Allardyce seals 18-month deal to take over Goodison reins
SAM ALLARDYCE stepped into Goodison Park for the first time as Everton manager last night and set himself the immediate task of repairing the club’s shattered confidence.
The former England coach agreed an 18-month deal, attending the Premier League victory over his former club West Ham United following final negotiations with the Everton majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri.
Moshiri has driven the recruitment process, alongside board members Keith Harris and Sasha Ryazantsev. Ryazantsev is now expected to take a more prominent role at the club, based at the club’s USM Finch Farm training ground.
Allardyce will be left in no doubt about the scale of the challenge to win over sceptical supporters. A large number are unhappy with the appointment and the Goodison hierarchy have come under fire after initially targeting what were considered more progressive candidates.
The 63-year-old will be confident of drowning out the cynicism with results, but has seen enough in recent performances, last night apart, to illustrate the scale of the task.
BELIEF
“Everton are obviously in a bad place at the moment and, like every club that is struggling, it’s mainly down to a loss of belief,” said Allardyce.
“The players’ loss of belief in themselves and their lack of confidence means that the first thing the new manager needs to do is re-instil that confidence and morale in them again.
“When a player plays with confidence, that’s when he’s playing to the best of his ability.
“At the minute, I can’t see that with that set of Everton players. It’s completely gone.”
For Allardyce, confirmation of an 18-month contract is a victory for his shrewd negotiating stance.
He initially withdrew from contention, having expressed frustration in Everton’s delay in making a decision, while also aware he was not their first choice.
He will be heavily compensated should Everton decide to switch their attentions back to their preferred candidates at the end of the season, when they are more likely to be available.
Talks had already advanced so far as to sort out the new manager’s backroom staff. Former Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare and former Liverpool coach Sammy Lee are expected to join Allardyce.
Goodison stalwart Duncan Ferguson will stay as a first-team coach, while Unsworth returns to his duties with the U-23s.
Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion have appointed Alan Pardew as manager on a two-and-ahalf year contract.
Pardew returns to management for the first time since being sacked by Crystal Palace in December 2016 and replaces Tony Pulis at West Brom. (© Daily Telegraph, London)