half to get to that position.

Kevin @211,

Rondon on £45k a week as is Begovic. Gray on £42k and Townsend on £48k. The real crime is the £92k Delph has been pocketing per week.

I'm glad that Kopite fraudster has gone, he is a poisonous influence and his tactics are laughable. I just feel relieved he has gone, we just need to stay up and start again.

The reality is we need a manager who's good at getting the best out of poor or okay players – not a manager who is only good at keeping good players playing the same... that's why Moyes was okay.

Fonseca maybe but Potter is a good shout. Feels a lot like Moyes and tbh we could do a lot worse as we've seen. Ideally, no ex-players as, while sentiment is okay, they aren't experienced enough.

Perhaps Farhad has lost patience and decided that Kenwright will coach whilst he himself acts as DoF (Joorabchian(?) for Head Scout).

After Saturday, we haven't got a Premier League game until Newcastle on 8 February. I just hope they take a few days to get the right man, I have no idea who that is, rather than panic (again)

Also, Leeds have just shown what a team can do with a manager who inspires them rather than Benitez who must have made them think like schoolboys who had to wait for his instructions to do anything. Perhaps they need to make sure that is a quality they look for.

Back to the fucking future. No Bilic, No Rooney, No Martinez. Do they never learn their lessons?

Harry Potter wouldn’t get us out of this mess, never mind Graham Potter.

Like a weight lifted off the shoulders. Never wanted him. He's cost us players, a DOF, and any pride we may still have had.

Duncan – Prove yourself.

Wayne Rooney's utter delight when Derby's 2nd went in v Sheff Utd... sprinting down the line, leaping in the air, aggressive fist pumping, beaming from ear to ear. The desire to be a winner is there... for all to see!!!

Jay. 443. You have more faces than the town hall clock. Your earlier post was fulsome in its praise for Rooney. You were overflowing in praise for the eloquence of his interviews and concluded by saying he ticked a lot of boxes for new Manager. Don't play word games Jay.

Please not Martinez, Rooney or Lampard! I would be devastated with any of those three. Martinez is quite possibly the worst manager we've ever had along with Mike Walker. Rooney and Lampard are too inexperienced to sort this farce out.

Ralph Hasenhüttl would be my choice; his team's play with a high pressing style and he's done a good job at Southampton under difficult circumstances, with little money to spend.

Ding dong the witch is dead.

Did I say 'witch'apologies, I meant prick. One arrogant prick of a man and quite possibly the worst manager in our history.

A huge sense of relief for me and here's hoping for a well-thought-out, ambitious appointment for our next permanent manager.

An absolute no brainer to let Duncan steady the ship until such time the right man can be found.

When Ancelotti left I felt like whoever we got would be an almighty step down. Now, I feel like whoever comes in will be a massive improvement.

Onward Evertonians. Time to raise a glass.

Richard 464#

Well I would certainly rather an Everton lifelong fan like Rooney given a chance, than an ex-redshite manager.

Breaking news: I've just heard from a source is that Roberto Martinez will be named Everton manager by the end of this coming week.

Apparently there are people at the club think the trigger was pulled too soon before he got big money.

I don't know how reliable this is but it's the same source that read Howe to Newcastle three weeks before it happened and Conte to Spurs.

Kunal @454, the manager who crippled the club (at least, most recently) was Koeman.

Jamie will be ecstatic. Given the circumstances, I'm in!

Shortest reign in the club's history, bye bye Benitez and tell ye mate Balugue to keep his uninformed opinions to himself, calling us out on Twitter, the gobshite.

Okay then,

Ferguson to get Goodison fired up for the visit of Gerrard.

I predict fireworks!

There can not be any question now that our only course of action is to appoint Big Dunc at least until the end of the season. Surely he has learned a thing or two over the years, especially under Ancelotti and I think the board would buy a lot of good will from the fans by making the appointment, whilst also limiting our financial exposure.

Right now we need someone who would unify the fans and get us excited about watching the game again and Dunc is the only person who can do that. We had one of the best managers in the world at the helm last season and he couldn't turn it around, so evidently we need someone who understands the DNA of the club first and foremost and is able to motivate players.

He managed to turn us around last time and I'll never forget the effort the players gave against Chelsea, after a number of totally inept performances that season. Plus he did that with Walcott and Iwobi on the wings and Gylfi and Schneiderlin in centre mid, imagine what he could do with Gray, Townsend and Gordon out wide and a much more solid midfield than that.

Might even get something out of Rondon as well (although that might be asking a bit too much). The only criticism that can be leveled is that maybe he could be more tactically minded but appointing a savvy assistant manager. Seems like an absolute no brainer, let's hope Moshiri makes the right call at the right time.

At least Prince Andrew would get something out of the younger players...😊

Duncan and Gerrard on the touch line next Saturday.

If he says a cross word to you Duncan, deck him.

This is fucking eerie.

Normally your phone would be pinging with news – fake or otherwise – or you would be swamped with rumour. My phones been dead for an hour. Nobody seems to know what the fucks going on.

Excitement and worry in equal measure.

Too late now, but IMO we should have kept with Silva a while longer. I have no faith in the decision makers of this club, so not sure anyone I would want would even be in the serious reckoning.

But I like what Wolves do when searching for a manager, they do their homework & research first, Sothampton also. Obvious names for me, Scott Parker and Frank.

I felt we missed a chance with Patrick Viera slipping to Palace, they have a buzz about them now.

I feel Rooney will want to see the season out with Derby. Personally I don't fit into this "We have only won things with managers that have played for Everton". We haven't won that much in the days of "football in colour" anyway.

This ex-player crap doesn't seem to stop Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd and Liverpool et al winning things.

I know he's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but I think Dyche would leave Burnley now. To me, they appear to have given up this season. In the short term, he would at least organise the side.

Jim @469,

I do hope that's not true, surely Moshiri is not that stupid. Kenwright will have his ear again though, that's a massive worry.

How about Micky Mellon from Tranmere?

He hasn't lost a game and they have only let in one goal since 23 November. The way they are going, they will take over the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in 3 years time.

Just joking, I think!

If we must continue this marvellous journey to surreal central, the new guy has to be an unknown from Kazakhstan who keeps peacocks in a big shed he calls "Jimmy's House". No other option exists in my book even though the applicant "Lizard Fondler from China" put up a reasonable case.

Jim @469,

I would welcome Martinez back but not as first-team manager.

I would have him completely restructure how the football side of the club operates, and I would let him get on with it, behind the scenes, with Rooney and or Duncan as the first team coaches, responsible for choosing the team and its tactics.

I don't think the answer is to go back to previous managers.

Give Ferguson the interim role until the summer and let him make a case for the job permanently.

Then we can focus on hiring a proper DoF who won't take any interference from Moshiri and Kenwright.

Jeff @458, I cannot argue with anything you said there, mate, straight to the point.

I wonder if he'd take a few quid for the magic laptop, with its comprehensive database of 3,000 players?

Anthony :-)

Here's my take. Benitez had to go. Regardless of his affiliation with Liverpool or the shambles behind-the-scenes, one win in 13 is not good enough for any manager and a change needed to be made.

This is especially true in light of the fact that we're not even competing in games. A squad missing it's best players can still look organised, passionate and well drilled and we've looked everything but.

Ferguson? Who only knows. None of us know whether he's a good coach or a good potential manager. We're not at Finch Farm every day. We don't know whether he's a real asset to the club or a millstone around our necks.

As for Bill Kenwright, I just don't know. What I do know is that, when Kenwright was the majority owner, we spent many years safely in the top half, challenging for Europe. The spectre of relegation never seemed to be an issue.

Yes he can be a PR nightmare and one hell of a luvvie but all I really care about is our performances on the pitch. Kenwright never had the resources to take us to the next level but I was never worried for Premier League survival.

Since Moshiri has come in, we've pissed money up the wall and are now in real danger of relegation for the first time in a long time. Since 2016, the buck has stopped with him.

Other board members and staff may have opinions but ultimately the choice of manager has been up to Moshiri … and he's gotten it so, so wrong time and time again. Allardyce and Benitez were arrogant appointments given the weight of feeling against those two men from the fan base.

I am always confused by how much hatred is directed towards Kenwright when it is Moshiri that has taken the club backwards. A shiny new riverside stadium will mean nothing if we're in the Championship when it bankrupts us.

So what next? In all likelihood it will be Ferguson et al in temporary charge. Either for a few weeks or until the end of the season. That much is a given. Then Rooney? I sincerely hope not. The wrong man at the wrong time, even if he one day becomes the manager we turn to.

Right now we need a safe pair of hands. We shouldn't be looking for someone who can lead us to glory, or even into the top half. Just someone who can steady the ship for a couple of years. We must learn to walk again before we attempt to run.

I can't offer any names but Moshiri has shown the arrogance and wilful disregard for fans' feelings that I believe he could turn back to Allardyce who, unfortunately, does seem to fit the mould of the type of manager we need right now.

Dunc and Baines, for Villa, would be good as a starting improvement in the team management.

I'm sure the players would walk on the pitch believing and playing for the Everton shirt, rather than playing like a Sunday morning ale house team, as for most of this season.

