Morecambe's Jim Bentley wants to manage Everton

The lifelong Everton supporter is the longest-serving manager in English football’ top four divisions.

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley after the final whistle of the Sky Bet League Two match between Newport County and Morcambe at Rodney Parade on January 23, 2018 in Newport, Wales.

The Morcambe boss Jim Bentley has ambitions to manage Everton.

Bentley is the longest serving-gaffer in English football’s top four divisions, having taken the Globe Arena reins in May 2011.

But despite having only ever managed at League Two level the 42-year-old is, by his own admission, aiming for the top.

“I want to manage Everton,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports. “It’s the club I love and I don’t know why you can’t aim for the top.

“Then obviously somewhere along the line if you could manage England it would be fantastic. It’s not going to happen to many people but if I can’t have dreams or ambitions then I may as well not be in the job.”

Born and raised in Liverpool, it was at Manchester City that Bentley began his playing career, before he joined Morecambe via Telford United.

The former centre-back spent nine years playing for the Shrimps before his appointment as manager, and signed off with a testimonial against Everton in the summer of 2012.

A flag depicting Morecambe manager Jim Bentley during the Capital One Cup First Round match between Morecambe and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Globe Arena on August 06, 2013 in Morecambe,...

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo afterwards, Bentley revealed: “If I wasn’t here doing my job at Morecambe I’d have been behind the goal with them (the Everton fans).”

The Toffees last looked down the leagues for a manager in 2002, when David Moyes was lured to Goodison Park from Preston North End.

Despair for David Moyes manager of Everton as his team go close during the Barclays Premiership match between West Ham United and Everton at Upton Park on March 4, 2006 in London, England.