Bringing The Right Chemistry
Everton Magazine|December 2017-18

Soon after Sam Allardyce was confirmed as the new manager of Everton Football Club, his most trusted lieutenants followed him through the door at USM Finch Farm. In assistant manager Sammy Lee and first-team coach Craig Shakespeare, the Toffees boss has added two of the most highly-regarded coaches in football to his backroom team. Everton magazine sat down with the duo to discover how they will use their collective knowledge to boost the Blues

Bringing The Right Chemistry
Craig, what did you make of your first game as a member of the coaching staff here at Everton in the recent win against Huddersfield Town?

Craig Shakespeare: It couldn’t have gone any better. We are in a results business and when you look at it from the point of view of putting smiles back on people’s faces then, of course, it was great to get the three points. Performance-wise, we know we can improve but it was about getting the three points.

Any pre-match nerves?

CS: It was the first day for me so I met everyone for the first time! But I have to say I was made to feel very welcome by everyone; the staff, the players and everyone in and around the ground. You felt the buzz around the place and I had that tingle back that I’ve not had for a few weeks. That only became stronger when I was back at the training ground.

Sammy, as Craig mentions, there certainly was a buzz about Goodison Park that day.

Sammy Lee: There was and so there should be at Goodison. It is one of those grounds where the crowd can be the 12th man. Everyone knows about Goodison because it is a fantastic football stadium. It always creates a fantastic atmosphere and we need that to help us get back up the table to where this football club should be.

Could you sense a few nerves in the team, especially in that first half? 

This story is from the December 2017-18 edition of Everton Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2017-18 edition of Everton Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVERTON MAGAZINEView All
Ronald Koeman The Making of a Born Winner and the Influence of Cruyff
Everton Magazine

Ronald Koeman The Making of a Born Winner and the Influence of Cruyff

The Footballing Journey of Ronald Koeman Has Been Trophy-laden, Underpinned by a Fierce Will to Win as Is Revealed in This Exclusive Interview With Everton Magazine

time-read
9 mins  |
March 2016-17
First Impressions
Everton Magazine

First Impressions

Ronald Koeman took time out from a hectic first pre-season with the Blues to tell Everton magazine about how the squad is shaping up, the upcoming trip to Germany and how he doesn’t pay any attention to transfer speculation...

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2015-16
Bringing The Right Chemistry
Everton Magazine

Bringing The Right Chemistry

Soon after Sam Allardyce was confirmed as the new manager of Everton Football Club, his most trusted lieutenants followed him through the door at USM Finch Farm. In assistant manager Sammy Lee and first-team coach Craig Shakespeare, the Toffees boss has added two of the most highly-regarded coaches in football to his backroom team. Everton magazine sat down with the duo to discover how they will use their collective knowledge to boost the Blues

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2017-18
Academy Success Continues
Everton Magazine

Academy Success Continues

Everton’s proud list of Academy graduates expanded again recently, with several names added to the ever-growing board at USM Finch Farm.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2017-18
Changing Track
Everton Magazine

Changing Track

“To be honest, I didn’t really get much sleep after the match. It was an amazing night that I will remember for the rest of my career… it was really, really special.”

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2017-18
Tyias Browning
Everton Magazine

Tyias Browning

Tyias Browning insists he has put a rollercoaster 12 months behind him and hopes a productive loan spell with Preston North End will help him reach Everton’s first team once again.  

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2016-17
Looking Ahead
Everton Magazine

Looking Ahead

Having suffered a serious knee injury on the cusp of the new season, Muhamed Besic is showing the determination fans know him for as he fights back to full fitness.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2016-17
Hungry For Action
Everton Magazine

Hungry For Action

Gerard Deulofeu suffered a stop-start first season as a permanent Blues player, but having now fully recovered from injury and with a new manager to impress, the Spanish forward can't wait to get started

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2015-16
Neil Pointon
Everton Magazine

Neil Pointon

The championship-winning left-back reflects on signing for Howard Kendall, his development as a player under the great man's guidance and how much of an influence the Club has had on his post-Goodison career.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2015-16
First Impressions
Everton Magazine

First Impressions

Ronald Koeman sat down with Everton magazine following the first weekend of the new Premier League season to assess the Spurs point, what he expects from his new signings, tactical tweaks and the impact of some of his existing squad.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2016-17