The Everton fans in the Transfer Tavern are eager for the season to be wrapped up so their club can start afresh next season and rewrite the wrongs that have characterised their current campaign.
The final 10 fixtures of Everton’s campaign represent something of a drab inconvenience rather than an enthralling finale, as neither relegation nor automatic qualification for the Europa League represent realistic outcomes at this stage. Of course, Sam Allardyce will be doing everything he can to motivate his players to finish in 7th place above the likes of Burnley and Leicester to give themselves a chance of playing European football next season, but that hardly represents a simple task considering their inconsistency.
The resident Toffees propping up our bar in the tavern have harboured a feeling of dissatisfaction all season. When they were threatened by relegation the supporters frantically called for a change in leadership, and even now they have all but secured their Premier League status, the feeling of discontent still looms large at Goodison Park.
Arguably the most crucial factor which has caused this overarching feeling to increase at the club relates to Sam Allardyce and his managerial expertise. Allardyce was a perfect appointment for Everton when they hired him in late November, as he is something of a veteran when it comes to leading clubs away from the relegation zone.
However, in the long-term, Allardyce does not have the tactical repertoire which will enable Everton to challenge for the top-six in the future, and now he has served his temporary purpose, plenty of supporters are beginning to identify managers who could succeed him at the club.
One man who has recently become the focus of discussion for supporters is their former hero Mikel Arteta, who is currently working alongside Pep Guardiola as a coach at Manchester City.
According to BBC journalist Gregg O’Keeffe, Arteta was recommended by influential personnel at Everton when they were searching for a new manager back in October.
Mikel Arteta mentioned in some quarters today as a contender to take over at Arsenal in the summer. Should he be considered by #Everton if Allardyce is thanked for his relegation-proofing & moved on? Influential figures at #EFC pressed Arteta's case back in October
— Greg O'Keeffe (@GregOK) February 27, 2018
In response to O’Keeffe’s tweet, a large number of Everton supporters have reacted with excitement to the news and called for the club to take a punt on the inexperienced Spaniard next summer.
Here’s what the supporters have had to say about the potential of seeing Arteta in the Everton hot-seat…
Arteta and Cahill joint managers!!! If they offered the passion they did on the pitch we'd win the lot !!!
— Dave Cal (@daveyc99) February 27, 2018
Supposedly the best they've ever seen on the uefa courses, pep snapped him at the first opportunity, will want to play football and has everything to prove. He's the type we should be looking at to progress
— Big toe with the gimpy leg (@summers_tony) February 27, 2018
If he is heralded as the next great manager then we need to seriously consider him. Would be a progressive and future-facing appointment. Would play a good style of football without doubt
— Mark Cartman (@Blueliquorice) February 27, 2018
Cleverest player I’ve ever seen at Goodison, I would give him the chance
— Mr P (@PorcoRosso_1878) February 27, 2018
The fella has just spent every day for 2 years learning from Pep. That should be enough to make a top coach
— Michael (@greenallefc) February 27, 2018
Been saying it for months
— Gary Roe (@_GaryRoe) February 27, 2018
I'd have him as manager. I thought he would have been mentioned more when we were looking to replace Koeman.
— Peter Neasham (@Neash28) February 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/bluemac79/status/968401898024980480
Do it @Everton
— James (@bigdirtyjames) February 27, 2018
