Duncan Ferguson is set to take charge of Everton when Arsenal visit this weekend. It could be the last occasion both sides have temporary bosses in charge, with Carlo Ancelotti set to be appointed and Mikel Arteta confirmed as the new man in charge at The Emirates. It highlights the vast contrast between the fortunes of the teams without permanent managers at the helm.
Ferguson has been an absolute revelation while in charge of his beloved Everton. The former striker has rapidly changed the side from being wide open at the back to defensively solid and challenging to break down. In spite of facing Chelsea, Manchester United and Leicester City, Everton have conceded just four goals during his brief tenure, while during Marco Silva’s last game, against Liverpool, the Toffees conceded four goals in the first half.
The temporary Everton boss has been so successful by taking the team back to basics with a deep-lying four, four, two formation and utilising their pace in wide areas on the counterattack. Everton now appear much more stable than a couple of weeks ago, and there is a real feel-good factor at the club on the eve of Ancelotti’s appointment.
Meanwhile, Arsenal invincible Freddie Ljungberg has toiled during his time in charge of the Gunners as they have slipped further down the Premier League table. Like Ferguson, he has only overseen one victory, but the calibre of Arsenal’s opponents has been significantly weaker. Furthermore, during that win, West Ham were the better side for 80 minutes, and it took a spell of three goals in ten minutes to mask a dour performance.
The Swede has also complained of having no coaching staff in place during his five games in charge, as Per Mertesacker was drafted in from the Arsenal Academy, but even he has only been in that job for a season. While on the pitch nothing has really changed, their latest performance against Manchester City flattered the Gunners despite losing 3-0. Last weekend’s opponents have also complained that at boardroom level no formal approach had been made for Arteta despite him having met with the London club executives.
Arsenal come out of the situation looking like a poorly run club who lack planning. Despite Everton lacking clarity or an aligned vision at the top either when the two clubs meet at the weekend, it will highlight the stark contrast in each caretaker bosses reign.
