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Bill: We've made the Wright choice
Everton announce new manager
Everton and Bill Kenwright yesterday announced their new manager last night, and to the shock of most - it wasn't favourite
Roberto Martinez OR former Schalke boss
Ralf Rangnick.
Instead, recently retired Toffees captain
Phil Neville will take the hotseat.
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Phil Neville will lead Everton as a manager instead of a captain
Neville started his footballing career in the youth ranks at Manchester United alongside brother Gary, making his debut in the 1994-95 season with the rest of the 'Fergie's Fledglings'. However, he was not able to establish himself as the first choice left-back until the 2000s due to the consistency of experienced Denis Irwin. In October 2005, the Bury-born blonde joined Everton for a fee of around £3.5m. The next season, he was announced as then captain David Weir's deputy. On Weir's departure to Rangers in January of that season, Neville was entrusted with the armband and has been the Toffee's skipper right until his retirement last month. The younger Neville was also successful on the international stage, winning 59 caps for England between 1996 and 2007.
Kenwright has insisted that Neville is the right man for the job. "
I was in the middle of deciding our manager when Phil rang me up and told me he wanted to be considered for the job." he said.
"We got to talking and he's telling me about all these elaborate plans he's got for the club and some revolutionary changes we could make to the youth system. For me, he ticks all the boxes,"
"He knows the club. The club knows him. He's got the respect of all our players, he knows what's been happening in the club for the last few years. And from what David Moyes has told me, he's not a bad tactician either."
Kenwright dismissed suggestions that Neville's lack of managerial experience would prove to be problematic.
"It's not like he hasn't managed at all. He has his UEFA B license and he helped coach the English under 21 team last season. And he's basically been an assistant to David for the past 18 months. We're completely confident in Philip's ability to lead us forward."
Neville's immediate task is to keep hold of talismanic duo
Marouane Fellaini and
Leighton Baines.
Both have become key players for Everton in recent years, with Baines establishing himself as one of the Premier League's best left-backs and 6'4" Fellaini exhibiting his all-round skills. The English left-back is being chased by
David Moyes who is keen to return for the former Wigan player, as well as
Chelsea who are after a replacement for Ashley Cole. Belgian Fellaini is also being pursued by Moyes, as well as
Arsenal,
Spurs and moneybags outfit
Paris Saint-Germain.