TheEvertonskipperdiscusseslifeatGoodisonParkundernewmanagerRafaelBenitez“I want to win a trophy
at the club and I will
keep trying to do that
until I’ve kicked
my last ball”
ManyEvertonsupportersmay
never acceptRafael Benitezas
manageroftheirclub,butToffees
captainSeamusColemanbelievestheformer
Liverpoolbosscanwinthe popular vote among
theGoodisonParkfaithfulifheendstheirlong
waitforatrophy.
Fewmanagerialcoronationshavedivided
a fanbaselike theappointmentofBenitez
atEverton in June,with theformerLiverpool
manager– whoinfamouslydismissed hislatest
employer as a“smallclub”backin 2007 –
facinganuphillbattletowinoverhiscritics.
Yet Colemanbelievesallwith a blue pulse
needtounite behindthelatestincumbentof
theEvertonhotseat.
“Theappointmentofa formerLiverpool
managerwas nevergoingtogodownsowell
withsomeEverton fans,butwe allhavetotake
a step back nowandgetbehindhim,which
I’msure oursupporterswilldo,” saidthe
RepublicofIrelandinternational.
“At theendofthe day, we allwantsuccess
andRafael Benitezhashadsuccess in his
career. He haswon thebiggest trophiesin
thegame,won in differentcountriesandI
knowthefanswillget behindusthisseason
becauseweall wantthesamething– success.
“Hehada greattimeatValencia,hewonstuff at Chelsea,we know he wonstuffat
Liverpool.Hedidwellwith Newcastleand
wona cupwith Napoli.Sohe’sa successful
managerand I thinkasa clubwe’vegotto
getbehindthis.Weall wantthesamething.
“Likeanythinginfootball,it’sall about
results andI’msure themanagerwillget
somegoodresults forusand we canall
moveforwardfromthetalkofthesummer
andwhathisprevioustieswereaswell.
“We’veall gottoget fullybehindthe
newmanagerandtry first andforemostto
impresshimandgetintohisplansandtry
tobesuccessfulfor EvertonFootballClub,
becausethat’swhatweallwant.That’swhat
theboardwant, that’swhattheplayerswant,
that’swhatthemanagerwillwantandit’s
whatthe fanswillwant.”
Benitezistheseventhmanager Coleman
hasworkedunderduring histimeasan
Evertonfirst-teamperformer andheadmits
thatistoo many fora clubwiththeireyes
ontrophysuccess.
“What’sdisappointingfor me is we’vehad
somany managersduringmytimeatthe
club,” continued Coleman.
“Ultimately, that’sa reflectionon the
players– Idon’tthinkthat’sjusta reflection
onthe manager. Personally, I’ve beena partofthe first teamfor 1 2 years,soit’salso
a reflectionon me.
“Wearecryingoutforthatsuccessand
we’ve notgotthatreciperightyet forwhatever
reason.I do believethatthe clubwillwina
trophy very soon.I don’tknowhowsoon
butthat’swhatweare alllookingfor.
“We’regoinginto a new stadiumverysoon,
we’ve gotthefinancialbackingnow we didn’t
havemanyyearsagoandwehavea manager
inplacewhohasa trackrecord of success,
solet’sbepositive.
“It’snotlikeeverything needs to be ripped
upnow andgoagain.ButIdoknow every
managerisdifferentandhe’llwanttoputhis
ownstamponthingsasquicklyaspossible
andbringhisown styleandphilosophy.”
Coleman’s commitmenttotheEvertoncause
washighlightedbythenewcontracthesigned
aheadofthestartofthe season,keepingthe
32-year-oldattheclubuntil 2023. Providing
heavoidsinjuries,heshouldgoontoovertake
TimHoward’sPremierLeagueappearance
recordfor theToffees,havingmadehisdebutin
2009 ina sidemanagedbyDavidMoyes and
featuringMarouaneFellainiandTimCahill.Yet
hestilllackstheonepieceofgold he craves.
“Tobe honest,ifI gettothe endofmy
careerandI haven’twona trophy withWords&InterviewbyKevinPalmer62 WRLDSCCER
SEAMUSCLEMAN