It all looks quite positive so far. I hope we have a strong finish to the season, the lack of outside focus on us may prove to be a help in that regard.
I'm sceptical, but hopeful, that Ancelotti will stay here for the full length of his contract, at a minimum. It's a plus that this is roughly on a par with the timeline for Bramley Moore as well. Despite his stunning record, I think leading a rejuvenated Everton into a new stadium would still represent a big motivation for him, provided we can get things right between now and then.
I don't really understand at all why so many questioned his motivation to come here, at this stage in his career, and on the back of a glittering record. I could understand it if he was 10 years younger, but having done everything, I think we are tailor-made for him and him for us. If he can restore us competitively and put a foundation in place for that to be maintained, then after 30 years of failure, in my book it would be as good as anything he has done to date and mark a very fitting conclusion to such a spectacular career.
The nature of the recruitment made in the summer will tell us a lot about whether he is happy to take a measured step-by-step approach or wants to try to progress things forward more quickly. In the long-term we need sustainability and stability and I really hope that is recognised by Ancelotti as well. The apparent fact that he did not at all appear concerned by the lack of activity in January to me is a very encouraging sign and a mark of someone taking the advantage of all of the time afforded to have a long hard look at the club and squad, in significant detail.
In the early days of his time at PSG I recall in his book him saying that the methods, practices, and ways of thinking at PSG were well behind the elite and his job and that of his staff was to "make this club a big club". He has a much tougher task here but the principles are exactly the same. I think he will already have seen almost everything he needs to, to know what is wrong at Everton, and what's required to bridge the gap. Transfers are a key part of the solution but the much bigger job is in making more subtle changes, altering attitudes and approaches, both with current and new players, coaching staff, and even transmitting that to Brands and the board.
We have the right man here, it will be exciting to let him get on with the job.
Good post Bri.
I agree with all of that really.
I too have been thinking about what has motivated Carlo Ancelotti, and perhaps what has motivated Carlo Ancelotti now and not 2 years ago? They are worthwhile questions.
The PSG job is probably the most similar job to here in terms of European standing when he first arrived (he was the new owners first appointment). They spent heavily in the 2 winter windows and 1 summer window. If you compare to spending in the PL in 2012 he spent the equivalent of about £450m across that time period. A very substantial investment across the space of a year and one that really kickstarted PSG's charge up the league. So potentially money may have been one motivator.
It doesn't look as if a similar approach will be adopted here on that scale (there are a multitude of reasons, but essentially the money required to do it with the inflation is much higher and FFP is now much tighter so it becomes harder). In such a scenario the likes of Koulibaly were a real possibility.
It looks to me, at least from January that there is a broader plan on recruitment, controlled by Brands that will be maintained. I don't see that as an automatically bad thing (though of course the excitement of the scale of investment outlined above would have been incredible). Under Brands while recruitment hasn't been faultless (it never is) it has been consistent and we have moved forward in a more measured way.
You have to consider with Ancelotti, that perhaps such a project has enticed him. I know he has only been at most of the clubs a short space of time, but I do wonder if this is as much a reflection of the ruthlessness at the top of the game, than a comment on him. PSG, Chelsea and Real Madrid routinely change managers. The expectations of clubs like this, and throw in Bayern too is markedly different to Everton. Barring probably a 3 year period in the 80's and a couple of years in the 60's we really haven't been at that pinnacle they existed in while Ancelotti was at each club. Whether good or bad, the ruthlessness just isn't there.
He's done things, that surprised me a little. The promoting of multiple young players to first team training, some as young as 16 surprised me, as has his ease at introducing Antony Gordon. In spite of his record it appears he would quite like a longer project. Maybe he hoped he would get that at Napoli but it was proven badly wrong. He will get that here though, he will get time, good financial support (even if not game changing) and enormous broad support from the club who are grateful to have him.
As a final aside I do wonder in the weeks he knew he was leaving Napoli if he didn't caste an eye over Everton, particularly the performances under Ferguson and perhaps wonder if there was a much bigger potential than was being shown. Thus far it's the same squad that started the season (minus the likes of Tosuon leaving) yet we have doubled out points total post Silva. It's a marked change, perhaps the most striking we've had since 1994. It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the manager was a central problem in this.
While I don't think this is a 2 points per game (or 1.9 post Silva) I think it's a lot nearer to that mark than the less than 1 point per game it was performing too under Silva. For Ancelotti there is an easy "quick win" here.As it happens I think it's a similar perspective that's been adopted by Benitez when he wanted the job. The squad was underperforming and you could quite quickly get the squad to the point where it was at a top 6 level, with the opportunity of further funds available being spent in a controlled manner.
This is really the crunch point for Ancelotti though. If you look at Koeman and Allardyce it was around this point that things started to come apart. For Silva it probably took a few games more. So we probably need to look to the next set of 6-7 games. While 14 points is unrealistic, I'm hoping we can consolidate at around 10 points and we will then have avoided throwing away the early momentum. 11 points from the next 7 have us on 44 points with 7 to play. Given the run in I think the top 5 will be in play big time if we can position ourselves there.