Unsworth’s two games to grab job
CHRIS COLEMAN has told the Football Association of Wales they have to buy into his vision if they want him to continue as national manager.
Before the forthcoming friendlies against France and Panama, he said: “I have to look and think can I take it forward, are the structure and facilities good enough to take us forward?
“Because if we can’t, and they can’t give me the things I need to take the job on, then maybe it’s time for a new face and new ideas.”
Coleman led Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 but his team failed to qualify for the World Cup next year. EVERTON have spoken to Sam Allardyce about their managerial vacancy, leaving caretaker David Unsworth admitting he has two games to secure the job permanently.
Unsworth accepts tonight’s Europa League match against Lyon and Sunday’s Premier League clash with Watford will decide his fate as major investor Farhad Moshiri sounds out other options.
One person Moshiri has held discussions with is Allardyce, who declared an interest this week and could take charge until the end of the season.
The club also remain interested in Burnley boss Sean Dyche, but no approach has been made to the Clarets.
There are some within Goodison Park who still believe Unsworth is the right man for the job despite two defeats in his two games since taking over from Ronald Koeman.
Unsworth claims he has not been distracted by the speculation about the position ahead of his “cup finals”.
He said: “I’ve not picked up a newspaper because I haven’t had time. I wouldn’t know who was in the running for the manager’s job.
“I’ve heard certain things but it’s a top job and I’m not surprised with whoever would be linked with it.
“It’s football and I get football and I know football. So whoever’s linked with it, it would not surprise me. Will the next two games be decisive? Probably. But (4-2-3-1) that doesn’t scare me because I know the game and I know that, in the end, you will be judged on performances.
“Performances have improved for a game and a half, certainly in the second half against Leicester – but within those performances we have to try and dig out some results.
“So I want to win this game, I want to perform and Sunday is a massive game as well. Sunday is a cup final for me and we have to play it like a cup final.”
His media blackout extended to Joey Barton’s jibes about him being a “glorified PE teacher” and also Gary Neville’s criticism of his defence during Monday Night Football on Sky, so he did not speak about either.
Wayne Rooney, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines have been left at home with Sunday’s game in mind despite the Toffees needing three points against the Ligue 1 side.
Anything less than a win will all but end Everton’s Europa League campaign with two games still to go in Group E.
Ashley Williams is set to start and he revealed the players feel they have a point to prove after heavy criticism this season.
He said: “We definitely have a point to prove – not so much to those outside the club but, as teammates, the results show we have let each other down so far.” LOPES; TETE, MARCELO, DIAKHABY, MARCAL; TOUSART, AOUAR; TRAORE, FEKIR, DEPAY; MAOLIDA (4-2-3-1) PICKFORD; KENNY, HOLGATE, WILLIAMS, MARTINA; SCHNEIDERLIN, GUEYE; LOOKMAN, SIGURDSSON, KLAASSEN; CALVERT-LEWIN REFEREE: O Grinfeld (Israel) KICK-OFF: 6pm TV: BT Sport 2