Sam Allardyce is the most scientific and innovative boss of his generation, the chance of Marco Silva changing Everton is limited

The team once labelled the Dogs of War have axed the ex-England boss - will the decision come back to bite them?

Martin Lipton

Published: 12:50, 16 May 2018
Updated: 13:17, 16 May 2018

Sam Allardyce is already plotting changes in the transfer window - with a striker his top priority

So, Everton have got what they wanted.

Or, perhaps more accurately, got rid of what they haven’t wanted.

Sam Allardyce is set to be axed in the next 48 hours — Sam Allardyce has been sacked by Everton despite steering them well clear of relegationCredit: PA:Press Association

Once Sam Allardyce achieved his first task at Goodison, taking a listing ship away from the relegation rocks and anchoring it in safe harbour, he was suddenly the rogue captain.

Forget that Everton were just three points and two places out of the drop zone when Allardyce was parachuted in and finished eighth, closer in points to Arsenal than 18th-placed Swansea.

None of that mattered. Not for the Goodison faithful.

They, of course, “saw through” the manager.

Everton fans made their feelings clear about AllardyceCredit: Alamy Live News

Farhad Moshiri was involved in a fiery meeting with Allardyce this morning — Farhad Moshiri was involved in a fiery meeting with Allardyce before pulling the triggerCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Recognised a man who failed to understand the supporters. Who could not deliver the sort of football that fans at the Gwladys Street end expected. Who did not fit the club.

Allardyce, they feel, is not a disciple of the “School of Science” philosophy on which the club’s principles are based.

FIRED MAN SAM Sam Allardyce sacked by Everton after ‘fiery’ meeting with owner

Ironic, in many ways, given that, for all the image he has, the (briefly) former England boss is arguably the most scientific and innovative home-grown coach of his generation.

That since David Moyes left, Everton have finished 5th, 11th, 11th, 7th and now 8th did not register.

Apparently, the Toffees should be a big club. Should be better than Spurs and Chelsea. Should be at least on a par with Liverpool. And should be a team to make the whole of football swoon.

Sam Allardyce accused Farhad Moshiri of failing to back him at a fiery meeting when he was sacked this morningCredit: AFP

Reality, it seems, does not get a look-in. Not when envy and jealousy strike.

To dream big is not a flaw in any fanbase. Everton are, still, one of the great footballing institutions. A club with heritage, with names that resonate down the years and through the generations.

But their last trophy was the FA Cup in 1995. And that was a team labelled “the Dogs of War” by its own manager, Joe Royle.

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There was no comparison with the football played by Harvey, Kendall and Ball in the 60s, nor that of the mid 80s side, with Sheedy, Reid, Bracewell and Steven comprising one of the great midfield quartets.

Moyes got the team to punch above its modern weight, yet there was a sense of relief from many when he went, as they wanted more style, more elegance.

Yet if you are not, truly, prepared to pay for elegance and style - unless your transfer punts and youth production line really pay off - you have to settle for functional. Or risk falling over the abyss.

Marco Silva is expected to be the man Everton turn to as their new managerCredit: PA:Press Association

It does not matter who comes in next. The likelihood of spectacular change is limited. Improvements need to be incremental, from a solid starting base.

Everton, we know, wanted Marco Silva in the autumn, their pursuit serving only to sever the Portuguese’s bonds with the players he had at Watford, leading to his sacking a few months later.