Nows the time to rally and take fresh hope, in one of the poorest runs of form in the last 42 years.

UTFTs! “Whats Our Name?”

Jeff, don't want to hear this again, do we………

Bill Kenwright: "What a manager!"

I don't see what the rush is. Surely it's a no brainer to put Duncan in charge for the Villa game, then there is a 2-week break.

Unless things have been going on behind the scenes, I don't see any merit in appointing someone so fast.

Jesus wept... Martinez one of the favourites, got to be a joke surely!

We have to go Rooney out of that list or Dunc.

Why on earth we are not looking at Christophe Gautier is beyond me.

All the names people don't wan't!

Football expectation and snobbery is a terrible combination!

Reality check:
We are skint
Squad is mid table at best.

Don't go back to a manager we sacked. Go with someone who can motivate, knows the club and fans. Nothing to lose now. Please, just keep us in the Premier League and I will drive the open-top bus in May!!!

Rob 489, if we had no choice but a former manager, I'd take Allardyce before Bobby Brown Shoes.

Rob, seeing that clip again is horrible. And Kenwright with his mitts around Moshiri's shoulder.

Loads of skunk fans saying Benitez should go back to them in one capacity or another. They are more than welcome to him. If he waits for another three weeks, he can come on the coach with me on a one-way ticket.

I think Jose Baxter would be a good appointment. Would keep Kenwright happy, “yes boss, yes”.

If not, then Lampard... Christine, that is!

Julian, Moshiri wants off the front pages. It's his urgency which somewhat epitomizes his style.

Who gives a toss what Carragher thinks?

Rob, seeing that again, it looks like it belongs on The Fast Show!

Has anyone suggested Alan Partidge yet?

Clubs don't like firing managers but, as in Benitez's case he simply encouraged his firing. Previous managers have been fired with better records and the amount of time Benitez needed to, as he says, straighten out 5 years of mismanagement, you don't get that amount of time in the Premier League. The players as well as the manager have to be culpable as well as the manager, and they should be told in no uncertain terms of that.

The problem now who can you hire that is available, to come to a club that fires its managers frequently, is a basket case from owner into the board.

I will not be surprised if a few of the present playing staff put in for a transfer and try to get out before the window closes.

Its easy to blame people in what is happening, but the problem will still remain the same. The people who will be blamed will still do the hiring and firing and that that makes me believe that ending Brands activity in the club as director of football was the wrong firing.

Where do we go from here? I think a temporary position until the end of the season with a more progressive manager given a contract that will be renewed after the end of the season going on results.

It will be very difficult to entice a more successful manager from his present club as, being honest, the only people who believe Everton are a great club are the ones that bleed blue blood, and that is us the supporters.

Sometimes we're in danger of forgetting. Let's hear it for those do-or-die warriors who, over the years, have served us so well on the pitch whenever the chips were down.

Managers may come and go (and indeed they do) but we'll always have these wonderful lads, honouring our history.

Brings a lump to your throat.

Waking up this morning to find out it's done. Definite sense of relief. And dread at the same time.

Reading through the thread, good shouts from Steve #140, Simon #141, Sam #151, Dale #154, Fran #185 on possible replacements.

John #164, thanks for posting those links. Rooney is perhaps worth a second thought. But doesn't it seem also like he's deeply committed to Derby and highly unlikely to jump ship right now? If principle is that important to him, can you really see him leaving them when he's so desperately needed there?

Steve #196, why? Why would Potter even consider hippity-hopping seven notches down the table into a situation like ours? And why would Brighton, which has him under contract until 2025 and is enjoying its highest success in 40 years, allow him to even listen to offers? The whole Potter idea seems ridiculous on its face.

Tony #212, you're the only one in this whole thread to ask that question. It's the first one that popped into my mind.

Question I posed last night: Any thoughts on who's in charge of our transfer business over the next two weeks?

Raymond Fox, all the best to you at whatever club you support next.

Our immediate concern should not be who we appoint for the next 5 years. It has to be who can keep us out of the Bottom 3 to the end of this season. If that person turns out to be permanent thereafter, so be it. If that person has to be a temporary appointment only, so be it.

He has one task, and one task only. Keep us up. And with the current squad of players, except for any further (cheapish?) signings during this window. Immediate impact of a new manager, new motivation. Beware the dead-cat bounce.

Annndddd again Ian @ 465. Proving yourself a very poor reader of what has actually been said by misquoting and misrepresenting.

The one post I wrote on Wayne (and Duncan) @ 244 opened with an observation about judging the two men on 'moral grounds.'

I explicitly wrote: 'Personally, I have doubts about both as replacement manager, but it's a bit rich to accept one, but disqualify another on 'moral grounds.'

Well done Ian for confirming exactly what I have already pointed out to you. That I praised Wayne for his work in trying circumstances at Derby.

Zero evidence to confirm your false claim that I have advocated that Wayne Rooney be our next manager, anywhere in this thread. Plenty of evidence to the contrary, however.

If you are trying to claim my closing comments in that post is evidence of me calling for Wayne's enthronement at Everton, then once again it only serves to highlight your extremely poor comprehension skills.

Keep fishing! I don't need to. You keep jumping into the net without me using any bait.

We should never have given Martinez the boot. That was a huge mistake in hindsight. He deserved a shot at spending some money once Moshiri had come in.

I’d have him back for sure, but not now, because I think he’s not the man for a relegation battle. However, I’d have him for the long term if somebody can keep us up this season.

From Paddy Power betting:

Everton 17/2 for relegation

Next manager
Rooney and Ferguson favourites
Roberto Martinez 4/1 third favourite

How the hell did it come to this? I certainly do not want Martinez. The shite out of his mouth would add insult to injury.

I would like Duncan for one match... v Gerrard.

JW@437 'The Dunc for me but he will need help and some luck'

Those are exactly the reasons why he should not get the job.

I would have Martinez back in a heartbeat given the other names being mentioned and the fact I can't see Potter contemplating this shit-show.

In a bizzare twist of fate, one of Raffa signing Gray will probably get player of the season, it’s a strange world.

Mike, the mad jock (having served a prison sentence for assault) against the DJ basher. Ding ding…….Round one!

Robbie on NBC/USA mentioning all the usual suspects, then trotted out Mou. Rebecca Lowe burst out laughing in his face.

Alan Partidge! Ha, ha!

How must Lucas Digne be feeling now?

Whatever your view of his importance to the club and his recent level of performance, one thing is absolutely certain. He would have gone straight back into the team against Villa and we would be greatly improved by his presence. You couldn't write it. Well, this is Everton... so you could!

You can not have anything but utter contempt for the arrogant, ignorant, hopeless fraud that is Benitz, and utter anger and bitterness that he will now get a huge payoff for being totally useless. Moshiri should hang his head in shame. We did know best. He should pay the tosser his blood money from his own pocket.

At least next week the team will know that they have 100% unencumbered support and the atmosphere will be electric. Can we please have a repeat of the performance against Chelsea when Ferguson was in charge.

I suspect it will be him again, and rightly so, at least in the short term. Longer term ? Let's see. The Toffee lady would be better than Benitez and there should be no rush to replace him if and until there is confidence that the right man is available.

My choice? I don't have one. The Toffee Lady maybe? Or, dare I whisper it, another hungry, talented manager (à la Moyes) who is proving himself in the lower leagues.

No doubt that will set the TW cat amongst the pigeons and subject me to derision from some. Hey ho. Am I bothered ? No. Not for the moment as Benitez has gone and at least Exeter Chiefs are finding their form. Just need Everton to do the same.

(Crosby lad, not a Devon dumpling)

Next please for the never-ending shitshow of Everton FC.

This was inevitable. I was one of the few that wanted to see what he could achieve if given time, but things were pretty toxic from the start.

His appointment was yet another example of our ‘tone deaf' owner making a very bad footballing decision.

Say what you like about Kenwright, but things were better when he was running the club on a shoestring.

If Ferguson gets the gig on a permanent basis, it's going to be based on his results over the next few matches – assuming he comes in as caretaker manager, as seems likely.

For anybody advocating Rooney, would you still be doing so if he had no previous links to Everton? He may be doing a decent job under difficult circumstances at Derby but if his name was Mike Jones we wouldn't be giving him a second thought.

As for Martinez, is he likely to leave Belgium 10 months before a World Cup?

When do we get a poll started on here?

Being a former Everton player should count for nothing in the choice of next manager. And, if he is not taking the job, temporary or otherwise, Duncan Ferguson should step aside too.

Sorry to be late for the party as I have been out all day!

As every other ToffeeWeb member has seemingly already had their say on the situation, I doubt I have much more to add other than wonder how the club owner could let this happen: hiring a Manager whose esteem at the club among supporters was self-evident by his nicknames of 'Beneathus' and 'Fat Spanish Waiter'!

Additionally, recruiting someone with a dire recent track record and whose main claim to fame was being there to watch Houllier's assembled team win the European Cup was always going to end in disaster.

One question though: Benitez (we are told) trumped Brands and got rid of our best full back due to a feud – presumably about Benitez's non-existent tactics.

