Carlo Ancelotti has left Everton for Real Madrid. AP
Carlo Ancelotti has left Everton for Real Madrid. AP
Carlo Ancelotti has left Everton for Real Madrid. AP
Carlo Ancelotti has left Everton for Real Madrid. AP

Football

Everton trapped in a cycle of instability following Carlo Ancelotti's departure for Real Madrid

Another manager exits Goodison Park and leaves the club in disarray

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly
Greater Manchester, England

June 03, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

It was in 2016, when Carlo Ancelotti was Bayern Munich manager, that Farhad Moshiri explained Ronald Koeman’s appointment at Everton by describing the north-west of football as “the new Hollywood of football”.

Maybe the old Hollywood has struck back: while Koeman is now Barcelona manager, Real have rehired Ancelotti, plucking him from mid-table in the Premier League.

Two former Everton managers are in charge of arguably the world’s two biggest clubs while another, Roberto Martinez, leads the planet’s top-ranked international side, Belgium.

It poses questions if something is inherently wrong at Goodison Park. Perhaps none really failed at Everton, but the last manager to truly succeed there was David Moyes, who they recruited from Preston.

Ancelotti's sudden departure caps Everton's wretched 2021. Second on Boxing Day, they finished 10th. Their season had long appeared a case of what might have been; now his reign is one of what will never be.

The historic wins at Liverpool and Arsenal and the admirable victories at Tottenham, Leicester and West Ham were cancelled out by wretched home form. Their campaign became a false dawn.

There is a theory that, while he can win knockout competitions, Ancelotti’s lofty reputation disguises a habit of merely doing roughly as well as he should in league seasons with the players at his disposal. Arguably, though, Everton underachieved. They had standout triumphs over 90 minutes, but not over 38 games.

Now they have gone back to square one, searching for a manager again. Eighteen months ago, it felt surprising they had the pulling power to get Ancelotti. Now they lacked the appeal to keep him.

Eighteen months ago, the chairman, Bill Kenwright, advocated returning to Moyes. The less glamorous option, instead, outperformed Ancelotti this season and is likely to sign an extended deal with West Ham.

The choice of Eddie Howe as a boyhood Evertonian appeals to the sentimental Kenwright.

Moshiri, who exerts more influence, has an unfortunate habit of listening to agents, which may benefit Nuno Espirito Santo, famously super agent Jorge Mendes’ first client. It is a moot point if it works for Everton.

Certainly they have looked for managerial shortcuts in their quest to rival their north-west peers; and yet, damningly, they have no top-six finishes under Moshiri.

There has not been a coherent, consistent vision with very different appointments; the common denominator between Koeman, Allardyce and Ancelotti might be that each could be called a charismatic, experienced pragmatist. Marco Silva was supposed to be the rising star, but Everton fell on his watch.

