Johnny Carey

1958-1961

Managed: 122
Won: 51
Drawn: 22
Lost: 49

Following the departure of Ian Buchan, the Everton board appointed Johnny Carey as manager in October 1958.

He had enjoyed a prolific playing career at Manchester United, continuing to play for them despite the outbreak of the Second World War and stayed with them throughout their post-war glory days.

He had also guested for Everton, making a few appearances in the 1942/43 campaign.

Upon the conclusion of his playing career he had spent time coaching Ireland’s team for the 1948 Olympics then moved on to Blackburn Rovers, taking them to the First Division in 1958.

Joining Everton, Carey's quiet assuredness seemed the perfect antidote to an increasing lack of confidence in the club. Lucky enough to secure millionaire Everton supporter John Moores as a club benefactor, Carey used Moores' financial backing to enter the transfer market, acquiring such luminaries as Roy Vernon, Billy Bingham, Alex Young and Jimmy Gabriel.

Following two low seasons, Carey's leadership saw Everton reach their highest league position since the war in the 1960/61 season, finishing fifth. However, with the increased financial backing of Moores, and the removal of the maximum players' wage, football was starting to become big business. In a new era of market forces, anything less than first place was sure to be seen as failure.

His success was not enough for the growing demands of the Everton board and the club supporters. As a result, rumours of Carey's impending dismissal were rife. Joining Moores, by now the new Club Chairman, at a Football League meeting in London, Carey was famously informed of his departure in the back of a taxi.