David Unsworth has told Everton that they will not be taking a gamble by making him their new boss.
Unsworth, the former England defender who was part of the Mersey Blues team that won the club’s last trophy 22 years ago, has stepped up from managing the Under-23s to take temporary charge following Ronald Koeman’s sacking.
But he wants the job on a permanent basis – and he insists that his knowledge of the Goodison Park club compensates for his lack on big-time experience.
Unsworth said: “I don’t think it would be a gamble at all.
“I am a realist, not a dreamer, so I know any manager coming into any club is some kind of gamble. There are no guarantees for anybody.
“But I know the club inside-out. I know the fans inside-out and the demands of what is needed. I can’t decide what will happen – that’s down to other people. All I can do is give it my best shot.
“But I don’t think I’m a gamble one little bit.
“It’s a great challenge – one that I’m not afraid of. I’m excited about it and, for however long it lasts, I’ll just give it my best shot.
“I think I’ll be judged on performances and on results like any other manager - and I think that’s fair.”
Unsworth, 44, has developed fine a reputation as a coach after guiding Everton’s youngsters to the Premier League 2 title last season.
But his desire to allow the players he has inherited to express themselves is tempered by his determination to conjure up the kind of spirit that Joe Royle fostered when Everton lifted the FA Cup in 1995.
Royle, will be at Unsworth’s side while the club’s owners decide on who will take Everton forward, hated the ‘Dogs of War’ tag that his team were burdened with.
But with John Ebbrell and Duncan Ferguson also alongside their former team-mate, there will be no shortage of Everton experience.
And Unsworth is also ready to lean on boyhood Blue Wayne Rooney for his expertise as he tries to instil the kind of Everton values that were beyond Koeman.
Unsworth said: “I wouldn’t let Joe hear people talking about ‘Dogs of War’, but you do need that desire and the kind of commitment our fans demand.
“You have to scrap for every Premier League point. I know that because I’ve been there. But I know what our fans demand and we will give them that.
“I’ll be happy to go back to the Under-23s if it doesn’t work out. It’s a wonderful job. But I want to be a manager – and I want to be Everton’s manager.”