Ancelotti's last game a 5-0 defeat at Man City: the ratings

MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson 8 - After being named the Golden Glove winner for 2020/21, the Brazilian keeper made some key saves, including a penalty stop to deny Sigurdsson, to keep a clean sheet. EPA
MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson 8 - After being named the Golden Glove winner for 2020/21, the Brazilian keeper made some key saves, including a penalty stop to deny Sigurdsson, to keep a clean sheet. EPA
Kyle Walker 8 – The right-back marked his 125th Premier League appearance for City with some quality one-twos along the right wing. He also kept City’s defence tight and made some good tackles. EPA
Kyle Walker 8 – The right-back marked his 125th Premier League appearance for City with some quality one-twos along the right wing. He also kept City’s defence tight and made some good tackles. EPA
Ruben Dias 7 – The FWA’s Player of the Year had a good game though not to his normal standards. He gave away a penalty when he brought down Richarlison in the box, though redeemed himself with a number of good blocks. EPA
Ruben Dias 7 – The FWA’s Player of the Year had a good game though not to his normal standards. He gave away a penalty when he brought down Richarlison in the box, though redeemed himself with a number of good blocks. EPA
John Stones 7 – The former Everton defender had a solid game. He was Mr Reliable, making a number of interceptions and cancelling out Everton’s attacking efforts. Reuters
John Stones 7 – The former Everton defender had a solid game. He was Mr Reliable, making a number of interceptions and cancelling out Everton’s attacking efforts. Reuters
Oleksandr Zinchenko 5 – The young Ukrainian had a disappointing game despite City keeping a clean sheet. He was guilty of a poor back pass that fed through Richarlison before the striker was brought down, and he also gave away the ball on a number of other occasions. AFP
Oleksandr Zinchenko 5 – The young Ukrainian had a disappointing game despite City keeping a clean sheet. He was guilty of a poor back pass that fed through Richarlison before the striker was brought down, and he also gave away the ball on a number of other occasions. AFP
Fernandinho 8 – City’s Captain produced a classic performance in the defensive midfield role; he not only assisted Aguero from a stellar cross, but he also won the ball back in the build-up for two more City goals. EPA
Fernandinho 8 – City’s Captain produced a classic performance in the defensive midfield role; he not only assisted Aguero from a stellar cross, but he also won the ball back in the build-up for two more City goals. EPA
Riyadh Mahrez 8 – The Algerian made his 227th Premier League appearance in style as he bagged an assist with some slick one-touch passes. He put on a show for the fans at the Etihad as he showed off his excellent first touch and crossing ability. Reuters
Riyadh Mahrez 8 – The Algerian made his 227th Premier League appearance in style as he bagged an assist with some slick one-touch passes. He put on a show for the fans at the Etihad as he showed off his excellent first touch and crossing ability. Reuters
Kevin De Bruyne – 9 – The Belgian maestro bagged a brilliant goal from outside the box into the bottom corner to put City ahead, and showed us why he is one of the best players in the world. AFP
Kevin De Bruyne – 9 – The Belgian maestro bagged a brilliant goal from outside the box into the bottom corner to put City ahead, and showed us why he is one of the best players in the world. AFP
Phil Foden 8 – City’s now consistent star showed Gareth Southgate why he should be in the England team as he put his footwork to good use when he scored a great goal early on in the second half. He was later taken off, presumably as a precaution ahead of the Champions League final. EPA
Phil Foden 8 – City’s now consistent star showed Gareth Southgate why he should be in the England team as he put his footwork to good use when he scored a great goal early on in the second half. He was later taken off, presumably as a precaution ahead of the Champions League final. EPA
Raheem Sterling 7 – The 26-year-old wasn’t at his best. He didn’t make the most of his opportunities, though he did get an assist as he laid the ball off to Foden as City went 3-0 up. Reuters
Raheem Sterling 7 – The 26-year-old wasn’t at his best. He didn’t make the most of his opportunities, though he did get an assist as he laid the ball off to Foden as City went 3-0 up. Reuters
Gabriel Jesus 8 – The Brazilian striker scored his 50th Premier League goal after a great run from near the hallway line as City struck on the counter. He could have also got himself an assist, too, but he shot instead of squaring to De Bruyne. Reuters
Gabriel Jesus 8 – The Brazilian striker scored his 50th Premier League goal after a great run from near the hallway line as City struck on the counter. He could have also got himself an assist, too, but he shot instead of squaring to De Bruyne. Reuters
SUB: Rodri (Foden) 6 – The Spaniard was brought on to replace Foden, but he didn’t replace the quality. He missed a sitter in the middle of the box, skying his effort over the bar. Reuters
SUB: Rodri (Foden) 6 – The Spaniard was brought on to replace Foden, but he didn’t replace the quality. He missed a sitter in the middle of the box, skying his effort over the bar. Reuters
SUB: Ferran Torres (Jesus) N/A – The young forward was looking for another goal to carry on his impressive form, but by the time he was brought on the win was already secured and he didn’t get many chances on the ball. EPA
SUB: Ferran Torres (Jesus) N/A – The young forward was looking for another goal to carry on his impressive form, but by the time he was brought on the win was already secured and he didn’t get many chances on the ball. EPA
