Don't get me wrong, I understand wholeheartedly the amount of frustration on the forum at the moment in regards to the appointment of a new manager. For months we've all known that it was unlikely that Martinez would take us on next season, and the general feeling is that the board has been too slow in reacting.
Anyone that has worked in business knows that getting the 'right man' for the job takes some time, and it's evident that the board are talking to some top level candidates. The problem with 24 hour news coverage and the saturation of sports reporting is that we've all gotten used to immediate news, but I guess it's the way of the world right now and we've decided to do things differently.
Vilification of the board of our club has been plentiful over the past 10 years, but after hearing and seeing how our new board are conducting matters gives me a lot of hope for the future of our club. It's evident that we're going places, and the reputation of the managers being touted to replace Martinez shows that.
I haven't felt quite this optimistic for quite some time as an Evertonian. I could hark back to the great, yet short-lasting feeling at the start of the season when we were playing top-drawer football at ease - but this feels a lot more solid. The club have a programme of improvement throughout the club, and either way we're going to come out of whatever happens in a better shape structurally than before it begun.
Daring to dream is sometimes difficult to do when you haven't won anything in 20 seasons, but I do believe that we can now begin to believe in ourselves as not only a footballing club - but as a institution of sport worldwide. For years I've argued with friends and family that we're a big club, citing cup wins during our glory years whilst watching the likes of Idan Tal and Alex Nyarako put in yet another pitiful display in front of our worn supporters. This feels real now.
More importantly, it's imperative that the appointment of a new manager sets a precedent for our club going forward. We need a young manager with fresh new ideas with experience elsewhere to bring something new to to our club. More importantly, we need a born winner - someone that isn't willing to put up with mediocrity - Nil Satis Nisi Optimum and all of that.
Over the years, it has been difficult to feel enthusiastic about the future. For fans such as myself, our highs have mainly surrounded the odd cup run here and there - but nothing to really cite back to in 20 years time. I remember sitting on my fathers lap as a young boy hearing stories about the great Everton sides of the 60s and 80s, having these wonderful dreams of us being and beating the best.
Younger fans have to believe again, younger players too. I can understand why Lukaku and Stones are thinking about leaving, we're a club that looks back and that's not positive for young hungry stars. Change is required in both the mentality of the club, and the supporters.
Everton are a big club, but we've slept for so long that we've forgotten what it means to be one. It's not about harking back to the glory days, it's about constantly building for the future and making your footprint on the footballing sands of time. We have to make an impact, one way or another.
Sorry if I seem to be rambling on here, but I'm excited for the future and this time it feels solid.
I may just be desperate, but it looks like we're going to be in for quite a summer. We're probably going to see our club transform over the next two months as we finally leave the Moyes era. The likes of Hibbert, Osman, Pienaar, Gibson, McGeady, Howard and Oviedo are likely to leave - and this can only be a good thing. Their replacements will offer a fresh new feel to the club, and maybe revitalise our current squad of players of whom badly need a bit of refreshing in the hope of making them stay.
Solidity in our foundations moving forward is key. We need to build a young and dynamic squad that can build and work together over the next few years as to ensure continuing success.
Our choice in manager is key to this. We need someone that believes in both the clubs vision going forward, and the supporters new-found dreams of success. We also need someone that is capable of reaching the heights I firmly believe we can achieve. The appointment of the manager is the first, and possibly the most important step in rebuilding our great club.
Unai Emery is a proven winner in Europe, and will bring a bit of reputation to the club. Players are going to want to play for him, and we'll be able to attract the caliber of players required to really make an impact.
Ronald Koeman is ambitious and a proven squad builder, with top flight experience in England. Given a bit of money it would be interesting to see how well he does.
Manuel Pellegrini I feel is a little too old to give us that longevity that we need in order to compete. That being said, he has won the league at City and may be a fantastic manager to stabilise the club as we invest in other projects such as the stadium and youth development.
All said and done, the future is bright. Exciting times are ahead!
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
