Everton made a controversial move to bring in Sammy Lee last week.
Sam Allardyce and Sammy Lee
Everton’s new assistant manager Sammy Lee has told the club’s official website that it was an easy decision for him to join Sam Allardyce at Goodison Park.
The Toffees brought in Allardyce as their new manager last week, finally replacing Ronald Koeman more than a month after sacking the Dutchman following a dismal start to the season.
Given that assistant manager Erwin Koeman also left the club, Allardyce has been given the chance to bring in his own staff, reuniting with two former Premier League managers.
Sammy Lee worked with Allardyce at Bolton, England and Crystal Palace, whilst former England coach and Leicester City boss Craig Shakespeare has also reunited with Allardyce at Goodison Park.
The appointment of Lee wasn’t met well by Everton fans, given his lengthy affiliation with city rivals Liverpool, having spent 11 years at the club as a player and a further 14 as a coach.
Few Everton supporters were keen on Lee’s arrival at Goodison Park, but he began to win over fans during the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon with his work from the dugout.
Now, Lee has taken another step forwards the good books of Everton fans by telling the club’s official website that whilst he has ties to Liverpool as a club, he is honoured to be working for Everton and simply has an affiliation with the city of Liverpool as a whole.
Sammy Lee (L) and Sam Allardyce
Lee added that it was an easy decision to join the Toffees, and is excited about the big challenge ahead, but also the plans for the future of the club as he and Allardyce attempt to get Everton back on track.
“Yes, it was (an easy decision to join Everton),” said Lee. “This is a fantastic football club and people know my history, people know my affiliation to Liverpool but I’m also affiliated to Liverpool as a city and I think for me to be given the opportunity to work here at Everton, it’s an honour and a pleasure.”
“It’s a global football club and nobody needs to be educated [on that] wherever they are. People know about Everton Football Club, people know about the history here, people know about the quality here, and you just have to walk around the building to see the plans they have put in here to make sure the future is bright going forward. It’s a big challenge, it’s certainly one I’m looking forward to and I’ll be doing my utmost to get the best out of this football club,” he added.
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