Moshiri, Allardyce send mixed messages on hiring motivations

At long last, Everton’s official communications outlets have broken their relative silence regarding the appointment of Sam Allardyce. The 63 year old Englishman replaces Ronald Koeman, and will take charge for the first time against Huddersfield Town at the weekend.

The problem, though, is that the confused nature of Everton’s hiring process has been laid bare in the comments of both Allardyce and Farhad Moshiri.

Speaking to the club website, Big Sam had this to say.

Because, ultimately, it’s the ambition of the Club, the ambition of the Owner and the Board, allied to the fact that it’s Everton and all the fantastic history, which have proved to be key for me.

Ambition is important for any manager or coach, owner or director. It’s what you need to have and hopefully we can deliver to the fans to get this Club high up the league. That’s what we’re aiming for.

Meanwhile, Moshiri’s comments were a little less forward-thinking (for now - we hope):

More than anything he (Allardyce) will bring stability. He is a strong leader with a great track record. He will be able to stabilise Everton’s position in the top half of the table and give us a platform to move on.

He uses the players he has. He is very effective and a great leader. That is what we need.

I think they have a leader in this Club and at USM Finch Farm, which provides stability.

He will give it his all and his focus 24 hours a day is this Club. I’ve followed him for many years and I’ve been a great fan of him. This is the biggest stage for him and I’m sure he will rise up to this.

Stability. A platform to move on.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

On the one hand, perhaps it’s for the best that it doesn’t sound like Moshiri is planning on Allardyce for the long term. On the other, these seeming contradictions represent continued confusion in Everton’s hiring process. Is Big Sam here to be ambitious, or is he here to stabilize the club? Does anyone know?

Paul Joyce reported earlier today that Bill Kenwright was not involved in the managerial hiring process, which is an interesting twist in and of itself. Perhaps Farhad Moshiri is realizing that when it comes to leading the club, there can be no time for a fractured leadership group.

We’ll support Sam Allardyce, because we support Everton. You couldn’t blame someone, though, for getting those hot Marco Silva takes ready to go back in the oven come summer.