Sergio Aguero (Mahrez) 9 – In his final City game, the striker made sure to go out in style as he scored a sublime goal with the outside of his foot to put City 4-0 up. He then got on the end of a Fernandinho cross to head home and break another goalscoring record; he has now scored more goals for one Premier League team than any other player in history. Reuters
Sergio Aguero (Mahrez) 9 – In his final City game, the striker made sure to go out in style as he scored a sublime goal with the outside of his foot to put City 4-0 up. He then got on the end of a Fernandinho cross to head home and break another goalscoring record; he has now scored more goals for one Premier League team than any other player in history. Reuters
EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford 6 – The keeper would have wanted more from his defence who left him with little chance of stopping City’s strikes. He did, however, make a number of smart saves to keep the scoreline from growing even further. EPA
EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford 6 – The keeper would have wanted more from his defence who left him with little chance of stopping City’s strikes. He did, however, make a number of smart saves to keep the scoreline from growing even further. EPA
Lucas Digne 6 – The French full-back tried to produce a spark for his side. He had a good run forward but was met with few options. He also made a good tackle to deny City another counterattack. Reuters
Lucas Digne 6 – The French full-back tried to produce a spark for his side. He had a good run forward but was met with few options. He also made a good tackle to deny City another counterattack. Reuters
Ben Godfrey 5 – The former Norwich defender made a number of sloppy passes, including a risky back pass to Pickford, which wasn’t appreciated by the keeper. Reuters
Ben Godfrey 5 – The former Norwich defender made a number of sloppy passes, including a risky back pass to Pickford, which wasn’t appreciated by the keeper. Reuters
Michael Keane 4 – He made a number of mistakes, most notably giving the ball away, which Jesus seized to score. He also played Aguero onside as the striker made it 5-0. AFP
Michael Keane 4 – He made a number of mistakes, most notably giving the ball away, which Jesus seized to score. He also played Aguero onside as the striker made it 5-0. AFP
Mason Holgate 5 – Had a poor game and was totally dominated by the skill and pace of Foden and Sterling on the left-hand side of the pitch. Ultimately, a day to forget. Reuters
Mason Holgate 5 – Had a poor game and was totally dominated by the skill and pace of Foden and Sterling on the left-hand side of the pitch. Ultimately, a day to forget. Reuters
Allan 6 – The midfielder was let down by some of his teammates. He displayed some good control when on the ball, but City’s attack was too much for him to handle. AFP
Allan 6 – The midfielder was let down by some of his teammates. He displayed some good control when on the ball, but City’s attack was too much for him to handle. AFP
Tom Davies 5 – Now in his sixth season at the club, he made some good passes, but overall didn’t have much of an impact. He was at fault for Sergio Aguero’s first goal, as he gave the ball away to Fernandinho. Reuters
Tom Davies 5 – Now in his sixth season at the club, he made some good passes, but overall didn’t have much of an impact. He was at fault for Sergio Aguero’s first goal, as he gave the ball away to Fernandinho. Reuters
Abdoulaye Doucouré 5 – The former Watford man put in a poor display. He was guilty of a number of poor passes, and he also wasted a counterattack due to his reluctance to distribute the ball to his teammates quick enough. AFP
Abdoulaye Doucouré 5 – The former Watford man put in a poor display. He was guilty of a number of poor passes, and he also wasted a counterattack due to his reluctance to distribute the ball to his teammates quick enough. AFP
Gylfi Sigurdsson 6 – The away skipper saw his penalty saved by Ederson, while his other shots either finished wide or were easily saved. EPA
Gylfi Sigurdsson 6 – The away skipper saw his penalty saved by Ederson, while his other shots either finished wide or were easily saved. EPA
Richarlison 5 - He won a penalty which Sigurdsson saw saved. He did have a good chance after getting on the end of a counterattack, but he was tackled well by a defiant Stones. AFP
Richarlison 5 - He won a penalty which Sigurdsson saw saved. He did have a good chance after getting on the end of a counterattack, but he was tackled well by a defiant Stones. AFP
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6 – The Englishman is fighting to gain an England call up, but he didn’t have a great game here. He nearly scored but his effort rolled wide, and he didn’t have a great deal of service to work with. EPA
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6 – The Englishman is fighting to gain an England call up, but he didn’t have a great game here. He nearly scored but his effort rolled wide, and he didn’t have a great deal of service to work with. EPA
SUB: Alex Iwobi (Doucoure) 5 - The winger didn’t get many chances on the ball after being brought into the game, but he had a good run near the end. EPA
SUB: Alex Iwobi (Doucoure) 5 - The winger didn’t get many chances on the ball after being brought into the game, but he had a good run near the end. EPA
SUBS: Bernard (Sugurdsson) 6 – Everton’s small playmaker did make a slight impact as he created a number of chances, but they were met with poor end product. His highlight was probably a slick through ball to Richarlison late on. Niels Nkounkou (Richarlison) N/A - The Frenchman had very little impact as he was brought on late and his side were dominated by the champions.
SUBS: Bernard (Sugurdsson) 6 – Everton’s small playmaker did make a slight impact as he created a number of chances, but they were met with poor end product. His highlight was probably a slick through ball to Richarlison late on. Niels Nkounkou (Richarlison) N/A - The Frenchman had very little impact as he was brought on late and his side were dominated by the champions.

