What next for Everton and Marco Silva? Top-six should be the aim
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Marco Silva’s appointment as Everton manager should signal the start of a revival on Merseyside.
The Portuguese tactician has signed a three-year-deal at Goodison Park following the disappointing reigns of Roberto Martinez, Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce.
All of the above trio started their respective stints as manager in promising fashion before eventually being found out by a combination of poor results and listless performances.
However, Silva promises something different. Just as Jurgen Klopp had an energising effect following his appointment as Liverpool boss in 2015, the 40-year-old can do the same for Everton.
The former right-back has enjoyed a modicum of success wherever he has managed, and usually straight off the bat.
His first season in professional management brought a Segunda Liga title success with Estoril in Portugal.
That was followed up with Sporting Lisbon’s first trophy in seven years when Silva landed the Taca de Portugal in 2015. A switch to Greece brought another title success, this time with Olympiacos by a 30-point margin.
He also revived the fortunes of Hull City and Watford in Premier League. His spells at those clubs didn’t end in the desired manner, but they did help him secure his reputation as one of the game’s most progressive young bosses.
Ask the majority of players to have played under him and they talk of his excellent man management.
For a squad that has arguably been unloved and under-coached for some time that could prove pivotal to his appointment and future success.
His style of play also lends itself to the promising young talents the Toffees have at their disposal.
Going forward, in particular, Silva already has plenty of the requisite tools to provide a marked improvement on several seasons of underachievement on Merseyside.
Not only that but next season’s Premier League offers a real opportunity for a club like Everton to made serious strides.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all look set to dominate for some time to come. But outside of that elite trio, there’s reason to suggest the league is getting weaker.
Why? Well, Tottenham Hotspur are in limbo over whether they can afford to keep their prize assets. Mauricio Pochettino, too, faces an uncertain future despite recently signing a new contract in North London.
Their rivals Arsenal are an unknown quantity following the appointment of Unai Emery at the Emirates Stadium. It could go one of two ways for the Gunners next season.
As for Chelsea, they’re a club lacking in any real direction with a managerial situation that needs sorting soon rather than later.
All of those factors add up to suggest that Everton are well-placed to pounce on any mishaps by the newly established “top-six” next season.
Silva has a habit of hitting the ground running at each of his new clubs. Blues fans will be hoping he can do the same at Goodison Park.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
