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Everton’s caretaker, David Unsworth, gets involved during Friday’s training session at Finch Farm.
Everton’s caretaker, David Unsworth, gets involved during Friday’s training session at Finch Farm. Photograph: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images
Everton’s caretaker, David Unsworth, gets involved during Friday’s training session at Finch Farm. Photograph: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images

David Unsworth admits there is no time frame for his role as Everton caretaker

This article is more than 6 years old
Under-23 manager has had ‘honest’ talks with Farhad Moshiri
Unsworth expected to be given at least until November international break

David Unsworth has held talks with Everton’s major shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, as he attempts to convince the club’s hierarchy he can be the long-term replacement for Ronald Koeman as manager.

The club’s academy and under-23 manager insists there is no time frame on his caretaker role with the first team, although he is expected to get until next month’s international break to press his claim. Moshiri and the chairman, Bill Kenwright, have been encouraged by the reaction of players and fans to the temporary appointment, plus the team’s second-half performance in the 2-1 League Cup loss at Chelsea on Wednesday. However, as the former Everton defender admitted, results will determine whether he succeeds Koeman on a permanent basis.

Unsworth’s second stint in caretaker charge started with Everton’s eighth loss in 12 matches in all competitions, and he travels to Leicester City on Sunday before a Europa League trip to Lyon and a home game against Watford. An upturn in results in those games may well see the 44-year-old’s tenure extended.

“I had a really good chat with Farhad last night,” Unsworth said. “There are no secrets or hidden agendas. We are very honest and I’ll continue to be like that for however long.” Asked whether Moshiri gave any assurance that Unsworth will get the run he has requested, he replied: “Not in terms of number of games or anything like that. We spoke about the team, the performance at Chelsea and the next few games coming up. But there was no indication of a time frame and that’s absolutely fine because as any manager or coach will tell you, you go game to game anyway.”

Unsworth has made no secret of his desire to land the Everton job. He insists the precarious nature of the role – even at Goodison Park, where Koeman and Roberto Martínez were sacked inside 17 months – has not diluted that ambition.

He said: “The game has changed. Managers have less time than they ever had. Does it make me afraid of that? No. This is my passion and what I want to do. You can’t be fearful of what you want to do and what you love. I am a great believer in fate and things happening for a reason. You have to win games when you are a big club and that will keep you in a job.”

Unsworth’s team selection at Chelsea was notable for the absence of most of the expensive summer signings. Wayne Rooney was the only outfield player who started, with the £45m record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson and the £30m defender Michael Keane on the bench. Unsworth claims his choice was not a reflection of Everton’s transfer strategy and insists his selections will not be influenced by price-tags. “It is just a number and the players don’t determine that either,” he said.

“I will always pick what I believe is the strongest team to win a game of football. It doesn’t matter if they are new signings or if they have come through the ranks. From my eyes, and from what I know, I picked what I thought was the best team on the night.

“I think as a team everyone has more to show. Everyone can do more. Not just any individual. And I wouldn’t pinpoint any individual. Over the period in time from the start of the season we have underperformed. I think everyone needs to improve and hopefully everyone will while I am here.”

Idrissa Gana Gueye is close to signing a contract extension, meanwhile. The Senegal midfielder, 28, Koeman’s second recruit as Everton manager, was handed a four-year deal when he arrived from Aston Villa for £7.1m in 2016 but that is expected to be replaced by an improved five-year contract.

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