Since then he dropped Allan and excluded him from the Norwich match squad – presumably for the same reason as for Digne, letting it be known that the club would welcome the player's transfer out of the club. Allan may not be the best defensive midfielder ever but he is a damn site better than most in his position.

So, what will happen to him or will it be a case of "baby out with the bathwater" as we clear the decks for a Championship season which will take pressure off the Board (presuming even we can win more games in the Championship than in the Premier League) and provide breathing space for rebuilding?

Does anyone know?

Neil, on top of what Digne feels now, he has Everton as opposition at Goodison to contend with next week. A test of professionalism indeed.

I bet he'll get a massive welcome as well.

Duncan @516.

Jeez, there's always one. Kenwright and Moyes year by year made us plucky and we should be grateful for the odd win vs the Top 4 while destroying a generation of fans who thought it normal to make up the numbers.

Not sure if maybe you are from out of the city so maybe your view of Everton is different but get a fuckin grip – he's a cancer at this club. End of. Kenwright Out!

James McFadden's just been on 5live. Worth a listen on catch up. He was asked by Stephen Warnock how Ferguson can be in contention when he's served under so many managers.

Worth listening to but, in essence, when you're not the manager, assistant/coach, you're simply following orders and the difference in responsibility between the two roles is huge. You can question decisions privately with the boss not in front of the team but you always give a united front.

Also goes into some detail on how the atmosphere in the club comes down from the boss.

5 Live Premier League Sunday

Barry # 520…

One thing I do know is that Allan was not dropped from the squad for yesterday. He was not available due to having contracted Covid.

I liked Roberto in his first season. The best we've played in years. However, he bought Niasse, Cleverley and McGeady. He cannot organise a defence and that is our biggest problem (out of many) currently.

The boil has been lanced but we have to address the underlying condition.

If we escape relegation and I really do mean if, close season the whole shit pile of a Board need replacing. Individually and collectively they are tainted with failure and not fit for purpose.

I don't care who comes in short term as long as we pull out of this position.
Leeds are now above us
Watford are as shit as us
Newcastle at some point will have a run-we had ours start of the season
Burnley and Dyche have been there countless times and know what's needed
Norwich are shit but can at least show effort

Regarding our pussies. They need to have a meeting Monday morning and have a real good luck at themselves as no way are they blameless. Our recent managers have been shit but these so called professionals have not helped them either.

Priority is escape then blood letting!

Martinez would have us rubbing shoulders with Wigan in no time. Useless can’t set up a defence to save his life.

Barry,

I'm just gonna call it incompetence, but if someone were to write a drama about a football manager as an infiltrator intending to compromise a club, the character would be very much in the mould of Koeman or Benitez.

Moshiri has apparently shortlisted Souness, Dalglish and Gerrard as potential successors to Benitez.

Julian [490]

I sort of agree, though there's a transfer window right now that won't last much longer.

I'll admit Benitez had my support for much of the time. I think we all know the mess we're in but too many want an instant solution, which just can't happen. It's too deep rooted. I was prepared to give him time because at least he was doing something about it with next to no money and not much more support from the fan base.

But there's a limit. And he passed it. I didn't understand some of his team selections (Rondon yesterday, for fuck's sake!). It would have helped if he'd at least explained, but he didn't. So the end became inevitable.

So now we get what the majority of TW scribes seemed to want – 6 managers in 5 years, more cash spent on compensation not players... I guess it had to happen, but seriously, is it going to be the answer unless we all get behind the next poor guy who takes it on? And therein lies the problem Here's a prediction. More than half of TW won't agree with the selection! We need a bit of a reality check folks! Oh well.

My thoughts? Zinadine Zidane. Won't take any shit. Knows what he's doing. Absolutely not gonna happen!

I'm in the 'please not Mourinho' camp. Ditto Bilic. Why should Potter want to come to us? Rooney – too soon. Ferguson? Love to believe it would work but we're in a crisis and he doesn't have the experience and tbh I'm not sure Moshiri would support him if he didn't do as he was told.

To be honest, there's not a lot of good names out there right now, though Lampard might not be that bad a shout. But we'll see. Great fun being am armchair FC owner, isn't it!

Duncan - stop it.

I may be in the minority, but I have no problem with the Digne transaction itself. He hadn't played well for us since the ankle injury over a year ago and certainly wasn't improving -- Godfrey was playing the position better than he was.

To sell him now for a good price and bring in three younger players on a combined salary less than Digne's seemed like good business to me, and it seems better now after watching Coleman's performance yesterday.

The situation was handled horribly, but the guy who did that is gone now.

From reading all the posts, it would seem that most Evertonians are as confused as the Board about who to appoint as a future manager. That should not be a surprise because most of us loyal supporters must have "Brain Freeze" brought about by just supporting a sinking wreck over the last few years.

I readilly admit to now being totally irrational regarding Everton. My thought processess have become warped to the point of being deluded. Any opinions I have regarding Everton should be treated with suspicion. I no longer have a clue as to who should try to manage this gang of football lunatics.

I noticed considerable venom in so many of the posts. Obviously nobody any longer has a clue about who to bring in. In fact we need a team of advisors such as "Monty Python and his Gang".

I will never give up supporting "The Blues" but it is becoming more difficult every day

Duncan will have them more organised and up for the fight because he knows no other way.

Probably 4-4-2, keeping things simple. We need lot's of changes, from personel to tactics and board to academy.

But the priority and main priority is always the first team!

I'd like to see an extra man in central midfield, short term thin could be Holgate or Townsend.

Without a DoF or manager, what now happens with recruitment? Hopefully top quality signings have already been identified for a centre-back and centre-forward.

Brian Murray - predictable response to anyone suggesting that BK isn’t the only problem. Explain how Moshiri is taking our club forward?

Thanks Rob @524.

Thanks for this.

Hopefully he gets well soon as at this time we can least afford to lose quality players.

I am presuming that Benitez's departure will do nothing to encourage any decent players to join the club this transfer window, but perhaps if Benitez's severance agreement included taking Rondon with him, there could be something positive out of all this!?

"I may be in the minority, but I have no problem with the Digne transaction itself. He hadn't played well for us since the ankle injury over a year ago and certainly wasn't improving -- Godfrey was playing the position better than he was."

Mike, then I have to say, you didn't watch the Villa game yesterday.

The elation at hearing the news of Benitez's departure has quickly evaporated on hearing the names of some of the possible replacements.

Hopefully some, like Martinez, are just ill-founded rumours, but being at the mercy of Moshiri and Kenwright there is a real dread of another dud appointment.

To me, Duncan would do the necessary until the end of the season and give us time to do full research on a longer-term appointment.

For anyone hoping Ferguson will get the boot, think again – if what I was told by one of the Stewards: Kenwright gave him a job as he was bankrupt.

Now whether that makes him Teflon-coated or until Kenwright goes that he's gone, no-one knows but all the old guard, jobs for the boys, and including Moshiri, needs to go.

The club is a basketcase mess and both Moshiri and Kenwright are the culprits. Who else would waste half a £billion to go backwards?

Martinez has the best squad in the world, ranked Number 1.

What have they won? Fuck all.

Adios!!!

No need to leave your notepad behind – we won't be needing it

TalkSport saying Martinez and Dunc front runners.

Frank Lampard anyone?

Did well at Derby. Premier League experience as manager. Plays decent football. More likely to be in tune with modern footballers. Not afraid to use young players.

And has already been the victim of a serial sacker so it won't come as a shock in 18 months time.

Please please not Martinez. Never ever go back. Give big Dunc the job for now.

But its a big no to Moyes as well.

Take a little time to get it right for once, and oh yea, let's hope common sense prevails, keep Moshiri away from picking the next one!!!

If Rooney arrives, there will be an influx of granny season ticket holders. Sorry.

I'm glad Benitez the prick is gone.

Given we are in a crisis situation we need a crisis management approach. Forget about the style of play, tactical niceties and the long term, just get someone to deliver some points and quickly.

Who is best placed to do that with a group of players bereft of confidence and with questionable levels of ability and commitment?

Duncan @535. We all know the owner and his wayward calls. But he is exactly that. The owner, so we are stuck with him.

His biggest crucial call was and is being errant and trusting Kenwright to do any and everything including lazy in house appointments etc. The list goes on and on – or crime sheet.

The fella is interested in himself and won't budge from his position even if we are relegated. He thrives on happy clappers, as seen at the Arsenal win. Done more damage to us than Heysel.

John Raftery, you're not suggesting who I think?

I might need a pint of wine if so!

All over Twitter now, it's saying Martinez is clear favourite, including The Telegraph.

Agree with you on that, Brian.

I'm as much a fan of Kenwright as I am the current Prime Minister, but I'm thoroughly disgusted at the way we've gone backwards since Moshiri arrived.

I don't have a clue what the answer is, but at the very least, I want us to stop hiring and firing like some bullshit half-arsed club. I thought we were better than this.

Please God. Not that idiot.

How many more times are we going to make the same mistake?

The continuing problem that remains to be addressed is the appointment of a professional experienced Board of Directors to run the club as a business. Not Moshiri's vanity project. Or worse, his financial vehicle. Maybe there's a reason Moshiri doesn't want an independently minded Board?

