GiveMeSport
·25 January 2023
Everton would be 'buying into philosophy' with 422-game manager at Goodison Park

GiveMeSport
·25 January 2023
Everton’s rumoured pursuit of Nuno Espirito Santo as Frank Lampard’s replacement could “take a little more time” to pay off, journalist Dean Jones has warned in an interview with GIVEMESPORT.
Lampard was sacked less than 12 months into the job, but Jones is unsure on whether Nuno would be a suitable hire.
After just under a year in charge, Frank Lampard was relieved of his duties at Everton. He departs Goodison Park with a win percentage of 27.3%, having been victorious in only 12 of his 44 matches as manager.
It leaves Everton searching for their eighth manager under owner Farhad Moshiri, who has overseen a tumultuous period in the club’s history since taking over in 2016.
With the club second from bottom in the division, Everton currently face the prospect of relegation to the second tier of English football for the only time this century and the first time since the 1950s.
Names of potential Lampard replacements have already emerged, with the former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa reported to be among the prospective candidates.
As is ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers chief Espirito Santo, who enjoyed a successful four-year stint with the West Midlands outfit, before being sacked as Tottenham Hotspur boss five months into the job.
Espirito Santo is among the favourites to take over at Goodison, but the jury remains out on whether or not the Portuguese boss would be a sensible appointment.
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A manager driven by principles, Espirito Santo may have Premier League experience, but journalist Jones isn’t convinced he’s the right man for Everton.
In an interview with GIVEMESPORT, Jones warned against the appointment of Espirito Santo at Goodison, suggesting it would need time to pay off – something Everton don’t currently have.
On the 48-year-old, Jones said: “Nuno Espirito Santo is a little bit different, you’re buying into a bit more of a philosophy there. I think that might take a bit more time.”
Currently in charge of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad Club, there is little doubt, compared to some other mooted targets, Espirito Santo has the required experience in the Premier League to help guide Everton to safety.
Boasting over 120 matches in England’s top flight, and averaging over 1.4 points per game, Espirito Santo is an astute coach and could prove successful for Everton in the long run.
The problem for the Toffees is they need a quick fix, should they wish to remain in the Premier League beyond the current campaign.
That’s why, despite the attraction of a long-term project, it’s probably a job more suited to someone like Duncan Ferguson or Sean Dyche, and not Espirito Santo.