Snapshot: Anders Limpar

We speak to the Swede about Everton, the FA Cup and becoming a manager.

In 1993 Anders Limpar watched from the sidelines as Arsenal lifted both the FA Cup and League Cup at Wembley.

Two years later he finally got his chance to run out at England's national stadium, though this time he was wearing the royal blue of Everton.

Ninety-minutes later he was an FA Cup winner again, and this time he had made a telling contribution. The Swede ran relentlessly, helping the Toffees to a shock 1-0 victory over Alex Ferguson's all-conquering Manchester United side.

evertonfc.com spoke to Limpar about his time at Everton, that famous day at Wembley and his new venture into football management.

The 1994-95 FA Cup-winning Everton squad
Click here to see an enlarged version of this image

Who's in the picture?

[From top left to bottom right] Gary Ablett, Graham Stuart, John Ebrell, Gary Rowett, Joe Parkinson, Matt Jackson, Paul Rideout, Andy Hinchcliffe, Paul Holmes, Neil Moore, Jimmy Martin, Jimmy Gabriel, Duncan Ferguson, Vinny Samways, Jason Kearton, Neville Southall, Stephen Reeves, Tony Grant, Chris Priest, Willie Donachie, Les Helm, David Unsworth, Stuart Barlow, Barry Horne, Anders Limpar, Joe Royle, Dave Watson, David Burrows, Daniel Amokachi, Brett Angell.

What links them to Arsenal?

Anders Limpar [Bottom row, fourth from left] - Limpar arrived at Everton in March 1995 after four years at Highbury. He went onto score six goals in 82 appearances for the Toffees before leaving for Birmingham City in January 1997.

The Interview - Anders Limpar

Anders, first of all, what you are up to these days?

Well I'm doing fine. I'm now the manager of a second division team in Sweden called Sollentuna United. Our season is over and we came third, so we're quite pleased with that. I'm running a betting shop too so I'm pleased with that and everyday is exciting.

We've heard a little rumour that you pulled on your boots again recently?

[Laughs] Yes, it's true. My team were a couple of players short. It was nothing special. I played left back for what is actually the reserve team. It is like playing in the fourth or fifth division in England but it was kind of fun, you know. I played ok. It's not the best level, so I coped.

Looking back now, how do you remember your Everton career?

I have very fond memories of my time at Everton. The team spirit we had was the best I had with any team I played in - even better than Arsenal. I had three great years there and made a lot of friends. We managed to win the FA Cup which was something special, and I always go back once a year to see Everton play. I miss everything about Everton. It's sad to get over, isn't it?

It's fair to say Everton went through a rollercoaster spell during your time here, isn’t it?

Yes, it started off on a bad note actually. We were almost going down and we had a couple of particularly bad performances I remember. We played Sheffield Wednesday away and lost 5-1, I think that was the worst. We just weren't playing too great as a team. But then Joe Royle took over and I think he was one of the best managers I had. Suddenly you started to feel like a player again. He gave good advice and he always talked to his players. He helped build a good spirit and that's why we won the FA Cup - because of that spirit.

A proud Anders Limpar with the FA Cup

What was it like to beat Manchester United that day?

A week or so before the final we played Ipswich Town away and managed to win 1-0 to stay in the Premier League. Suddenly a week later we were playing in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. It wasn't real. We took it as a bonus and I think we won it because we had nothing to lose. They on the otherhand had everything to lose. We started off well and got ourselves in front. We knew we were a good defensive team so we made it hard for them and they couldn't score against us. It was a big, big, big upset and I have great memories of that day.

It must be up there with your career highlights?

In 1993 when Arsenal won the League and FA Cups I was injured, so I'd never played in a Wembley final. To finally walk out with Everton to face 'the mighty' Manchester United was like a fairytale.

That team had such potential but things never quite went to plan. What went wrong?

I don't know. We came sixth the year after [the Cup final] but we were lacking just one centre half. The rest of the team was there in my opinion. We had three goalscorers in Duncan Ferguson, Paul Rideout and Graham Stuart. We had two good wingers in myself and Andrei Kanchelskis and then we had three tremendous, hard-working players in midfield. But after that year Everton sold almost everybody. If we could have stayed together and added two good defenders I think we could have nicked the league title within a couple of years.

You mention some big names there but who was the best player you played with here?

I played with some great players but I have to say Kanchelskis was the best. He was great. He was a good passer, lightning quick, he scored vital goals, he had good mental strength - he was a complete player.

Finally, what are your hopes and plans for the future?

I don't know actually. I just take one day at a time. This is my first year as a manager and I'm still getting used to all the problems that come with it and all the joys that come with it too. I'm learning everyday so I'm not sure yet if I want to manage at a higher level. I just need to see over the next couple of years if this is something for me.