But here we go with Moshiri about to spin the wheel again while we all look in the wrong direction.

Martinez would be nailed-on relegation. His football is about possession and playing out from the back. Our defenders (and most of the midfield come to that) could not find a blue shirt in the club shop.

We need someone in quickly to stop the rot and if that involves chest thumping and battle cries to get everyone running through walls and the fans up for every game, then so be it. However, If Ferguson does not get that role where does that leave him? What level of ambition is he prepared to show?

Craig (525) and Alcaraz. For that alone he can’t come back.

Anyone, other than relegation Roberto. If it is him, I believe relegation is a certainty.

John @546, you are indeed suggesting the Unmentionable One. Or maybe not.

If you are, there's no chance now. That was another grave error, getting rid of him when he would, at least, have created a platform and when he was ready to face down the Kenwright Blob. He did well with an utterly shite set of players but no-one wants to hear that.

It was the steel we needed then but the cognoscenti, and the morally discerning, would never have it.

Ah well. Here we are now.

Duncan (548),

Not specifically but it needs to be someone of that ilk. Once the points have been delivered fans can say we were never in danger of relegation but I would much prefer not to put that theory to the test.

To those who post that Duncan has insufficient first team coach experience, he has four more games than Arteta had when he was appointed by Arsenal.

Duncan #548.

I know John very well, and believe me, he is talking about who you think he is thinking of.

I also have another mate who thinks along the same lines, and actually thought we should have given him a 3-year contract.

Roberto? Sure, let's do a Wigan. Win the FA Cup and get relegated.

I doubt it's gonna happen. If Roberto walks away from Belgium 10 months before the World Cup, he is out of his fucking mind. And if we hire him after what happened last time, we are out of ours.

Come on now, John, you can’t pull the wool over my eyes! 😁😁😁

Rob @559,

I would also have given him a 3-year contract. We're in a minority of about 10 but we're right!

Rob, you’re going to have to seriously reconsider who you’re hanging out with! If we were bottom of the league with 10 games remaining, I’d still have to say ‘no thanks’.

As much as I dislike Kenwright, he may be a shield between Duncan and the clueless owners.

I have just been reading up on one of the “contenders” – Rudi Garcia.

He seems quite impressive and I wouldn't mind him having a go at it. Anyone know anything about him that's a no-no?

Ed @ 558,

Arteta was No 2 at the most successful club in the Premier League; has Dunc ever been officially No 2 under any of our failing managers?

Well, that's that. What are they going to do now?

I know that Michael Keane has his critics, but I feel that those of us who have been calling for Benitez to go, owe Michael a huge debt of gratitude.

Surely it was his goal yesterday that finally sealed the fate of our inept, arrogant ex-Manager.

Way to go, Keanoooo!!

Well that's Graham Potter out, he isn't interested in talking to Everton.

How embarrassing – managers are turning us down.

Just a thought about the manager position.

I have read somewhere that Benitez will get £11,000,000 (Yes, eleven MILLION pounds) for departing the club.

I think this is an abomination, but if I guarantee to win more games than he did in the last 13 or so, do you think they would pay me the same?

Who writes these contracts and is it any wonder that we are now a laughing stock for taking on and overpaying has-beens?

Bobby Brown Shoes, fuck me... have we learned nothing?

Lampard for me.

The most sensible choice[s] surely must be Duncan Ferguson on an interim basis and David Moyes incentivised to return as soon as his departure from West Ham can be finalised?

Moyes was successful in averting relegation before when he succeeded Walter Smith and is, arguably, the most well equipped candidate given the present critical situation.

He has the proven ability to find the bargain priced capable players at the affordable prices determined by FFP.

Put Onyango into the holding role and push Allan and Doucoure further forward so we can keep possession. Front three pick themselves. Goalie sorted. Give Patterson debut at RB and confidence of Keane and mylolenko will grow.

We have always had decent players but the managers have always set them up on the back foot, the game has moved on. I for one are excited to see what's next.

I would say sorry to brands and invite him back with young modern coach. I Bet it's the Danish national coach. I'm actually pleased with transfer window and glad we sold digne and brought in 3 new young players which is exactly the model we need.

Allardyce buying tosun and Walcott and ancelotti buying doucoure and Allan offers no resale value... most player purchases have to be under 23 and if we have to sell a Richarlison or Calvert-Lewin for £60M to reinvest in x3 £20M players so be it.

We can do that for 5 years we will have a really good squad then at the end of it won't need to sell our best unless ridiculous money.

Also, having found us in this relegation position before on numerous occasions and changing managers, isn't 6 points above the drop with a few games in hand actually reasonably good for us as shit shows go?

Tony and Duncan. No way on this earth do I want him back as manager. Another one who I did not want to start off with.

As for a 3-year contract, I wouldn't have given him a 3-day contract.

Ed,

Arteta was first assistant to the most successful manager in the world, and had extensive strategic input into winning two league titles and three cups.

Duncan has worked under a string of failures, and nobody knows whether he has actually had any input on lineups, tactics, strategic planning etc. All we know for sure is that he has done some fine work coaching individual players in training.

Also, not to be pedantic but Arteta did manage one game for Man City when Pep was banned.

What about Brendan Rogers?

I thought we should've got him from Celtic before Leicester jumped in.

I see the name Martinez being touted as the new manager. My knowledge of European football is not great but I am assuming he is an up-and-coming manager in the Spanish or Portuguese leagues.

The only other Martinez that comes to mind is the manager we sacked in 2016 largely as a result of fan pressure.

I recall a plane flying over the ground in a game against Bournemouth with a "Martinez Must Go" banner. So obviously it can't be him.

John (452) Good question:

“How's the strategic review going?”

Who's looking at it? Billy Boy and the clique, well they'll sort it out no problem and give themselves a bonus for good measure.

They will decide to carry on the way the club has been run for the last few years now that they've just got rid of the problem and put one of their own in charge!!

Glad you've got your head screwed on, Rob. Now on to who we would have…. I'm all out of ideas tbh. Unlike many on here, I actually feel like we need someone who's an Evertonian.

The club, the owner, the board and the staff, should treat today as ground zero. The manager had to be dismissed purely based on performances and results, but we all know there are underlying reasons as to why the club has performed so badly in recent years.

Whether it is due, as some seem to think, to an interfering owner, a sentimental chairman, a bootlicking board and a set of couldn't give a monkey's players, everybody has played their part in the demise of Everton FC in recent times.

If those that are responsible for decisions believe that all will be right because they have ridded the club of an unpopular manager, I hope they'll reconsider that position and begin to recognise that all success is spread across the whole club and all failure is distributed in exactly the same way.

No single person can be held responsible for failure but obviously the manager does carry the can most of the time, for what happens on the pitch and at the training ground.

It is time for every member of the board and the owner to examine their own contributions:

Did they do enough to help the team?
Did they do enough to stop some things happening when it became obvious it was to the detriment of the club?
Are they interested enough in making Everton FC a club to be proud of?
Do they think that they can merely look on as things go wrong?

The buck does stop with the owner, but those he has placed in charge of the day-to-day running of the club should not be able to dodge criticism and those people shouldn't be using their contacts with the local press to deflect attention from their own deficiencies either.

Likewise, the owner should not ride roughshod over those he appointed, and he should support them until he believes they are incapable of doing what he requires and then recruits more suitable replacements.

The team on the pitch in recent years has reflected what many believe to be happening at the club, a mish-mash of characters, all with their own personal agendas, and failing to work as a team, whilst blaming each other when things go wrong. It's no way for a club to achieve success and it's not the correct environment for a football team to give of its best.

Team Everton has 19 matches to ensure it starts next season in the Premier League, and that is the main concern for now, but long-term goals will only be achieved if the people in charge truly reflect upon the state of the club and begin to address the problem areas, then perhaps it can start to move things forward and perhaps then we can all look forward to happier times.

The last 200 days have led to the most inevitable moment in Everton history. However, even during these very dark days, I am still not as depressed as I was during the dying embers of the Martinez days. And to be fair, I was happy with that appointment. But he can't be allowed back, no clue about defending.

What we need is a manager who hates zonal marking, likes high intensity midfielders and most importantly of all won't play Keane, Iwobi or fuckin Rondon.

Personally, I want Moysey but I know it won't happen.

Ha ha, Rob @574, I'd have been disappointed if you'd said anything else.

Who do you want now?

If a Roberto is being considered, how about Mancini?

Guy 573;

What are you doing for the next few months whilst you take the reins?

Great analysis and reliance on youth was and still is the way to go.

Let's just hope the youngsters can deliver in time!

I'd be ashamed if we stooped so low as to employ Rooney.

Is the plan to give him a few years at Everton before he heads back up the road to Manchester where he can once again kiss their badge?

Let's have an evolution at Everton not go fucking backwards. Not Rooney, for fuck's sake.

If anyone thinks he is doing his apprenticeship at Derby to come to us you are fucking deluded. He's a Manc Legend not an Everton Legend. He did fuck all with us, don't forget that.

It looks to me that we have tried several managers without success. Perhaps it's time Moshiri hired an Ayatollah – at least they would speak the same language and probably understand each other better – in sha' allh.

