01 Jun 2016 11:58:11
The stories in the media (and that's all they are at the moment: stories) about Mr Moshiri wanting a European-style structure of Sporting Director and Head Coach are interesting.
Many fans like Everton being a family club, the people's club, a club that uses former players (e. g. Unsworth, Royle, Ferguson, Sheedy, Ebbrell, etc. ) as coaches and others (Sharp, Snodin and Stuart) as ambassadors. The directors - like Kenwright and Woods - are known to be lifelong fans of the club.
All of the above creates a very strong and emotional bond with the fanbase. Perhaps we need to move on from those old parochial feelings and instead embrace a new professional winning mentality - and Mr Moshiri (and the names he could be hiring) seem to be the people to do just that.
How do others feel about what some may think of as 'the club losing its soul"? My view is that sentiment - while warm and cosy - is not conducive to being a winner - but what the heck do I know :-)
01 Jun 2016 12:36:23
Maybe able to have the best of both if the backroom staff working under them are part of the Everton family.
01 Jun 2016 13:03:55
sa90: but what if the Sporting Director decided to clear out all of the current coaching, scouting, recruitment, development and academy staff? I'm not saying that would happen - it would surely be way too disruptive, especially if done immediately - but would you be concerned if other professionals (non-Evertonians) were brought in over the course of time if they were deemed better - or do you want to have only lifelong Evertonians (even if inferior) working at the club? If you HAD to choose, which we would you go?
01 Jun 2016 13:18:13
I agree Cowpat. Must move with the times or we'll get left behind. The sad reality now is its a business just as much as it is football if not more. Not that I agree with that but I just want Everton to be successful.
01 Jun 2016 13:23:31
Ok I may be a bit old fashioned but I feel that the club should keep its links with the passed. People like Unsworth and Sheedy do very good jobs coaching at the club, and surely do not fix it if it ain't broke.
Also Joe Royal and the others are an important part of the club and have a lot to give I feel.
If we did get Emery as manager we know he likes to work with a sporting director so it is ok, but equally so if we get a manager who does not want a sporting director then why have one for the sake of it.
As far as I know there is no evidence in this country that it brings more success. An example of this is Koeman at Southamton he will not have a sporting director and controls the transfares himself and doing well. So if we got Koeman then there would be know point in a sporting director.
Surely the manager should make these decisions as the buck stops with him. Change for the sake of it cannot be good.
01 Jun 2016 13:41:28
I know which way I would go Sid, no place for sentiment so if a choice out of being a nice club and not winning or ruthless business practices resulting in an open top bus (so want one of these) then book the bus now.
01 Jun 2016 14:35:39
It all depends on the quality of people in place. When we won trophies in the 80's and 90's they were both former players.
We've moved away from former players and not won anything since. If it was a plain black and white thing then a move back to former players in the management area would be the way to go.
Me I don't think it matters two hoots as long as they are the right people for the job but former players don't do a bad job. Zidane has just brought the CL home for Real.
One thing I would say is that in my opinion Martinez did bring in inferior people and we had much better in Stubbs and Unsworth who could have done a better job than the clowns he brought in.
01 Jun 2016 14:51:25
The club needs to progress but I still think its important to keep the identity of EFC. For me it would be best person for the job but if there was only very little difference between candidates then pick the Toffee.
01 Jun 2016 17:20:01
Interesting post Sid. I'd say, if we are to move forward as a club, the board must do whatever it takes to build for future success. There is no room for sentiment unless a person is well qualified for a job within the management structure. If an ex player is a very good coach then we should keep or employ them but not take or keep them on just because they have played for the club. The likes of Unsworth has proven his worth with the work he has done with the U21's and should be allowed to continue in his role. It is nice to have a link like that but it is not imperative. But I do think that the club will continue to have ex players working in some capacity, people that the fans can identify with.
{Ed025's Note - i agree with all that spud..