Neville Southall says Gianfranco Zola is the man to lead Everton into the Champions League next season according to TalkSport
The Toffees are on the hunt for a new manager following David Moyes’ decision to leave the club and replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
And the ex-Wales goalkeeper has hit out at the club’s handling of the situation, insisting they should have been more prepared for the Scotsman’s exit.
But he feels that Watford’s Italian supremo is right man to take Everton into the top four, with a few key signings.
He told the Weekend Sports Breakfast: “I know Phil Neville has got a shout [of getting the Everton job], Duncan Ferguson has got a massive shout maybe alongside an older fellow and Roberto Martinez obviously, but I’d like to see Gianfranco Zola [in charge].
“He’s got the respect of every fan you could ever meet. He’s got the respect of all the players and the clubs and he plays attractive football.
“He’s also proved it on limited resources at Watford and he can get a lot out of the team.
“We probably need four to five players, maximum, to improve what we’ve already got and we can finish in the top four. Most of the hard work has been done over the last ten years. It’s now a question of finishing it off.
“If he’s not going to get the budget that we think he’s going to get then maybe he could pick up some people from Italy who can do a job, like Michael Laudrup has done with the Spanish lads [at Swansea]. Maybe Zola can do it with them.”
Southall did however aim some fury towards the club’s board for leaving them in a tricky situation following Moyes’ exit.
“You’ve got to look at why there isn’t somebody more or less in place already,” he moaned. “Everton have known for the last season that there was a chance he’d be going.
“Surely if you were sensible you’d be looking around at every candidate you could think of and have a shortlist ready.
“You could pick three or four names out of a hat, interview them next week, and have a manager in place before the end of the season.”