As I've said before, the first names to be scrubbed off any list are any of our previous managers and anyone who has been in charge of a team that got relegated.

After that, I'd like to see somebody with actual coaching/man management skills who isn't frightened of using youth he thinks might be up to it. And a decent record in the transfer market wouldn't go astray.

I suppose, in other words, that means those appointing the next manager have learnt from their past mistakes.

Peter #565, not really, a fine manager with an excellent reputation. The only yellow card would be that he has no familiarity with England, never played or managed in the Premier League, but I wouldn't consider that a disqualifier.

Has he gone yet? Just got home and 🙏 for good news

I recall being amazingly frustrated at Martinez continuing with a 4-2-3-1 that had been sussed, and the stories of not practicing set pieces were just mind boggling…..but I also remember good times too…..The only time in recent memory we all thought “The school of science was on its way back”…..

For me, I'd need convincing he's matured and learned to be pragmatic about need to defend too. If he was announced alongside a defensive number 2 (what's Jags or Distin up to these days?). I could accept it and get behind it. Not my first choice, but we need to throw the dice. Attacking coach needed who learns players to keep the ball.

If either Martinez or Rooney are given the job, I'm done.

"I have read somewhere that Benitez will get £11,000,000 (Yes, eleven MILLION pounds) for departing the club."

Barry, don't know if that's confirmed but there are many previous instances. Might be too conspiratorial to suggest anyone ever actively plays for the sack, but hell, these amounts of money could be such a motivation in themselves.

Do the job and all that comes with it, or get most/all of the money without doing the job to term; a hugely oversized safety net and reward for failure. Can't be right.

For me, Ferguson, in the short term at least, could be the safest.

He knows all the players well. He must know who the slackers are, who the bottlers are, who he can rely on, surely? Anyone coming in starts from scratch with no real knowledge and is at a disadvantage right from the start.

If he can get them organised and fired up then we'll be ok (I hope) for the rest of the season.

Then, during close season, a proper recruitment drive (don't laugh) for a permanent manager. I don't think Duncan would take it myself. IMO he's probably happy with a job for life rather than one he could lose after six to eight months and then be unemployed.

Just my opinion based on no ITK snippets.

There's no way Roberto Martinez is in the frame. No Way!

Any manager has to be a new permanent fixture to the club, with a strong presence and able to instil a sense of pride, passion, determination and drive into the team.

Anything else is a step backwards. The players need to be willing to run through brick walls and put in the extra effort – unlike the current mindset.

I'm not against Rooney but not sure he's proven himself sufficiently yet. Lampard is a no. Allardyce is a fuck off.

I'd be happy with Ferguson until the end of the season, with support.

I'm totally in favour of giving Duncan a run to prove himself as manager. Look around at other managers by all means and start conversations, but let Duncan know he's in the hat also (if he wants it) and give him at least 4-5 games to see if he can get some fight back in the side (which I think he 100% will).

We're not going to get quality at this time of year otherwise and I don't see why he'd be any worse than the likes of Lampard or Rooney, neither of who, have achieved anything at all yet of note in management.

It will be interesting to see who is willing to take the job. Duncan as caretaker for a while. Next step for Kenwright's strategic review. Back to mid-table mediocrity, and a rally to avoid relegation. It's going to be a good season for Kenwright & Co.

Duncan and Tony,

I would go for a name that hasn't been mentioned: Paulo Fonseca. He won the Ukrainian league with Shakhtar,despite having to play all their home games over 500 miles away due to the troubles in Ukraine.

Maybe not a great reason to choose somebody, but the dedication he must have shown under such circumstances shows he cared about the job. He could have so easily just walked away. He actually won the double in each of the three seasons he was at Shakhtar.

His overall managerial record is played 594, won 315 drew 148 and lost 131, with a win %age of 53.03.

Could he hack it in the Premier League though? Well we'll never know, but Spurs were prepared to give him a try in the summer.

We really are on the brink of no return so surely another exotic foreign manager can wait until we are safe. Same with Lampard Rooney etc.

I don't pretend to know the answer but he has to know the Premier League; otherwise, it's Russian Roulette with our future.

I'm afraid a weekly war cry by Coleman after another letdown won't be enough.

Please No!

Talk Sport saying Bobby Brown Shoes is bandied as the favourite for the job. Managed to undo the work Moyes had done at the Club.

How did he get the Belgium Job? Nearly anybody would have won something with the Squad he has there. What an underachiever.

I hope this is a hoax.

Mancini a good shout from those above. He might not be interested with the World Cup coming up (or at all as we are a basket case).

I've called for Rudi Garcia since he left Roma. I think he'd be a really solid option, with the potential to take us up a level.

A solid 50%+ win rate over the last 15 years. He's not a huge name with baggage, but a solid 'B-level' manager who still probably feels he has a point to prove.

Him, and Paulo Fonseca are managers that I'd be very happy to see arrive at the club.

Thanks, Mike,

Pep, Klopp, Mourinho, Wenger all never managed in the Premier League. I think a little bit of thinking outside the box may be needed

I think it’s very telling how Benitez was thought of at the club with the announcement wording. Very blunt and to the point. We’ve seen in the past from our own statements and one’s from other clubs that these messages have some sort of semi-appreciation for their service as a manager.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him rocking up at Newcastle before the end of the month or more than likely at the end of the season.

Phil Wood,

Lots on Twitter now saying Everton waiting for a response from the Belgium FA.
I'm gob smacked if it's him and probably done with Everton.

Benitez really got rid of Everton's Director of Medical Services, Head of Recruitment, Manager of Scouting, Director of Football and Lucas Digne, and then got sacked after 6 months of the season.

What a fucking shambles of a club.

Appointing Martinez, who was the first manager Moshiri sacked, would about sum it all up.

Peter 565, Garcia is a risk with certain owner types but runs a decent game and has put out fires at Lyon and Roma before that.

Personally, I think it likely that the dyspeptic duo will go for Martinez as they both know what they're getting. If not, Garcia is a good look for a 2- or 3-year gig with options should he be the messiah.

Welcome back, Roberto Martinez. Two semis. 72 points. Should never have been sacked without a Moshiri transfer window. Onwards and upwards.

Breaking news, Rafa called back – I kid you not. Under Dunc's instructions he has been requested to call into Finch Farm tomorrow.

It appears he left some personal belongings behind, the club were going to mail it on, but trying to get Rondon through the post office counter was a bridge too far. See what I did there Danny, we haven't the proper facilities.

Anyway, back to the manager's post. Me personally, I would give it to Ferguson for now, to try and scratch enough points up, say a month to month basis, rather than jump straight in again. Rooney is doing a decent job, so why not Dunc? If you do not give them an extended run then you will never know.

Let us not forget Derby is Rooney's first job in management;, they took a punt and gave him time. Why not do the same with Dunc? Forget this "he needs to try management elsewhere first" – try on a month-to-month basis. Others have tried and failed, time to try a different approach, for me, he's a safe pair of hands for now, Dunc.

The real problem at Everton is the dysfunction right at the top and, until that's sorted, we will continue to stagger from crisis to crisis.

By all accounts, Boys Pen Bill was against the last appointment but not against it enough to relinquish his position as chair and that is one of the problems. We have a 3-person board.

(I exclude Graeme Sharp as he's only there to appease the fans. If the board wanted advice on football matters, he was already there to ask, anyway.) The board appear to make decisions based on their own self preservation interests rather than the best long term interests of the club.

Then there's the Dof Football position. Brands must have wondered what his actual role was as he had an owner, a chairman and a manager who all seemed able to bypass him on signing players. He also appears to have been sacrificed, both to appease the fans and to satisfy Benitez's ego. Now we have no DoF, have lost an excellent left-back and have just signed 2 players and a loanee who the incoming manager must inherit.

Then there's the farce of the board's review of their own performance carried out by the board and reporting back to themselves.

There is no business expertise on the board and no outside non-execs to monitor performance against KPIs. It's unbelieveable that the owner, an accountant and former chair of a huge multinational company, allows the club he has invested over half a billion £s in to be run like a corner shop.

We have no real identity and no real ongoing strategy or objectives other than a vague 'getting into Europe'.

What a train wreck of a football club!

Call to Big Sam needed?

Even Simon Jordan saying he hears it's Martinez now.

Rob #600, I've seen Fonseca mentioned on a couple of published lists, and by several posters here.

Peter #606, no argument from me on that. I've suggested thinking even further out of the box, namely a couple of managers in the Americas. But not now, in the summer.

I am sick to the stomach that Digne was allowed to go earlier this week, and Benitez is fired 3 days later. Jesus, I'll never get over that. Moshiri needs to carry the can for letting Benitez sweet-talk him into that one.

Bobby Brown Shoes had better not be hired; we could drop even quicker with him.

Did I say I was sick to the stomach that Digne is gone, with a second-rate replacement brought in to boot.

Straight out of Billy the Fish, this, boys. I expect this is all part of Gus Parker's evil plan.

I read Martinez is being asked to be Interim manager, I assume there are no more international games until the end of the season.

Ian Edwards,

Did you slip into a coma from his appointment until his sacking?

