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Everton legend throws hat into the ring for Goodison Park hotseat amid Martinez departure
EVERTON caretaker-boss David Unsworth says he would be honoured to take the job on a full-time basis - but is just proud to be leading them out on Sunday.
David Unsworth made more than 300 Premier League appearances in two spells with Everton
Unsworth, the club’s Under-21 manager, will take charge for the Premier League home match against Norwich after Roberto Martinez was sacked on Thursday.
The former Everton centre-back, who graduated from the youth academy and had two spells as a first-team regular between 1992 and 1994, said the club had lost a “good man” with Martinez’s departure.
He also revealed that Martinez – as he was being sacked – had urged chairman Bill Kenwright to put Unsworth in temporary charge.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard will be given a chance to make his final appearance for Everton before joining Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer this summer.
Unsworth hopes that the veteran United States international and his team-mates will give the club’s supporters something to smile about after a tough season that has been soured by repeated protests against Martinez.
He said: “I think there’ll be a change of mood on Sunday. It’s not been an easy place to play recently. I think Evertonians will respect Tim playing and I’m sure they’ll get behind us. We owe them a performance and a win.”