Silva Appointment Excites Skipper

Phil Jagielka says he is excited about Everton’s future under Marco Silva after hearing "glowing reports" about his new boss.

The Blues skipper has been enthused after seeking the opinion of friends who have previously operated under the Portuguese at Watford and Hull City.

And Jagielka, who joined Everton from Sheffield United in 2007, insists the squad will be eager to work hard in pre-season, impress their incoming leader, and help the Toffees get off to a flying start in the new campaign.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to about him has said they’ve really enjoyed playing under him,” he said.

“I’ve got a few good friends at Watford and Hull and I haven’t heard a bad word said about him. He’s got high standards. He’ll expect us to work hard and train hard – and he’ll let us know exactly what he expects from us.

“I know the players and the fans will all get behind him. We have a new manager and new ideas and everyone will be super excited.”

Jagielka is hopeful Silva’s appointment can herald the start of a bright new era for Everton.

Both Silva and Director of Football Marcel Brands have discussed their wish to build a long-term structure at the Club, and the centre-back believes such stability would only benefit the Blues.

“He’s a very good manager and hopefully we’ll see the fruits of that in the coming seasons,” he said.

“For him to come straight into the Premier League and make such an impression is exciting for us.


“He’s obviously seen the potential and how much of a big club we are and that’s why he wanted to come here.

“He’s a young manager, too. We have enjoyed having managers here for long periods in the past – it gives us solidity and I believe we can move forward in the years to come.”

In previous managerial spells at Estoril, Sporting Lisbon, Olympiakos, Hull City and Watford, Silva has been renowned for implementing a dynamic, progressive style of football.

Crucially, Silva has a track record of achieving outstanding results with this expansive approach.

In his first season in management, in 2011/12, he won the Portuguese second division with Estoril. Silva then led the small Greater Lisbon outfit into Europe for the first time in their history, as they achieved successive fifth and fourth-place Primeira Liga finishes.

Upon moving to Sporting Lisbon, he won the 2015 Portuguese Cup – the club’s first trophy in seven years – before taking the reins at Olympiakos where he secured a runaway Greek title success.

Silva’s time in England has seen him revitalise a Hull side who were languishing at the bottom of the Premier League – taking them to within touching distance of safety – before moving to Watford, where his high-octane football again caught the eye.

Jagielka – who has racked up 378 appearances for the Blues in his 11 years at the Club – is hugely excited about the methods the new boss will bring to Goodison Park, and believes the manager’s philosophy will resonate will fans and players alike.


“That attacking brand is what the fans love to see here,” he said. “If we can do that, and the results come too, everyone will be happy.

“You always look forward to those sorts of games where you’re allowed to go and express yourself a little bit more.

“It is about doing it at the right time but also having a plan B and plan C, too.”

Jagielka is champing at the bit to return for pre-season at USM Finch Farm and admits having a new manager will give the Blues' summer training sessions an added edge.

“There will be a little bit of added pressure coming back with everyone needing to perform straightaway,” he explained. “That can only be a good thing.

“Everyone will be in the same boat. It’ll be like the first day at school – everyone trying their best to impress. We want to get to a good start next season and move the Club forward.”