His only decent season was after Moyes left with a well drilled squad but that shit shoe ripped it apart and made about as much sense as Cantona and the seagulls. 🙄

Sharp's first major contribution since been appointed to the Everton Board.

Always one for the theatrical, Kenwright:

"And for my next manager..."

Shy Talk.

Martinez is a bad move, It wont take the crowd long to turn on him (again) and with this shower of mainly shite players he's on a hiding to nothing, it'll be another huge pay-off for failure. Just install an interim for the Villa game and give ourselves time to breath.

Martinez is a bad move, It wont take the crowd long to turn on him (again) and with this shower of mainly shite players he's on a hiding to nothing, it'll be another huge pay-off for failure. Just install an interim for the Villa game and give ourselves time to breath.

Michael #617, so you thought Digne was playing well, did you?

And you're ready to write off the kid after two games?

(Actually, I thought that outside of that one ridiculous brain fart, he played pretty well yesterday.)

A few DECENT coaches available :

Lucien Favre
Paulo Fonseca
Gennaro Gattuso
Ernesto Valverde
Joachim Low
Rudi Garcia
Zinedine Zidane
ANDREA PIRLO
Quique Setien

If you prefer someone with PL experience then here is the funny list:

ALEX NEIL
TONY PULIS
CHRIS HUGHTON
NEIL LENNON
MARK HUGHES
GARRY MONK
NEIL WARNOCK
PAUL LAMBERT
UWE RÖSLER
SOL CAMPBELL

I can't believe that some people have such short memories that they want Martinez back. He had one good season with Moyes' organised squad and it was all downhill after that.
He certainly bought into the history of the club and seemed a nice guy but as a manager he was clueless and would have taken us down just as he did with Wigan.
We need a manager who knows the Prem and can hit the ground running. We have so little wriggle room left we can't afford to take a chance on some foreign manager who'll need time.

629 Bill "Moyes organised squad"... Moyes was failing for several years. We played some brilliant football that season. Not given money to spend. Better than any Manager since.

When you consider Benitez got rid of Everton’s Director of Medical, Head of Recruitment, Manager of Scouting, Director of Football and Lucas Digne you have to ask was he really here to sabotage the club.

Agent Benitez indeed!!!!

Mike, Ancelotti wanted to take Duncan to Real Madrid. Why would he do that if he did not value his knowledge and ability.
Duncan sent Scxhneiderlin and Miralles home from training because they were loafing. Koeman had entrusted him with authority.
There is little doubt that Duncan was ignored by Silva as he conducted his coaches meetings in Portuguese and I never saw Benitez share any words with him on the touchline. There is plenty of evidence that he was a joint assistant coach for Ancelotti who is certainly in the same league as Pep.

Pep is still one behind Carlo in Champions League wins.

We need some quality recruitments and fast. Especially in midfield. If Dunc gets the job short term he won’t be given the option of bringing in any new players and now with Benitez having got rid of Brands we have no Director of football to sanction a purchase or loan. What a complete mess after we just allowed Benetiz to sell Digne and bring in Patterson, Mykelenko and El Ghazi. I know he was also looking at a midfielder as well who we need desperately. I think without a couple more signings we are going to struggle to stay up and I am not sure Pep could turn it around with the current squad we have. Who is going to scout who we need and sanction any loan or purchase? As a result, this is the squad any new manager is going to have to work with going forward for the rest of the season. Good luck to ever that might be!!

@631

Daniel. You highlight some astonishingly significant outcomes from Benitez’ autocratic rule at the football club.

What is more astonishing is that he was allowed to do this.

Whoever made the decision to appoint him in the first place, then allow him to do these things; needs the bullet immediately.

The only Roberto I would welcome is Mancini!

My next choice who is readily available is Niko Kovac.

After that I'm unimpressed with the rest of the name's mentioned.

Fair call, Rob @600.

God knows, though.

Mike, well drilled squad? Moyes left us with Tim Howard who was flapping at every ball floated into the box. Distan was in the twilight of his career and was an increasing liability and to cap it all Fellaini who was heavily relied upon to defend set pieces was poached by the man who left us the 'well drilled squad' Hence Martinez desperation to sign VVD who if we'd manage to sign would have been a game changer.

Bill Watson Martinez took that Moyes squad and done more with it in 12 months that Moyes done in ten years. Not that I want him back at Everton though.

Bill, for some of the younger supporters he was the best they have seen,great first season a couple of semi’s exciting players and football. It’s not been great since then. Personally I don’t want him either, but as I say for younger supporters he’s been the best they’ve seen

I find it hard to believe Benitez was given total control, got rid of Brands, sold Digne, but thankfully now sacked, having to pay him £10m+ is mind boggling.
No matter what Ian says, Wayne has done a brilliant job at Derby, who only had 6 players before the start of the season, brought in free agents, unbelievable. I'd love to see Lampard taking over. Hope Martinez isn't brought back, even though he should have been backed in the transfer window by Moshiri instead of being sacked. People talking about Alcaraz, he brought him in on a free, because of a crippling injury list at the back, and not a penny to spend.

Of all the names being thrown about Rooney or Ferguson would be a no for me ( except for this Sat ), and don't be surprised if Villa try and get the game called off!
Lampard who knows?
Martinez who knows?
Graham Potter has to be the target for lots of reasons - right?
His teams play good football, seems to get his tactics right a lot of the time, his players are committed and he is working with a small budget.
In saying all of the above I just ask myself why the fuck would he leave Brighton to come to a club as badly run as Everton. - Money maybe !, just can not see it happening, but would be happy if it did.
The compensation Moshiri has paid in sacking the last six managers would probably buy a new fucking squad - unbelievable amounts of money just wasted - this next appointment has to be right, but don't fucking bank on it.

Martinez will take one look at us and say "no ta"

Re Roberto, Tony Abrahams posted something a few days ago to the effect that an ex employee of the club who had never kicked a ball for us would be walking through the door again in the next few weeks.
Am I getting warm Tony?

Rob #600, I like Fonseca as well, was my pick on the forum yesterday, didn't he win a title or cup with Braga before he went to Shaktar?

He was not fab at Roma though and he does like a 3-5-1-1.

Surely the brown shoed one is concerned only with the World Cup this year. Taking on Everton at the moment would be like Pep managing Oldham part time until the end of the season.

I’d support any manager who will do away with zonal marking, pay up the contracts and show the door to Coleman, Keane, Holgate, Delph, Iwobi, Davies and last but by no means least Rondon.

Also the new manager needs to pull DCL to one side and tell him his work off the ball is non existent and that he’s lazy and needs to put more effort into his play if he wants to stay at the club.

Potter has admitted he struggled with criticism from BHA fans. Goodison is not the place for him. He would have a breakdown when we were one down v Burnley at home and the boos rained down

If Bobby bullshit comes back to Goodison I honestly think that'll be the end of me as an Everton fan. Alladyce already brought me close but that'll be the final straw.

There's a reason he hasn't managed to land a job in the last couple of years having applied for nearly every Prem job going.

Everton is simply a basket case of a club. Kenwright should be shown the door before any new manager sets foot here.

Just woken up to the news and a massive relief. I think blues the world over will be feeling the same way. So much speculation as to the next manager that frankly you would spend a month debating pointless possible. Not sure there would be a line of quality managers waiting for an interview at the Liver building, mostly chancers, wannabe's and dinosaurs wanting a final paid day. Then you have the next group, ex Everton, I love my club, group. Rooney, Ferguson, Martinez et al. Very emotionally appealing but probably only as a rallying point for the fans.
I am glad Benitez has gone and I am now positive we won't be relegated, but this next appointment is vital, I think Duncan Ferguson will get the gig for a short time as interim but Moshiri will want a competent replacement, who will ensure no hiccups prior to BMD. I doubt there will be a strategic review of the club now, I think Fonseca if he would come, Moyes would probably be right type in BK eyes but who to pick? The old brigade are past it, the new are a gamble too far ATM, should be interesting..

Rob (561) As you know I would have preferred to let that manager see out his 18 months contract rather than take a punt on someone about whom there were serious doubts concerning his ability to complete a full season with one club. I don’t think any manager should return to a club. It very rarely works. Moyes is the exception proving the rule at West Ham.

I stick by my view that we need someone to deal with our immediate problem which is to avoid relegation. The highfalutin stuff about projects and grand strategies must wait.

Mike @ 626;

Mykolenko will be afforded some time to improve and establish, to an as yet unknown conclusion, so we'll see.

Watching Digne yesterday was an illustration of the influences good and bad, of a manager, team tactics and set-up on a player. Plus, personal motivation and commitment of the player.

Whatever the truth behind the scenes, Digne looked every inch the quality player we first bought, in his first Villa start. No deterioration visible.
Something in more recent times at Everton hampered his performance.

I hope the new guy becomes as good as Digne, in his own way. I'll be surprised.

No thanks to Martinez. Stubbs got it bang on when he was interviewed on Sky today, saying he inherited Moyes's well-drilled and fit squad so did okay at first, but it soon became a painful watch. I could understand going back to an old manager if he'd been a success the first time around, but Bobby Brownshoes spell here was dull and mediocre.

