Right man, right place, wrong time: Mike Walker at Everton

With Norwich City, Mike Walker achieved great things. He almost led them to the title and did help the Canaries into Europe, beating the mighty Bayern Munich in Germany in the process. He became a wanted man and Everton were the team that convinced him to leave.

Unfortunately it turned out to be a huge mistake for both parties.

We've already looked at AVB at Chelsea, Roy Hodgson at Chelsea and Christian Gross at Spurs over the past three days at managers who have been in the right place at the wrong time. Today it's Mike Walker's turn.

MIKE WALKER  EVERTON

JANUARY - NOVEMBER 1994

 

The CV: Mike Walker's playing career was restricted to the lower leagues. The Colowyn Bay-born goalkeeper is best remembered for spells at Colchester United and Watford. In 1970 Walker helped Watford reach the FA Cup semi-final. After retiring Walker went into management. He guided Colchester to the Third Division Play Offs in 1987. His big break though came when he succeeded Dave Stringer as Norwich City manager. 

 

The Welshman was an instant success at Carrow Road. In 1993 Walker's Canaries finished third in the Premier League. Norwich topped the table in early March before been overhauled by Manchester United. The top three finish was rewarded with European football. Norwich enjoyed a sensational run in the UEFA Cup. City beat Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium. A sublime Jeremy Goss volley sealed a historic win for the Norfolk club. Norwich became the first British side to beat the German giants on home soil. With Walker's stock at an all time high Everton came calling. 

 

The Nightmare: Walker's made a dream start to his Toffees career. His first game in charge saw a hapless Swindon Town thrashed 6-2 at Goodison. That was as good as it got for the grey-haired boss. The silver fox was powerless as Everton plunged down the table. A disastrous run saw the Merseysiders win just three of 15 Premier League games. The collapse put Everton on the brink of relegation. Their fate would be decided on the last day of the season. Only a win against Wimbledon would save the Blues' top flight status. It looked like curtains when the Dons raced into a two-nil lead. A whole generation of Evertonians had never experienced second tier football. The club was last relegated in 1951. Were the Crazy Gang about to end this proud record?

 

Somehow Everton manage to save themselves. A Graham Stuart brace sandwiched Barry Hornes'  piledriver as Goodison went wild. Walker must have thought the 3-2 win would signal better times. Those hopes were soon dashed as his side made a dreadful start to the following season. The struggling Toffees didn't win a league game until November. Rooted to the bottom of the league, the  board had no alternative. After only 10 months at the helm Walker was fired. His managerial reign is the shortest in the club's history. The  statistics don't make pretty reading. Mike Walker won just six of his 31 games as Everton boss.

 

Iconic Moment: The Wimbledon comeback. A rare highlight in a troubled reign.

 

What happened Next? In 1998 Mike Walker returned to Norwich. His second spell in charge ended when the Canaries failed to gain promotion to the Premier

League. He briefly managed Cypriot club Apoel Nicosia before drifting out of the game. Walker's son Ian also made his mark in the Premier League. The goalkeeper played for Tottenham, Leicester and England. 

 

Joe Royle succeeded Walker at Goodison. Six months later Everton had avoided relegation and won the FA Cup.

 

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