Howard Kendall

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kendall returned to Everton as player-manager in May 1981, hoping to restore the club to its former glory. He played only four games before retiring as a player in December 1981. He made seven signings, including goalkeeper Neville Southall from Bury, who would spend 17 years at the club. Over the next two seasons, he signed right winger Trevor Steven and midfielder Peter Reid. Everton finished 8th in his first season and 7th the next, but began the 1983–84 season poorly, winning just 6 of their first 21 league games. Kendall was reportedly on the verge of being sacked, but the £250,000 signing of Wolves striker Andy Gray in November turned the season. Everton reached the League Cup final (losing to Liverpool in a replay) and won the FA Cup (beating Watford 2–0). In 1984–85, Everton won the league title, finishing 13 points clear of runners-up Liverpool, and the European Cup-Winners' Cup, defeating Austrian side Rapid Vienna. They also reached the FA Cup final that season. In 1985–86, Everton were runners-up in both the league and FA Cup to Liverpool. In 1986–87, they won the league again, nine points clear of Liverpool, plus a third consecutive Charity Shield. Kendall left in June 1987, frustrated by the ban from Europe of English clubs.

In Their Own Story

The 1984–85 season was the pinnacle. Kendall built an almost entirely new team, bringing in younger players like Peter Reid and Trevor Steven from smaller clubs, giving them the chance to prove themselves at the highest level. He also brought in established star Andy Gray, whose goals transformed a struggling side into FA Cup winners, then league champions and European Cup Winners' Cup winners. Everton won the league title, finishing 13 points clear of runners-up Liverpool. They defeated Austrian side Rapid Vienna to win the European Cup-Winners' Cup. They also reached the FA Cup final. The following season, Kendall sold Gray to Aston Villa and brought in Gary Lineker, who scored 38 goals in the 1985–86 season, though Everton narrowly failed to win major trophies, surrendering the title to Liverpool on the final weekend and losing 3–1 in an all-Merseyside FA Cup final. Kendall left in June 1987, frustrated by the ban on English clubs in European competitions, which meant Everton twice missed out on competing in the European Cup.

Reader's Guide

The Howard Kendall era at Everton is defined by two distinct phases: his playing career as part of "The Holy Trinity" and his managerial reign. As a player, Kendall was a complete and combative midfielder, a good passer who could tackle, defend, and attack. Fellow Everton teammate Joe Royle described him as a fair player who was in the right place at the right time. He won the First Division title in 1969–70 and the 1970 Charity Shield, scoring the winning goal. As manager, his first spell from 1981 to 1987 was the most successful period in the club's modern history. He won two Football League titles (1984–85 and 1986–87), the FA Cup (1983–84), three Charity Shields, and the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup. He also reached two further FA Cup finals and a League Cup final. Kendall remains the last English manager to win a UEFA competition with an English club. He returned to Everton for a third spell as manager in June 1997 but left by mutual consent a year later, having only avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

Did You Know?

• Kendall was the youngest player to appear in a Wembley final at 17 years 345 days, playing in the 1964 FA Cup Final for Preston North End.
• As a player, Kendall scored the winning goal in the 1970 Charity Shield for Everton.
• Kendall signed Neville Southall from Bury for Everton; Southall went on to spend 17 years at the club.
• Kendall remains the last English manager to win a UEFA competition with an English club, winning the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup with Everton.
• Kendall was a member of the League Managers Association's 'Hall of Fame', the English Football Hall of Fame, and is listed as an 'Everton Giant.'