Lampard has done nothing yet, and Rooney is at an even earlier stage in his career so no to either of them.

I'd put Ferguson in charge for a few games and see if we can get Graham Potter at the end of the season.

I would let DF have it short term then try for Galtieri at Nice, court him for the rest of the season and get him to come in the summer, if not sooner.

Definitely do not go near Martinez, ...once bitten.

Ashley (633),As you say,what a complete mess Everton FC are in now with no sensible football person in charge to deal with transfer deals,permanent or loan,who is going to sign the central midfielder we are desperate for not to mention a centre back, without at least two more signings I’d say we will have a large fight to stay in the premier league.

That’s not mentioning who is going to deal with possible outgoings.

Mark. Here’s hoping. He should be running seminars for positive thinking. Full of bs and an insult to evertonians after defeat after defeat because of his hopeless defence set up. A phenomenal no.

I think it was away to Southampton when we were taken apart, it might have been 3-0. We made them look like Barcelona. The hapless Martinez didn't make one substitution. He sat on the sidelines and looked bewildered, baffled, beaten and utterly out of his depth. I described it as the worst paid performance by a coach I had ever witnessed. I said that there were coaches in the Irish league who are better.
Belgium have had the best squad in the world for quite a while. They have actually done well considering how useless their coach is. A fraud and a charlatan. Bring back Rafa if this is the alternative.

Seems like some journalists are saying Everton have approached the Belgium FC to get permission to speak to Martinez. This was a man we sacked at the beginning of 2016 and hasnt managed at club football since, yes he had one good season but became obsessed with possession football that it often took 14 passes to get out of our own half. Can you imagine if he was re appointed and had this back 4 passing it round at the back. Also he had Stones who was comfortable on the ball.

Should this be true then I guess Moshiri would have handed control of selecting the next manager to Kenwright, as he is probably the only other person who would think this is a good move. Golden rule never go back it never works, hopefully with the World Cup only months away cant see Martinez walking out on the Belgium side this close to a World cup competition.

Gerry, we were linked with vvd but Roberto opted for funes mori instead

Mr Phenomenal, I fucking despair with this club, we go from one clown to the next. "what a manager"! never forget that line from Kenwright after the Chelsea game, the stupid twat.

If you endorse this football fraud then you deserve everything you get, a blag artist of the highest order, even the owner knew this when he bought the club, his brain numbing style of football, his bullshit "glass always full" bollocks.

So its a no from me.

I just want a british manager to be given a clean slate, who will put a bit of trust into some of our promising youngsters, obviously stopping the rot first, then introduce one or two into the 1st 11, besides Gordon, who has earnt his place.

I'm sick to the back teeth of foreign managers, as well as dog shit board members who haven't got a fucking clue.

When any relationship ends it’s easy to only remember the good times.

With Roberto Martinez I prefer to remember the deluded phenomenal interviews. Getting destroyed at Anfield, our non existent defending and the side to side chuckle bros passing around.

No way should brown shoes be allowed back.

I’d have Silva unlucky with us and going great guns at Fulham over bullshit Bobby any day.

For our next manager Potter has caught the eye but he’s in a zero pressure goldfish bowl could he handle the beast that is EFC.

Benitez can't complain that he wasn't given a fair chance by Everton. Both the management and (most) fans wanted him to succeed. It was his stubborn tactics and not being able to change things around in the midst of a deplorable run of results that led to his demise. Today, Leeds were missing 7 members from their squad and then they lost 2 of their key midfield and defensive players within the 1st quarter of the game to injuries. Yet they managed to beat the current media darlings - West Ham - away, with a terrific display of guts and commitment. So, it can be done, but Rafa was too stubborn to believe he could achieve results until all the players returned from injury. Let's face it, no team can expect that they will have their key players available 100% of the time. It will never happen.

Taking a look at our squad, the new manager should be able to rely on this squad of core players to play us out of relegation:

Pickford
Kenny
Godfrey
Keane (yes! in spite of his mental fragility, he does not hide)
Branthwaite (raw, but our future star, I am convinced)
Allan
Doucoure
Calvert-Lewin
Richarlison
Gordon
Gray
Townsend

That is 12 players.

Mina (injuries), Mykolenko and Patterson (need time to bed in), Davies (after he is back from injury), Coleman, Gomes and Holgate (as squad fillers), El Ghazi - are players that you can't 100% count on but they might surprise us with their availability and contributions. Dobbin and Onyango may be the surprise packages under the right manager?

Rondon, Iwobi, Delph, Tosun just need to leave the club. They serve no purpose at all.

We do need an extra spark in the mid-field - maybe Ramsey from Juventus or Loftus Cheek from Chelsea on a 'try before you buy' deal?

So, given this squad of players, we need a hard working manager who will get the players playing to a system which is simple and not over complicated.

I have already expressed my preference for our next manager: Ferguson as interim manager until the end of the season (with Baines as his assistant). And, if Rooney achieves the miracle of keeping Derby up, I would sign him up as our permanent long term manager. Otherwise, we look at other options in the summer.

We need to set aside our personal prejudices and agendas and stand united as a fan base and give the new person our full support. We still have half the season to go – in sport, anything is possible when there is passion, unity of purpose and determination. It is a new beginning, we are Everton Football Club, we shall overcome!

--

Mykolenko looks nervous, and who could blame him, he really has been thrown in at the deep end - hopefully he will get over this.

They might let Martinez keep the Belgium job as its part time, anything this board do should not surprise anybody, they are incompetent.

Will #650, aside from the yellow card and his best-placed corner kicks of the season, I really didn't notice Digne much yesterday, but I'll take your word for it. If that ankle holds up, no doubt he'll help Villa.

Beyond that one howler, I think Mykolenko played as well yesterday as Digne has for us this season. His defensive positioning was solid, nobody got past him, and his passing was decent. One thing for sure, he's faster than Digne... his overlapping runs were eye-catching, although Gray chose not to use him most of the time. And given the horrific performances of Keane, Coleman and Godfrey, Mykolenko was unquestionably our best defender in that game.

He's only 22 and under intense pressure, so we'll see how long it takes him to get up to speed, but I like some of what I've seen so far.

Graham Potter has been mentioned frequently here and elsewhere. Yet Brighton fans were booing his team after a home draw a couple of months ago which may say more about their fickle nature than his ability. I would not be surprised if Potter has set his long term sights on a bigger job, that of England manager. In the meantime he will want to avoid the reputational risks associated with managing a dysfunctional club with no established playing structure, a rapid turnover of managers and a querulous set of fans.

Oliver, true. It's a big step for him, and he'll be well aware of who Digne is, who he's replacing. Hope it all works out for him.

Dave (643), No Dave I think Tony was talking about Dave Prentice who, I believe is going to become Everton’s Liaison Officer.

Dave Prentice is employed by The Liverpool Echo, which I’m sure you know, and has had constant contact with Kenwright over the years and has been appointed by him, draw your own conclusions, doubt there will be criticism of Everton FC when he takes over the position, a job that Graeme Sharp was once employed at.

Mike, there were some good signs but he (Myk) was caught out of position a few times, not solid. Seems he was allowed to move forward by Benitez, not seen Digne do that so much for some time (incl. Carlo too). And yet he did exactly that yesterday.

Digne was excellent from start to finish but if you didn't notice him then you wouldn't know that :)

Roberto "F******" Martinez!? Surely must be a joke!

@ 640

With regard to Wayne Rooney. I find it hard to look beyond the fact that his win percentage as a manager is 27%.

So people can cite points deductions and transfer embargos until the cows come home. But the game is about winning and losing football matches, and Rooney in his limited experience; loses more often than he wins. And he only wins 1 in every 4 games.

I’m not necessarily against his appointment, but I am looking to TW to highlight any evidence that would support it.

Learning from past mistakes, surely the Everton board must finally think and decide which manager will be the best long term fit for EFC. No rash descisions but the best fit and chemistry for Everton FC.

What a crazy month the last 30 days has seen, at Everton FC.

Only at Everton... but this interim solution whom ever gets the job, has a massive challenge and it’s going to be for survival, this season.

If Dunc plus Baines etc, gets the job as interim, then I’m sure the bulk of the Evertonians everywhere will get behind them.

Sort the defence out, play a 3 or 4 man midfield, ( not 2 men), play the best players available and in their best positions, and get some belief and spirit in the squad.

Basically get the minimum requirements ready for any football team but also make a new Captain if, not immediately in the next month.

Everton's priority is to stay up, and no football team, is too good or has divine right to stay in the EPL.

Fekkn stick one up the Slippy next Sunday, assuming he doesnt pull the Covid card, as the stakes are now higher, and I believe Everton's favour.

The structure and running of the club has sadly a permanent work in progress but 10 years almost of in the doldrums has got to stop, and Everton FC, must build a plan for success on the park.

Too much to hope for?

But surely learn from the past mistakes.

Looks like Roberto then

https://twitter.com/EFCLyndon/status/1482789909731495938?s=20

We need a younger manager. One the players can relate to and respect as a functioning day to day coach. One the players don't see as a scary, fat, boring old dad (or grandad). Who can't run.