They are weighed down by past mistakes in the transfer market. That Ancelotti’s four main purchases were all at least qualified successes brought improvement when Everton had their best 11 available, but the fault lines in the squad were too often apparent. Also, the capacity to underperform and frustrate. His Everton veered between excellent and dismal.

His legacy will be slighter than Everton anticipated when they appointed him though Ben Godfrey and Abdoulaye Doucoure should be appreciated by Ancelotti’s successor; Allan, too, if an Ancelotti protege from his Napoli days stays.

James Rodriguez represented one of the most glamorous signings in Everton’s history and his best was brilliant but his commitment felt lacking when he departed before the end of the season, only to then fail to make Colombia’s Copa America squad. Without Ancelotti, does his long-term ally remain?

An expensively compiled mishmash of a squad presents a challenge to Ancelotti’s replacement.

There appears no ideal candidate – the case for Rafa Benitez is undermined by his Liverpool past – but even hiring someone with Ancelotti’s track record was no one-stop solution. He left 18 months into a 4.5 year-deal, leaving Everton trapped in a cycle of instability where the gulf between ambition and reality remains huge.

Virtual banks explained

What is a virtual bank?

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.

What’s the draw in Asia?

Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.

Is Hong Kong short of banks?

No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year. 

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Our commentary on Brexit
More on this story
Race card:

6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.

8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.

8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.

9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.

E-cigarette report
Plastic tipping point
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
While you're here
Our commentary on Brexit
UAE currency
On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Hurricanes 31-31 Lions

Wellington Hurricanes: 
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett

British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)

Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tomorrow 2021
More coverage from the Future Forum
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
World Mental Health Day
Tomorrow 2021
Whiile you're here
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
More from this package
Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

Transgender report
Company info

Company name: Entrupy 

Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist

Based: New York, New York

Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.  

Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius. 

Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place. 

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

War on waste
While you're here
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

Bio

Age: 25

Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah

Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering

Favourite colour: White

Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai

Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.

First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EXare%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%2018%2C%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPadmini%20Gupta%2C%20Milind%20Singh%2C%20Mandeep%20Singh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20Raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410%20million%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E28%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMS%26amp%3BAD%20Ventures%2C%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Astra%20Amco%2C%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%2C%20Fintech%20Fund%2C%20500%20Startups%2C%20Khwarizmi%20Ventures%2C%20and%20Phoenician%20Funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

On Women's Day
Comment on Coronavirus
Everton