Steve Round to Everton?

[1878]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=495273&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow

 

England coach Round targeted by Everton to replace Irvine

 

England coach Steve Round is believed to be high on Everton's list as a replacement for assistant manager Alan Irvine, who today took over at Preston.

 

Round worked as England manager Steve McClaren's number two at Middlesbrough and is currently on the coaching staff preparing for tomorrow's Euro 2008 qualifying tie against Croatia at Wembley.

 

But it is believed Everton owner and chairman Bill Kenwright has sounded out captain Phil Neville, also currently on England duty, about Round.

 

Round stayed on at Middlesbrough when McClaren took over the England job but was axed midway through last season when new boss Gareth Southgate had a reshuffle of the backroom team at the Riverside.

 

Since then, Round has continued to work with England and joined the coaching staff at Newcastle under new boss Sam Allardyce earlier this season.

 

It appears he could be the number one target to become Everton boss David Moyes' assistant - although another candidate is likely to be Brian Kidd, currently working with Bryan Robson at Sheffield United.

 

Interestingly, Neville would have good knowledge of Kidd as well - having been part of the young brigade of stars the former Blackburn boss helped develop at Manchester United.

 

Round started his coaching career alongside Jim Smith at Derby, after a knee injury forced his premature retirement.

 

Irvine quit Everton today and has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale.

 

The Merseysiders last night gave Preston permission to talk to their assistant manager, and Moyes instantly started the search for a new number two.

 

Scotsman Irvine, 49, has played a key role for Everton - and Moyes will want a highly experienced replacement quickly, with the UEFA Cup and potential European qualification place from the Barclays Premier League the club's targets this term.

 

Irvine was Moyes' number two for five-and-a-half years but made no secret of his desire to move into management - and now he will take over Moyes' former club.

 

He has inherited a Preston team in a relegation fight, 21st in the Coca-Cola Championship and only clear of the drop zone on goal difference.

 

The poor start to the season saw Paul Simpson leave last week, following a 3-0 defeat to Hull.

 

North End chairman Derek Shaw has long been aware of Irvine's growing reputation as a coach and wanted a new manager installed during the international break in time for Saturday's home match against Charlton.

 

Irvine's coaching career started at Blackburn, where he ran their academy.

 

The former Everton player then held a similar post at Newcastle, before Moyes appointed him at the end of the 2001-02 season.

 

Is he any good then?

[NSG]

Can't see him wanting to leave this soon after joining.

[Dave]

Dogdirt.

[geordie_b]

Well they took Irvine from us so it could happen. Straight swap for Arteta i reckon.

[1878]

Can't see him wanting to leave this soon after joining.

 

That's what I thought. Unless he's good mates with Moyes or will be given more responsibility/better wages here.

[Jamie]

He gets wet arsed off Allardyce so i can't see him wanting to leave

[Martin Lol]

Can't see him wanting to leave this soon after joining.

 

Currently a first team coach with Newcastle with an opportunity to be Assistant Manager at Everton?  Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see him move on, especially as the only reason he joined Newcastle was because Southgate bounced him out of Boro.

[Guest Ridzuan]

I really hope that that is not true.I think Steve is a fantastic right hand man and it would be a huge loss if he decides to move to Everton.Furthermore,he has recently join us so I doubt that he really is looking for the move.

[ATB]

Isen´t he under a contract or something? So why would we let him go. If he did I would hate Everton even more.