No more stubborn, 'experienced', safe pair of hands. Let the next manager be the risky young coach with fire in their belly who gets us.

If he's not from Croxteth, then somewhere like it.

We need a younger manager. One the players can relate to and respect as a functioning day to day coach. One the players don't see as a scary, fat, boring old dad (or grandad). Who can't run.

No more stubborn, 'experienced', safe pair of hands. Let the next manager be the risky young coach with fire in their belly who gets us.

If he's not from Croxteth, then somewhere like it.

Marc 673, So some Turkish bloke has twitted on bloody twitter about it and thats the proof!?

Benitez sent a message to Everton supporters via his blog:
"We knew it wouldn't be easy, and that it was a big challenge, both emotionally and in terms of sport. My love for this city, for Merseyside and its people, made me accept this challenge, but it is only when you are inside that you realise the magnitude of the task.

"From the very first day, my staff and myself worked as we always do, with commitment and full dedication, we didn't only have to get results, but we also had to win over people's hearts.

"However, the financial situation and then the injuries that followed made things even harder. I am convinced that we would have been better once the injured players were back and with the arrival of the new signings.

"The road to success isn't easy and sadly, nowadays in football there is a search for immediate results and there is always less and less patience; unfortunately circumstances have determined the results and it won't be possible to continue this project.

"In any case, thank you to the Board, to the staff, to the players, and to those fans who have supported us during this time.

"My best wishes for EFC.

"Rafa Benítez." Source:Liverpool Echo

Interestingly there are 4 replies on the Echo page relating to this story all from fans of the crowd over the park.

As much I thought that Benitez was the wrong choice, Everton's statement on Benitez's removal lacked a touch of class, not for the first time in recent days.

If I was to get an ex Everton player as manager or coach it would probably be Tim Cahil.

Professional, dedicated, enthusiastic, hard working, demanding, leader, communicator, never gives up, commitment, a winning mentality and respectful.

As a player, he kept improving himself even after he left us. The fantastic world cup goal he scored (2014?) was a result of dedication to adapt and prolong his career at the top. It wasn't a goal he could have scored as a 25 year old.

He shares some important traits with Ronaldo, always wanting to improve himself and those around him.

Thats the type of person who could sort out our mess. Problem is, I think he's a happy family man which may reduce his drive nor does he have the badges.

Sure this has been mentioned elsewhere - so we back him to sack some "deadwood", then allow him to sell someone, then a few days later "sack" him with no DoF, who signed the players this January? Says it all about this club. God help the lads who have come in (the Ukrainian lad has to play, as we have no other LB's).

@677

He can make excuses all he wants.

He’s spent money in January and he basically had a fully fit squad yesterday and the players he’d bought available to him. And his team served up that performance and result.

It was unforgivable, and he enhances the indignity of his whole reign with that stupid blog entry.

No one of note wants the manager job. Who in their right minds and has a positive-looking future would want it? We aren't getting someone with the stature of Mancini (I laughed when someone here brought that up). We had Carlo Ancelotti for crying out loud and he wasn't good enough for Goodison.

We're going to get someone with little experience and does not know better or someone who wants a big paycheck.

Graham Potter just confirmed he is as smart as I thought he was.

If any manager is recognized as being good and has a decent amount experience, he should be smart enough to wait for another job. I am pretty sure that if a manager really wants this job that is someone I do not want.

A week or two ago we were backing the manager with sales and signings... so there's no way we should be advanced in thinking on replacements. It would raise the obvious question of why we were allowing him to make major changes while he was on the way out.

Mind you, I don't put anything past this club.

It will be Ferguson this week. After that, I hope we look at a fresh face. I can see the appeal of a Rooney, or Ferguson given the chance to prove himself, or going back for Bobby (the one coach who really believed this club deserved better and could achieve things).

But this club needs an overhaul. I'm not sure any of them bring that kind of experience, nor are any of our current employees equipped to make such a selection. It makes sense to me that the order of activities is:

- Strategic review of the club
- Appoint a DoF in line with the outcomes
- DoF leads the charge for the new manager

If a manager is appointed, it should only be a fixed term appointment to the end of the season. Otherwise we're just repeating mistakes.

Mr Everton, Rob Halligan, went to Everton to get my season ticket the day Roberto Martinez was sacked because I was on route to Perth races at the time, and couldn't get it online because of dodgy phone signals on the 5 hour bus ride. I reckoned that the uptake would have been huge after the good news, so Rob kindly went and got my ticket at Goodison.
If Blue Bill and Mastermind Moshiri re-invite the Iberian arsehole to be our manager again, I've already seen my last game at Goodison.
You would almost think that Moshiri supported the redshite?

It would be madness to appoint anyone outside the club to take things from here. They would have to suss players and staff out and no doubt bring their own staff - all starting from scratch. That takes time and a good excuse for poor performance.

The players each and everyone of them should pull their guts out for the supporters no matter who the manager is. I do believe they will do this. Under Rafa they looked confused as to the system that only he seemed to know. I think the man has completely lost it with modern football and wouldnt have him managing my local pub team. I have thought this since watching his set ups from day one.
I do believe Duncan Ferguson should on a temp period manage the team. He is a winner as we know and I do think he'll get the best out of the players.

I could genuinely understand people saying Benitez was sabotaging our club if we had been getting results for years, but all my line of thinking always reverts back to “one man” unfortunately, and it’s not that poor horse who lost his life at Aintree.

"We knew it wouldn't be easy, and that it was a big challenge, both emotionally and in terms of sport. My love for this city, small clu... er, Everton, for Merseyside and its people, made me accept this challenge, but it is only when you are inside that you realize you're not up to the task.

"From the very first day, my staff and myself worked as we always do, with commitment and full dedication, we didn't only have to get results, but we also had to win over people's hearts. To this end, I picked an ass to kick out to show who's boss, and immediately chose Rodriguez.

"However, the financial situation and then the injuries that followed made things even harder. I am convinced that we would have been better once the injured players were back, with the arrival of inexperienced new signings, and after flogging off Digne, when he saw through me.

"The road to success isn't easy and sadly, nowadays in football there is a search for immediate results and there is always less and less patience; unfortunately my tactics, shape, the atmosphere I created and Rondon, have determined the results, and it won't be possible to continue this shitshow.

"In any case, thank you to the Board for the ten million, to the staff, to the players that didn't have the balls to criticize me, and to those fans who didn't bring banners during this time.

"Bollocks to EFC."

Since May 2016, when Martinez was shown the door, Everton have now had 5 managers (excluding 3 caretakers). So in 5.5 seasons we've gone through 5 managers, averaging just over a season each. That included two world respected managers in Ancelotti and Koeman.

In that time we paid c£550m in transfer fees and received c£290m, so a net spend of about £260m - this excludes compensation packages to the 5 sacked managers, which I'd guess probably adds another £30m-£40m. These numbers also excluded the hundreds of millions paid to players and managers in salary over the same period.

After all the above, the current squad is arguably as unbalanced as it has ever been in the same period. You really have go ask what on earth do the people running/owning the club actually do day to day? Who is involved in strategic matters and do they have a clue?

How on earth is the squad supposed to be balanced and settled if the manager is changed on average every year? Each new appointment will come in and immediately want to bring 'their' players in and ones who they think will fit best with their own style. I really do despair and still cannot comprehend the colossal mismanagement and utter waste of c£300m over the last few years. That would have covered most of the cost of the stadium!

One thing's for certain, I cannot imagine any world in which Moshiri (actually Usmanov) will get his money back. Even after the new stadium is built, he'll be sitting multiple hundreds of millions in losses and at best can probably look to break even - at best.

Regardless, I'm not shedding any tears for Usmanovs/Moshiris lost millions. They'll be fine. I'm just totally at a loss how the club could have thrown away such an amazing opportunity to build a great squad and really compete. For several years we'd been crying out to have some proper cash to invest in the squad. When we then get this it's completely wasted.

The only consistent for me in all is Kenwright - I cannot believe this man is still at the club and worse is still allowed to influence matters (as I'm sure he does). I believe it doesn't matter who you bring into the dug out, until Kenwright is told to leave the club, nothing much will really change. The mismanagement of this club has gone on for over 2 decades, why think anything is going to change anytime soon?

Re the football, we'll stay up as let's be honest, we only need a handful of wins to do so and there's still half a season left. There are (unbelievably) a few teams worse than us so I'm not concerned there. But I just cannot see the Everton circus coming to an end any time soon. Usmanov should have the balls to have a total clear out of non-paying staff, including most of the board, and just start a fresh. The rot is deep and a total root and branch job is needed to bring the club into the 21st century - in 2022!

Do you think that Moshiri or more significantly Usmanov, might think it’s wiser and cheaper, to actually cut their loses now Denis, or is that just a ridiculous notion that I’m just making up?

We have no idea what we want, do we, just a collection of half-baked speculations and prejudices? As long as it's not someone we don't like, of course, whoever that may be.

So there we are then; we reserve the right to be outraged whatever may occur. We're Everton, after all, and we know who we are.

Nice article on Rooney could be 6 months to soon still though...I.e see how he finishes the job at derby and if good hire in summer. Better than Gerrard as not a snide cu*t.