Over the course of the current Premier League season, David Moyes will probably deliver what we all seemed to expect: an 8th- to 12th-place finish. But this season so far is a reminder of a few things which are frustrating about our sensible but boring manager.

He’s not especially imaginative.

Even noting the limitations of our squad, we see no variation in formation to give us more pace or width.  And for a tall team, we don’t seem to be troubling other sides with our set pieces. 

He’s not especially brave.

I think there’s a bit of myth and legend at play with Moyes and youth – but other managers would, I expect, have been braver in their use of Dibling in particular.  And we’ve also seen some frustratingly timid performances, too. He’s also timid with referees and too accepting of decisions against.

He not especially positive.

I know I can come across as negative. But then I’m not in charge. You kind of want the guy in charge to be like Russell Crowe in Gladiator. Moyes just loves to put a lid on expectations and get his excuses in early. Not the guy you follow into battle.

But, he’s a sensible old pro too and, for the time being, I expect that TFG are fairly unperturbed,

Still, just for fun – what are the options?

Probably not...

I’ll start with two managers who are just about possible but only if we promise some serious spending.

Iraola: currently doing well with Bournemouth.

Glasner: currently doing well with Crystal Palace.

In the case of both managers, what is particularly impressive is how they have coped after losing really important players. Iraola has had to rebuild an excellent defence after losing Kerzez, Huijsen and Zabarnyi to Liverpool, Real Madrid and PSG, respectively.

Glasner has to manage without Eze.

Both clubs recruit very well (and this recruitment is not overseen by either manager) and that has helped, but still – in the case of all of these players, it was big shoes to fill.  However, both managers have performed strongly enough to fancy their chances of a Champions League appointment – not necessarily with a Premier League club either.  And the Saudi League also offers big bucks and an increasingly high standard to work with. 

There will be competition for these two – as there will be for the third “probably not”.

Jaissle: the charismatic 37-year-old is currently earning absolutely shit loads of money for Al-Ahli out in Saudi. He’s also overseeing some decent names from recent Champions League history in Mendy, Demiral, Ibanez, Kessie, Millot, Mahrez and Galeno – as well as some other quality non-Saudi players in Dams, Goncalves and Ivan Toney.  They are a good side in a fast-improving league – and would give us a run for our money certainly. Could we get him? Not sure. I expect he’d be looking for a bigger, more immediate Champions League opportunity.

Out of contract

Motta: serial winner as a player and did well at Spezia and then Bologna as a manager, adapting his tactical approach to the quality of players available. Famously claimed to play 2-7-2 – but was talking about the formation as a horizontal (wing to wing) arrangement rather than vertical (goal to goal).  The actual formation switches between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3.  Didn’t fare well at Juve but still a good manager. He’s one of my three favourite options after Iraola and Glasner.

Terzic: strangely overlooked since getting Dortmund to a Champions League final and now out of work for the last 10 months.  Talks of it being a sabbatical in which he’s improved his skillset. Highly regarded as a coach and a fluent English speaker after his time as assistant coach with Bilic at West Ham. He’d be a big risk – and I think we’re better than this now.

Ten Hag: built a couple of really good sides at Ajax before leaving for Man Utd. Was really crap at Man Utd. Hired by Leverkusen to replace Madrid-bound Alonso this summer. Was crap and got sacked. Would be an unlikely choice for us. 

On the up

Hoeness: the Stuttgart manager has done an exceptional job after good grounding with Leipzig and Hoffenheim. He’s benefited (as many better performing managers do) from a very well organised player recruitment and development structure. But he’s brought trophies and Champions League to a club that was struggling recently. He would be an ambitious appointment. Another one of my three favourite options.

McKenna: reminds me of a young Brendan Rodgers or Roberto Martinez. He can organise a mediocre bunch into a footballing side and really develop players too. He also plays football as though he’s in charge of a big club – which means dominating possession and committing players forward in attack (at the expense of defence).

Despite having a very good group of players available in his Premier League season with Ipswich, they never looked like staying up.  And having lost Delap, Hutchinson and Enciso, he’s not managed to maintain Ipswich’s form into the new season.  Is he a flash in the pan?  Not sure.  I still (being all romantic about things) think he might be just what we need.  Seems to have turned down Celtic, presumably because he reckons he could get a better Premier League job. The last of my three favourite options.

Hayen: current Club Brugge coach, linked with Celtic. They have a very good recruitment and development arrangement and he’s overseen a well assembled, talented squad very well – playing fast, aggressive front-foot football. Randomly had a coaching spell with Haverfordwest in the Welsh League. Would be a brave choice but has some real potential.

Andrews: he’s started very well at Brentford after what looked like a hospital pass of a job. But having lost Mbuemo, Wissa and Norgaard, he’s managed to keep them going. The style and tactics are much as they were under Frank.  I expect he’s benefiting from Frank’s influence and the brilliant management of the club as a whole, but still a good performance. This would be such an uninspiring appointment though. 

Reader Comments (8)

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Michael Kenrick
1 Posted 02/11/2025 at 20:48:52
Thanks for this, Robert.

Any chance of providing their first names?

Paul Kernot
2 Posted 02/11/2025 at 20:59:15
Great stuff as always, Robert and, on the subject of risky young managers, having covered defenders & strikers, you've been brave to go with potential new managers.

Personally, I think it's worth the risk of going all out for an Iriaola type but I am not at all sure TFG would jump any time soon.

Paul Hewitt
3 Posted 02/11/2025 at 21:38:29
Irola and Glasnier, not a chance. There going to bigger and better things
Jon Atkinson
4 Posted 02/11/2025 at 21:54:14
Fully agree with the preamble
on the managers my only input ?
Not Andrew’s with that hair of his Barry Bouffant job.
Ian Bennett
5 Posted 02/11/2025 at 22:01:30
Missed a trick on Emery and Howe when they were available.

I think there are few genuine managers that have the ability to succeed at Everton, but those two I think have the ability to get through the squad overhaul stage and create something longer term.

Instead we went down the Carlo route.

Mark Murphy
6 Posted 02/11/2025 at 22:05:27
“Bigger and better”
Surely Everton are bigger and better on the grand scale of things than Bournemouth or Palace?
I understand the “reality” view but FFS PH, you’re not coming across as remotely positive as far as Everton are concerned.
Chin up lad, there’s worse clubs than ours to follow.
UTFT and KAGSEFOOTELBOs
Mark Murphy
7 Posted 02/11/2025 at 22:13:53
I like Howe but he won’t take Newcastle to the next level and Emery got sacked by Arsenal as he wasn’t good enough for them.
Iraola should be number one target. We’re a massive step up from Bournemouth in all aspects but recent short term form.
With our new ground and resources he'd be a fool to turn the opportunity down.
We’re the best prospect outside the top six and an exciting challenge for any young coach with ambition.
Robert Tressell
8 Posted 02/11/2025 at 22:18:05
Michael # 1, think of them all as Mr.


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