Everton Legend Gary Stevens Criticizes Club’s Plans to Appoint Alan Shearer as Football Director
Everton legend Gary Stevens has spoken out strongly against the club’s reported ambitions to hire Alan Shearer as their new Director of Football, voicing his concerns about the direction the Toffees are heading. The former right-back, who was part of the Everton side that won the First Division title in the mid-1980s, has questioned whether Shearer, a Premier League great but inexperienced in football administration, is the right person to lead the club’s football operations.
The potential appointment of Shearer, who has enjoyed a legendary career as a player with Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, as well as a prominent media role as a pundit, has sparked a significant debate among Everton supporters and pundits. While many fans recognize Shearer’s pedigree as a player, concerns about his lack of experience in football management have been raised — concerns Stevens has been quick to echo.
### Stevens’ Criticism of Shearer’s Lack of Experience
In a candid interview, Stevens, who made over 200 appearances for Everton during one of the club’s most successful periods, didn’t hold back in criticizing the potential decision to hire Shearer. Stevens expressed doubt that Shearer, despite his illustrious playing career, has the necessary credentials to lead Everton’s footballing strategy during a critical time for the club.
“Look, I’ve got massive respect for Alan Shearer as a player. He was one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen. But managing a football club, let alone being a Director of Football, is a completely different ball game,” Stevens said. “What experience does Alan have in running the operations of a football club? It’s not just about the ability to score goals or offer punditry opinions — it’s about navigating player recruitment, working with a manager, understanding scouting systems, and making tough decisions about the squad and the future of the club.”
Stevens’ concerns come at a time when Everton are desperately seeking stability after a turbulent few seasons both on and off the pitch. With ongoing financial difficulties, the club’s move to a new stadium on the horizon, and their struggle to maintain consistent Premier League form, appointing the right Director of Football is seen as crucial to their rebuilding process.
### Everton’s Current Situation
Everton’s problems have been mounting in recent years, with managerial changes, relegation scares, and issues behind the scenes impacting the club’s fortunes. Current Director of Football Kevin Thelwell is reportedly on the verge of being dismissed following a series of unsuccessful transfer windows and a lack of progress in developing the club’s long-term strategy. With the club looking to bring in a high-profile replacement, Shearer’s name has emerged as a serious candidate.
However, Stevens questioned whether the move to hire a high-profile name like Shearer was a result of footballing rationale or simply a public relations exercise to appease the fans.
“Everton need someone who knows how to rebuild a football club and has a proven track record of success in the role. Just because Shearer is a big name doesn’t mean he’s the right man for the job. We’ve already seen this with other clubs hiring big names without the proper experience and how badly that can turn out,” Stevens warned.
### The Challenges Facing a New Director of Football
Stevens also emphasized the daunting challenges facing whoever takes on the Director of Football role at Everton. From navigating the club’s financial situation to ensuring the squad is competitive enough to avoid relegation battles, the incoming director will need to make strategic, calculated decisions in the transfer market and beyond. This is where Stevens believes Shearer’s lack of experience could hurt Everton’s progress.
“Everton are in a tough spot right now, and we need a Director of Football who knows what it takes to get out of it. This is not a time for experiments or taking risks on people who haven’t proven themselves in football management. It’s about having someone who can bring in the right players, work with the manager, and ensure the club is heading in the right direction.”
### A Plea for Stability
Stevens’ passionate comments reflect a growing concern among former players and fans alike about the future of the club. Many believe Everton needs to focus on long-term stability rather than high-profile appointments that may not deliver results. The club’s reliance on short-term fixes has led to a revolving door of managers and executives, with little to show in terms of improvement.
“Everton is a special club, and it needs to be in the hands of people who understand what it means to build something sustainable. We can’t afford to keep making mistakes. The fans deserve better, and the club deserves better,” Stevens concluded.
As the debate over Alan Shearer’s potential appointment rages on, it is clear that whoever takes on the role of Director of Football will have a monumental task ahead of them. Whether or not Shearer is the right fit remains to be seen, but Gary Stevens’ impassioned plea for caution suggests that many within the Everton community believe the club needs more than just a famous name to guide them through these turbulent times.
