News

Story of how Neville Southall nearly became Everton manager has a great punchline

John Plunkett. Updated July 27th, 2018

 

https://twitter.com/SimonNRicketts/status/922796396998250496

Just in case you can’t read it (Alan Myers is Everton’s former communications director) here it is again.

“I don’t think anybody, including Neville himself, was aware of how close he came to becoming Everton manager.

I was outside Bellefield with Peter Johnson the morning after Joe [Royle] had left and we were discussing who should take over as caretaker boss.

‘I have a shortlist of two’ said the chairman. ‘Dave Watson and Neville, but I’m leaning towards Neville because a goalkeeper has less responsibility on the pitch.’

At this point Neville pulls up in the carpark – it was early and he was always first in for training – gets out his car and heads to the Bellefield entrance.

Seeing me he yells, ‘Alright Alan, you fat cunt!’ As he headed in through the doors, Peter says, very dryly, ‘I think the shortlist is down to one.’”

Back of the net!

Source