Everton are in a tough spot, there’s no way around it. The Toffees need to do something, and Marco Silva, at present, is looking like the problem. Since moving to the club in the summer, he’s had little in the way of progression, and in recent weeks, Everton have taken more than a few backwards steps.
For a team that has spent so much money over the years, it’s tough to understand why things have gone so poorly, but clearly, something needs to be done.
Fortunately, the club doesn’t appear to be resting upon its laurels. Indeed, according to the Mirror, Everton are already considering potential replacements for Silva, and one shocking name on their shortlist is apparently Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa, of course, is currently at Leeds United, where he’s doing a good job. Leeds are currently top of the Championship, and Bielsa’s really had a fantastic on a team that has underperformed for years now.
Naturally, then, some would deem him to be a good candidate to replace Silva. But this is a decision that Everton can’t get wrong. Another bad managerial appointment would leave the Toffees treading water once more; and under Bielsa, things could get even worse for the club.
Now, make no mistake, Bielsa is a good manager. He’s done well at Leeds so far, but that doesn’t mean that he’d be a good manager for Everton.
Indeed, it’s clear that what the Toffees have lacked over the last few years has been longevity, In truth, since losing David Moyes to Man Utd, that’s exactly what the club have been seeking. They need someone who can come in and make an impact over a long period of time instead of someone that can come in and have immediate success quickly. Unfortunately, in pursuit of that, Bielsa would fall short. The Argentine is known to be a manager that simply isn’t about longevity. He can come in quickly and improve things, as he has with Leeds, but over time, his inability to manage beyond a year or two means that he’s unable to have a prolonged impact. This, then, would set Everton down a familar path, and though they may push back into the top 6 or top 7 within a year or so under him, they’d more than likely drop back down a few years later.
There’s also the controversial nature of his management. The spy-gate scandal has been a big topic of debate this season, and with good reason. It’s a questionable act, and it’s not befitting of a club of Leeds’ stature. That’s not the end of his controversial nature, though. His personality is fiery and he’s a very colourful character, but often he can overstep the mark. When things don’t go his way, he explodes; and is that what Everton need? Surely they just need a manager that can quietly go about his business, as the job on hand is huge?
Then, of course, there’s the simple question – is he good enough? He’s managed big teams before, of course, but he’s never managed in the Premier League, and he’s never managed a side at such a high level that is in such dire need of improvement. It’s undeniably a risk, even more so than the appointment of Silva, and it’s the sort of risk that isn’t worth betting everything on.
Clearly, Everton may need to make a decision on Silva’s future soon. If he doesn’t improve, something will have to be done. However, Bielsa hasn’t done enough to prove himself worthy of the post, and even if he is good enough, it’s not yet clear as to whether he’s the man they need for this job.
Thoughts?
