Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has opened up on his involvement in the process of appointing Frank Lampard and praised Farhad Moshiri for his improved approach to running the club.
Having made 278 appearances for the Blues as a player, scoring 68 goals, Cahill returned to Goodison Park at the turn of the year to help with the club’s search for a new manager.
The Blues sacked Rafa Benitez following a dismal run of form, and Cahill was invited by owner Moshiri to help the club in their search for a new boss. The former midfielder joined Moshiri, Bill Kenwright, Graeme Sharp and Denise Barrett-Baxendale in eventually selecting Lampard as the man to lead the Blues forward.
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The Everton owner spoke glowingly about the 42-year-old in an interview with the club back in February, with the ECHO understanding the club’s majority shareholder was impressed with his knowledge of the game. And Cahill admits he would like to return to the club in an executive role.
“Farhad Moshiri asked me to be part of the process in picking Frank and that [a role at Everton] is a work in progress. I’m a work in progress,” he told SportsMail.
“My Everton connection will always be there. How that is going forward is down to the owners to talk about. For me, to be a strong leader, you have to evolve.
“If I want to go to Everton one day, I’m going to go with my eyes wide open. I’m only 42. When an opportunity comes, I need to be ready.”
Everton endured a torrid 2021/22 campaign in which they narrowly avoided relegation by just four points. The season started with the controversial appointment of former Liverpool manager Benitez who was sacked after just 200 days in charge having won just five league matches.
The Blues have spent more than half-a-billion pounds since Moshiri took over in 2016, and many in the game have been quick to criticise the 67-year-old for the way he has run the Goodison club.
In an unusual step for an owner, Moshiri admitted that the club's recruitment has been wide of the mark during an open letter to fans in the summer. The Everton chief also apologised to fans for the 'fear and frustration' of their relegation-threatened season.
And Cahill has now praised Moshiri for his change of approach since the pair started talking, and has hailed the transfer work done by Lampard and Kevin Thelwell during the summer, claiming it reminds him of what David Moyes tried to achieve during his time in charge of the club.
He said: “This season is massive for Frank, it will be the telling of him. Kevin Thelwell [sporting director] also has a very big job.
“A club like Everton, it needs structuring and football people put in the right positions, from grassroots upwards. The manager is a reflection of trying to finish that on the pitch.
“Key football decisions need to have a vision and the club needs an identity. You build your team around that.
“These are the conversations I have - the signings represent the club, who represent the badge, who represent the future. The owner has really improved with his approach since I’ve been talking with him.
“David Moyes signed players on a budget who fitted the club’s identity. They were players he trusted who were durable to last a season.
“They could handle the pressure of being at Everton. Look at how he did it, building from the back. I played in midfield with Lee Carsley and Thomas Gravesen. Tough characters, tough players. Only then did he sprinkle a bit of Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar, more luxury.
“The difference now, for Frank, is that he has more money and he knows he has to produce. He is an academic himself. He is dedicated and passionate.
“When you look for characters, it’s not just tactical and technical attributes, but also their connection with the fans. Frank has that. I have a lot of time for him.”
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