THE MANAGERIAL VACANCY...

Roberto Martinez.

With Kenwright expected to reach a decision relatively soon, I can't help but pray that he replicates or even betters his last one. David Moyes didn't win an inch of silverware while at Goodison - it's possibly his biggest regret that he'll take with him to United, but this didn't necessarily make him a bad manager. He took us from the approaching shadow of Championship football to the allure of Europe in the then named UEFA Cup and ultimately consolidated our position as a top half team with ambition.
The favourite to take over is Roberto Martinez - the Spaniard who is credited with Wigan's top flight status year in, year out...until now. Even the Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan has labelled Roberto as "fantastic" and more recently - "tailor-made" for us at Everton. And who are we to doubt a 76 year old who only a few weeks ago claimed that he was confident that Martinez would stay put? This 'fantastic' coach has managed  just over half a century of wins in over 170 games in charge for the Latics. The stats don't lie!

Other names included in the so called 'List of Three' are Porto Manager Vitor Pereira and former Schalke and Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick. I have issues with these candidates, who both have held talks with Kenwright in the past fortnight. Pereira has achieved a lot in just two years with the Portuguese Champions, but might use Everton as a 'stepping stone'. The 54 year old German Rangnick has a history with health problems (stress) - the prime reason for his departure with Schalke in 2011. If you ask me the most stressful job right now would be the one at Goodison Park!! 

One thing is for sure - Moyes set such high standards - like finishing above our rivals Liverpool for consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1930's - can the next manager improve with the limited resources which sadly come with this great football club? No matter what the decision, it is important that Evertonians such as myself get behind the new gaffer, give him a warm reception and most importantly give him time.