Ambition at Goodison key for ‘energised’ new manager

SAM ALLARDYCE insisted that he is “enthused and energised” about returning to management after being confirmed as Everton’s new boss yesterday.

The 63-year-old former England boss has signed a deal to take charge at Goodison Park until June 2019.

Allardyce said: “I’ve always thought Everton was a great club. Their ambition, allied to all the fantastic history, proved to be key for me.

“Obviously, the club has gone through a difficult spell. Hopefully I can put that behind us as quickly as possible and start looking upwards again.

“I think that, whatever’s happened before, we’ve just got to all rally around together. Our will to do it all together would be my way forward.

“I feel really enthused and energised to come in as manager.”

Allardyce has been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace in May after just five months, having led the club to eight wins in 21 games to secure a 14th-place finish in the league.

That was his first job since an ill-fated one-game spell as England manager.

Allardyce succeeds Dutchman Ronald Koeman, who guided Everton to seventh place last season – his first in charge – but was sacked the day after a 5-2 home defeat by Arsenal on October 22.

The Toffees spent more than £130m on new players in the summer but have struggled without last season’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku, who was sold to Manchester United for £75m.

BRIEF

Allardyce’s initial brief will be to haul Everton away from the relegation zone – a feat he achieved at Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – and one which majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri believes deserves more credit.

“In many ways he is the most underrated British manager,” said Moshiri.

“A lot of people have forgotten his work at Bolton, who played very good football.

“Sam understands the longterm ambitions we have for this great club and I know he is a man who gives it his all and is focused 24 hours a day.

“Evertonians are the most passionate fans in the world and, when the club does badly, we all suffer. But in football everything changes very quickly, so I hope this will help to propel us to where we should be”.

Moshiri added: “I would like to put on record our thanks as a club to David Unsworth for stepping up when we needed him over the last few weeks. He is a real Evertonian, embodying the commitment, pride and passion we all feel for the club.”

Allardyce’s first game in charge will be tomorrow when Everton visit Huddersfield Town.