Everton boss Sam Allardyce determined to stay for 'long term' despite struggles

Published on: 08 March 2018

Burnley came back from a goal down to beat a 10-man Everton at Turf Moor with goals from Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood. Burnley came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Turf Moor and pile pressure on their manager Sam Allardyce. Burnley came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Turf Moor and pile pressure on their manager Sam Allardyce. Steven Pienaar explains the process he went through at Borussia Dortmund before he signed, initially on loan, at Everton.

LIVERPOOL -- Sam Allardyce wants his Everton tenure to last beyond this season, despite a downturn in his team's form and supporter unrest.

Everton have lost three out of their last four fixtures and last weekend's defeat at Burnley had supporters inside Turf Moor loudly calling for Allardyce's dismissal.

Speaking at a news conference to preview Everton's game with Brighton & Hove Albion, Allardyce, who signed an 18-month contract at Goodison Park in November, said: "There's times when you have to draw in, close the doors and stay focused on what you want to try and achieve.

"That's very disappointing for everybody, myself included, that we have slipped where we have slipped to and we put ourselves into a fantastic position in the early stages of me walking through the door.

"I said I came here out of retirement because there was a long-term plan at Everton and a long-term aspect going forward that I was excited about being part of and understanding the history of Everton Football Club.

"I know all about the club demands and what you've got to try and achieve. That was an exciting prospect going forward -- rather than short-terming. I wanted a long-term appointment."

Everton manager Sam Allardyce is under fire having lost the last two Premier League games against Watford and Burnley.

Allardyce says he is having discussions with the Everton's majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, about the future, but knows that performances and results must turn around soon.

"I'm having talks with him, but obviously those talks are confidential," Allardyce said. "We're in a difficult period at the moment, yes, but we've got to try and turn that around.

"It's my responsibility to get the team to play to the level they know they can play. It's the players' responsibility on the field of play to play their best.

"I think when they play their best that we can give anybody a game. When it comes to Brighton on Saturday, it's more about them delivering a performance as well as dealing with Brighton. I think they will feel a little bit under pressure, like we all are at the moment."

In addition to the recent poor run of results and negative style of play, Everton supporters were particularly riled when last week Allardyce said the expectation at Everton was no different to that at his former clubs Newcastle United and West Ham United.

Allardyce attempted to clarify those previous comments during his news conference on Thursday by stating that Everton's "ambition" is somewhat different to Newcastle and West Ham's.

"Every club's fans have a lot of passion, but like I said at the time the history of Everton is far greater than that of Newcastle and West Ham," he said. "Every fan has great demands and when there are big crowds the demands are bigger.

"For me, Everton is completely different from Newcastle or West Ham, but it was just a comparison. It wasn't anything other than that.

"The ambition of Everton is different to Newcastle and different to West Ham, but if you don't play as well as they expect you to do they show their disapproval and that's what you have to deal with as a manager.

"You have to turn that around and get everyone behind you."

Glenn is ESPN FC's Liverpool correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter: @GlennPrice94.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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