The Managerial Scouting Report – Everton

What if: David Moyes leaves? His contract is up at the end of the season and it’s time to make a short-list should your powers of persuasion fail. Here a potential three candidates for the job are named.

First of all it is imperative to keep those already at the football club. This also applies to the manager: David Moyes. The third longest serving manager in the Premier league and the joint record three time LMA Manager of the Year (2002-03; 2004-05; 2008-09) has excelled during his time at Goodison Park. His remarkable record despite a mediocre budget has been staggering and has already proven he has the capability to make it to a cup final and finish in the top four in the league for a Champions League berth.

On the flip-side, we all need a plan b. Moyes is yet to commit to a new contract and his current deal expires at the end of the season. Everything should be done to keep their man however if the worse comes to the worse there needs to be a ready-made short-list to appoint a new manager capably and confidently.

1) Neil Lennon – Makes sense right? Has managerial experience with Celtic in Europe including this season’s fine Champions League campaign including defeating Barcelona. Knows his way around a cup competition, and has two English League Cup winners medals to his name during his playing days with Leicester City. Lennon could be after a new challenge following two successive league medals and the gaping absence of real competition with Rangers no longer a threat. Swapping the Scottish Premier League for the English Premier League could be a tempting prospect despite his ties with Celtic.

2) Roberto Martinez – How about something a bit closer to home? Martinez has proven time and again he has the ability to mix it up, to punch above his weight with Wigan in the Premier League, and could well secure an FA Cup this season alongside their oncoming Europa League campaign next season. It shouldn’t be forgotten that his influence at Swansea City has been vital to their ongoing success: he stamped his passing philosophy on the side during his time and was rewarded with the Football League One trophy in 2007-08 and also picked up the League One Manager of the Year in the same year. Also a Premier League Manager of the Month winner, in April 2012.

3) The Wildcard – Steve McClaren – How about the only Englishman to lead a side to a top-flight domestic title this century? (FC Twente, Eredivisie, 2009-2010). Not to mention his League Cup success with Middlesbrough in 2003-04, and the subsequent European final that followed making him the first manager to bring European football to Middlesbrough in its existence? Not only did he achieve this, but he managed two successive European qualifications. And all this after gaining the experience of studying Sir Alex Ferguson at work during his time as Assistant Manager at Manchester United.

When you put McClaren’s list of achievements on record it is truly remarkable. Sadly the ‘Wolly with the Brolly’ has had his rough patches with England, Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest in the Championship. Out of work, in Everton’s budget and a wealth of experience he could be the perfect man to replicate his successes with an Everton side craving consistent European football and a trophy.

Do you believe I have missed someone out or have another suggestion for a possible Moyes replacement? Get in touch – @footyfriends , @tomllew or in the comments box below!

Tomos Llewellyn @tomllew