Ancelotti seems the best option for Everton
After the news that the two managers in China that were linked with the Everton managers job; Rafa Benitez and Vitor Pereira have ruled themselves out, at least for now, which of the remaining candidates would be the best option?
Of those still being associated with Everton and the vacant managerial position, my own view would be that Carlo Ancelotti would represent the best option.
There is still some uncertainty about the long-term situation of Benitez, with his cryptic answers leaving the door open to a possible return to England and to Everton, possibly at the end of this current season.
If there is a real chance that he would be seriously interested in taking the job in the summer, then the Blues should be pulling out all the stops to nail him down to an agreement and then give Duncan Ferguson the job until then.
However, if that’s not the case, or the board are committed to appointing someone permanently very soon, then Ancelotti seems the right choice and most similar type of coach to the Spaniard.
Let’s be honest this is a very difficult decision. I have been critical of the board for dithering and failing to be decisive but in truth getting this right really is a tough call.
As has been said, Duncan Ferguson’s impact on Saturday and the manner of the win over Chelsea does take some of the pressure off the board, at least for now. The club have also confirmed the Scot will be in charge for the trip to Old Trafford this weekend.
There is now an increasing momentum for the Toffees to give big Dunc the job now and try to build a new culture of success on the traditional foundations he represents.
Long-term this might well be the best option, but I’m still not convinced it is, and do Everton have enough time to wait for this scenario to come to fruition?
It’s possible that Ferguson would be right, although he needs to re-produce that over several matches in a row for as long as he’s in charge.
If he does we could see something special happen very quickly. Alternatively if he proves a flash in the pan or his current inexperience proves costly in the short-term, that might leave the club back in the same sort of situation we’re in now.
For me Everton need a coach with the experience, nous and gravitas of a winner. Bringing in Ancelotti would be that statement of intent we desperately need to make. He might not stay for more than a few seasons, but it would, if all went well, give the club time to build something long-term, perhaps around Ferguson and his coaching staff.
Ancelotti is available straight away as he has just been sacked by Napoli, despite their Champions League win last night and the fact they are sitting comfortably in the top half of Serie A.
The Italian is also, like most of his countrymen, a pragmatist who likes to play good attacking football, but also believes in strong organisation and defensive resilience, similar to Benitez. That would certainly chime with the approach that the Toffees showed on Saturday and is
I think the right formula to give the team a solid base to build from.
Again like Benitez, I feel that he would better understand the Toffees traditions than a coach like Unai Emery. If he gets the job he could do worse than make Ferguson his number two.
Then there is Moise Kean. Blues fans have not seen what he can deliver, he’s only had fleeting chances to do so, although he’s shown tantalising glimpses of his talent. Surely having spent so much money on him it’s important that he be given that chance soon.
Presumably Ancelotti will know something about the youngster as he’s come through the ranks at Juventus in Italy. Additionally, there is the fact he can speak Kean’s mother tongue and so could help the teenager to settle in off the pitch and then perhaps produce his best, on it.
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Ancelotti speaks excellent English, a very important factor and something that I feel impeded Marco Silva, and has successful Premier League experience with Chelsea of course. Finally he also has the best eyebrows in world football!
Seriously though, if Everton could get the right man in charge, there is surely enough talent at Goodison Park to produce a very competitive side, quickly, given appropriate coaching and tactics.
Ancelotti’s arrival might also herald another headline grabbing move, one we discussed yesterday, that of bringing in Zlatan Ibrahimovic in January..?
In the end of course no one is guaranteed success, whoever the club bring in. And there isn’t anyone being considered who doesn’t have drawbacks or who will win over every Blues fan.
However I feel strongly that the club must show supporters that they have the ambition and desire for success that every Evertonian wants to see.