Jack Rodwell now calls Western Sydney Wanderers home in Australia but the former England international started his career at Everton and he speaks to KEEPUP’s Sacha Pisani about the Toffees and their situation.
Everton are on the hunt for a new manager but former Toffees midfielder Jack Rodwell would love to see club legend Duncan Ferguson oversee a new era at Goodison Park.
Ferguson, like he has before, is keeping the managerial seat warm on a caretaker basis after Everton sacked Rafael Benitez, with the team languishing worryingly close to the Premier League relegation zone, despite significant investment under owner Farhad Moshiri.
Everton – 16th in the standings and just four points above safety – have been heavily linked with ex-Fenerbahce and Porto head coach Vitor Pereira in recent days.
Ferguson was already on the Everton staff as assistant manager, having also worked with previous bosses Carlo Ancelotti, Ronald Koeman and Roberto Martinez at Goodison Park, and he has emerged as a possible option.
The 50-year-old Scotsman, who represented Everton across two different spells as a player between 1994-1998 and 2000-2006, and won the FA Cup, knows the Toffees inside out and amid ongoing speculation, Rodwell backed the much-loved Everton figure for the top job.
Speaking to KEEPUP, Western Sydney Wanderers star Rodwell – who joined Everton’s academy aged 7 and made over 100 appearances before joining Manchester City in 2012, said: “It’s hard to say without being in the building exactly why it’s gone wrong. Obviously they’ve spent a lot of money and a lot of money on managers as well.
“When we were there, we had David Moyes, who was there for a long period of time. You kind of get a stable home for the players. I’m not sure if that’s got anything to do with it, but from the outside looking in, that’s one thing I would say there’s been quite a bit of chopping and changing with managers. That breeds players who are happy and then unhappy with the new manager. That has a knock-on effect with performance. I’m not sure if that’s the case there.
“Big Duncs has the role now. Being an Everton fan as a kid, I would love if they just gave it to him. But when they have so much money behind them and they want to invest in the best managers with the best CVs, I’m not sure if they’ll do that but if it was me, I’d certainly look at him. That’s if he wants the position anyway.
“I’m speaking from a fans point of view, and I’d love it if they gave it to him permanently. It rules out the chopping and changing. Just give him time and see what he can do with the club. They have good players anyway, they will do well anyway as long as they have that behind-the-scenes stability.”
Rodwell, who played alongside Socceroos great Tim Cahill at Everton and now plies his trade in the Isuzu UTE A-League after relocating with his family to Australia last year, added: “I don’t know if I ever thought Carlo Ancelotti was ever a long-term kind of manager. I thought he was a bit of an in and out thing. That’s fine, he is doing what he is doing.
“At least with Ferguson, you know how he feels about the club and you know that every decision he makes will be for the long-term benefit for the club and not necessarily the short-term benefit for him.
“He knows the club inside out. He knows what it means to the fans and everyone else. I’m sure other managers do also but there’s nothing like being in the building yourself and wearing that jersey and knowing what it feels like. I think it’s something that gets overlooked a little bit.”
Another Everton great has been linked with the vacancy – Wayne Rooney, who left for United in 2004 but returned in 2017.
Former England and United captain Rooney has emerged as an option thanks to his incredible work with embattled Championship side Derby County.
Derby, who were deducted 21 points for financial irregularities, face expulsion from the English Football League (EFL) and possible liquidation as they fight to survive.
Amid the chaos, ex-Everton star Rooney has Derby dreaming of a great escape, with the Rams off the bottom of the table and within eight points of safety.
Rooney’s managerial career is still in its infancy but three-time England international Rodwell said: “He has done a great job this season under very difficult circumstances.
“Knowing the club, like Big Duncan. Being an Evertonian himself, however you look at it, he is an England legend. Born and bred as an Evertonian, so as a fan, he would be someone I’d love to see.
“I grew up watching him. I’m not sure every Evertonian would say the same but the majority would. I think he’s done a great job at Derby. Personally, I’d love to see him as well as Big Dun. Either or of them for me.”
