Assistant manager appointment doing the ‘Rounds’
By Ryan G • Jun 27th, 2008 • Category: News |<<< WRITE FOR US >>> SEE LINK ON HOME PAGE OR CLICK HERE
Rumours have resurfaced over the last couple of days with regards to our current vacant assistant managers role. Word from the North East press suggests Newcastle United’s Steve Round is very much on David Moyes’ radar.
The Northern Echo reports Rounds’ contract is up at the end of the month, this coupled with the mid season appointment of Keegan has left Rounds’ position unclear. This has allowed Moyes to step in and Newcastle United are believed to have given Round permission to speak to Everton.
Round at is regarded as of the brightest coaching prospects in England. At just 37 years of age Round can already present an impressive resume, which includes involvement with the full England squad. His career has followed an unusual path in that he only played 9 senior games for Derby County before an injury curtailed a promising career in 1995. He made a decision at this point to join the coaching staff at Derby, establishing himself as a well thought of member of the backroom team at Pride Park.
Rounds’ work at Derby didn’t go unnoticed. After 6 successful years at Derby County Steve Round was appointed by then Middlesbrough incumbent Steve McLaren to the staff of Middlesbrough Football Club. McLaren subsequently moved to a position with England and his regard for Round meant he followed him. His time with England saw him work with Phil Neville and Moyes’ is likely to have sort the opinion of the Everton captain before his approach. A change of regime in the England camp led to Round joining Newcastle at that time under Sam Allardyce in time for the 07/08 Premier League campaign. He was in fact one of Allardyces’ first appointments. New Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has been desperate to keep Round, but a higher profile role at Everton is thought to have tempted Round over to Merseyside and will end Moyes’ search for a number two following the departure of Irvine to Preston last season
Round could be in place as the new number two at Goodison Park as early as next week. This will be a welcome appointment for Moyes, just in time for pre season and could prove to be a real coup given Rounds status in the game as a coaching innovator.
If this comes off this the appointment of Round could be an excellent addition. Getting the right assistant manager in was always going to be a key piece of business. The appointment also needed to in place at the right time, to avoid any disruption to the pre season. Moyes would like an assistant who has an attacking frame of mind. Rounds’ reputation suggests he sees coaching as a constant learning curve and he is a man willing to try new ideas. The only black spot on his record came at Middlesbrough – where he and Gareth Southgate had a difference of opinion with regards to the coaching direction at the club. Playing devils advocate and offering differing footballing views though may well prove not to be a bad thing, as surely adding a ‘yes man’ would offer little long term benefit.
An appointment of an assistant manager may also allay fears with regards to David Moyes’ immediate future. Hopefully Round will be the first of a number of new additions this summer, which will allow Evertonian’s everywhere to go into the season full of confidence.
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If an appointment is made by Moyes then you wouldn’t expect Moyes not to sign his contract – would you…
Good article. I’d be happy if Round comes to Goodison. We need someone to come in before pre-season which starts on the 3rd. This also shows that Moyes has committed to us and should sign a new contract soon.