STATEMENT

DAVID UNSWORTH will fight every inch of the way to be Everton’s permanent boss – with a “wonderful man” in his corner.

wonderful job here managing the Under-23s and at the academy. I have never made a secret of the fact, though, that I want to be a manager.

“I have a real burning desire to be successful – and I hope it’s here. I don’t think it’s a gamble at all.

“I’m a realist not a dreamer and there are no guarantees for anybody.

“But I do know the club inside out. I know the fans inside out and the demands. But I can’t decide that. Other people will decide that.

“All I can do is give it my best shot. Is it an audition? It is if you think about it like that. It’s a great challenge, too.

“It’s a challenge I’m not afraid of and one I’m excited about. For however long it lasts I will just give it my best and that’s all you can do.

“I think I will be judged on performance, on results, like any other manager.

“I know we can get out of trouble. I absolutely know we can, 100 per cent. You have to scrap for every Premier League point. I know – I have been there. There is not an easy game in the Premier League. I know what it takes and I know what our fans demand. We will give them that. You saw that in midweek at Chelsea – we can mix it with anyone.”

Unsworth, as well as having Royle by his side, knows he can lean on Wayne Rooney too.

He added: “I would be a fool not to. Wayne has been a top player and still is. I have spoken to all the senior players –Leighton

Baines, Phil

Jagielka and Ashley

Williams.

“I think any manager would be a fool not to get into discussions with senior players and talk to them every day.

“You have to show a passion and commitment our fans expect and deserve. We need to pick a team to win every

game.” Apr 2017: Everton 4 Leicester

2 Jan 2017: Everton 1 Leicester

2 Dec 2016: Leicester 0 Everton 2 May 2016: Leicester 3 Everton 1 Dec 2015: Everton 2 Leicester

3

Leicester – 33 wins Everton – 40 wins Draws – 32