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'I want to manage'

David Unsworth says he wants Everton job full-time squad travel to Chelsea clash by train

The U23 coach has even started working on trying to persuade wantaway midfielder Ross Barkley to stay at the club

DAVID UNSWORTH wants the Everton manager's job - and is already working on keeping Ross Barkley at the club.

The U23s boss stepped into an interim role for the second time in 18 months after Ronald Koeman was sacked on Monday.

 David Unsworth has already been busy in his new role - most pressing was guiding his squad onto the right London-bound train today
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David Unsworth has already been busy in his new role - most pressing was guiding his squad onto the right London-bound train todayCredit: iCelebTV
 Wayne Rooney will be hoping the huge billboard he walked past won't bring him any bad luck
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Wayne Rooney will be hoping the huge billboard he walked past won't bring him any bad luckCredit: Maverick Photography

This came following the club's drop into the bottom three, and Unsworth has immediately announced his desire to secure the role full-time.

A host of bigger-name and more experienced candidates are being linked with the vacancy.

But Unsworth hopes to persuade chairman Bill Kenwright and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri to look closer to home.

Unsworth is a former Toffees player in two spells from 1992-97 and 1998-2004, making 350 appearances and scoring 40 goals.

 Wayne Rooney and Ashley Williams make their way onto the platform today
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Wayne Rooney and Ashley Williams make their way onto the platform todayCredit: iCelebTV
 Mason Holgate gets set for his train ride to the capital ahead of Everton's cup clash at Chelsea
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Mason Holgate gets set for his train ride to the capital ahead of Everton's cup clash at ChelseaCredit: iCelebTV
 Tom Davies, pictured following Wayne Rooney, has been a bright spark for Everton this season
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Tom Davies, pictured following Wayne Rooney, has been a bright spark for Everton this seasonCredit: iCelebTV
 Ademola Lookman might be hoping for more of a look-in under David Unsworth
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Ademola Lookman might be hoping for more of a look-in under David UnsworthCredit: iCelebTV

On the role, he said: "Who wouldn't want this job? It is a wonderful football club with amazing fans and it is a top job for any manager, myself included.

"I want to manage. I think the time has come to say that and I make no secret of it at all.


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"The chairman, Farhad and the board have given me an amazing opportunity to hopefully get a run of games where performance levels go up and we produce some wins as well.

"From that performances and results will dictate any future for me as Everton manager."

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Unsworth's priority is undoubtedly to haul the side out of their current malaise which has seen them win just twice in 13 matches.

He led the rest of the squad today as they caught the train to London ahead of their Carabao Cup clash at Chelsea tomorrow.

However, Unsworth has also set himself the target of convincing the currently-injured Barkley, who had what can best be described as a fractious relationship with Koeman, to remain at the club.

The England international, who almost moved to Chelsea on deadline day, has eight months remaining on his current deal having refused to sign a new contract at the end of last season and subsequently being told by the Dutchman he would be sold.

 Jonjoe Kenny and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are the new breed of Everton players coming through
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Jonjoe Kenny and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are the new breed of Everton players coming throughCredit: iCelebTV
 Once on the train platform, the players might have been chilling out, but it was work, work, work for David Unsworth
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Once on the train platform, the players might have been chilling out, but it was work, work, work for David UnsworthCredit: iCelebTV
 Former Everton footballer and current U23 coach David Unsworth fancies the job full-time
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Former Everton footballer and current U23 coach David Unsworth fancies the job full-timeCredit: iCelebTV

Unsworth added: "I would absolutely love him to stay. He is a top talent.

"Everton has done great for him and he's done great for Everton but he could be one of the all-time greats here.

"I would love him to be persuaded by myself, the chairman and Farhad to stay and sign a contract.

"We shouldn't be losing players of his quality. He is a top player and a great player who has come through our ranks and I feel very strongly we shouldn't be losing our own players.

 Everton players looked relaxed in training today as David Unsworth led it for the first time
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Everton players looked relaxed in training today as David Unsworth led it for the first timeCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Wayne Rooney will be one of the players David Unsworth expects can lead the side out of the doldrums
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Wayne Rooney will be one of the players David Unsworth expects can lead the side out of the doldrumsCredit: Getty - Contributor
 If David Unsworth can get the best out of striker Wayne Rooney, Everton could pull themselves away from danger
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If David Unsworth can get the best out of striker Wayne Rooney, Everton could pull themselves away from dangerCredit: Getty - Contributor

"I have not spoken to him about that (his contract) but I will be doing.

"I'd love him to sit down and have a cup of tea with me and discuss the possibility of signing and staying here because we love him and I know he loves Everton as well.

"I want everyone to come together and hopefully we can thrash something out with Ross."

Unsworth must first negotiate a tricky Carabao Cup tie at Chelsea on Wednesday which has unexpectedly landed in his lap at short notice.

 Dominic Calvert-Lewin wore a protective mask in training today ahead of the Chelsea cup clash
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin wore a protective mask in training today ahead of the Chelsea cup clashCredit: Getty - Contributor
 There was a relaxed atmosphere in Everton training today despite it being a tumultuous few days
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There was a relaxed atmosphere in Everton training today despite it being a tumultuous few daysCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Leighton Baines, pictured here centre, is another who will be expecting to help lead the side back to form
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Leighton Baines, pictured here centre, is another who will be expecting to help lead the side back to formCredit: Getty - Contributor

A good performance would help start build some momentum for the more important Premier League trip to Leicester at the weekend and also enhance his prospects to keep the job permanently.

He added: "I spent the afternoon with the chairman yesterday and we spoke everything Everton, from how many games to individual players to plans for the short-term and long-term," he said.

"I'll give it everything I've got. The club needs a winning manager, that is simple.

"We want a manager who knows the club but more importantly will win trophies because that is what we need."

 Considering they had just seen their manager Ronald Koeman sacked, Everton's players seemed in good spirits
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Considering they had just seen their manager Ronald Koeman sacked, Everton's players seemed in good spiritsCredit: Getty - Contributor
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