He called Manchester City an affair, but Everton was his marriage
In short: Few figures in football history have navigated the highs of European glory and the lows of relegation with such intensity. Howard Kendall, the architect of Everton's golden era, remains the last English manager to win a major UEFA competition, leaving a legacy of tactical brilliance and fierce loyalty.
Howard Kendall’s career was defined by a profound, often turbulent connection to Everton. While he achieved legendary status during his first managerial spell in the 1980s—winning two First Division titles (1984–8me85 and 1986–87), an FA Cup, and the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup—his relationship with the club was far from simple. He returned to Goodison Park for a second stint in 1990, famously justifying his departure from a strong Manchester City side by stating that City was merely an affair, whereas Everton was his marriage. However, this second spell ended in resignation in 1993 following disputes with the board.
As a player, Kendall was a cornerstone of the famous 'Holy Trinity' midfield at Everton alongside Alan Ball and Colin Harvey. His playing days were marked by early precocity; at just 17 years and 345 days old, he became the youngest player to appear in a Wembley final during the 1964 FA Cup, a feat achieved after a teammate's suspension for an unauthorized trip to Scotland. His ability to transform squads was evident in his recruitment, bringing in players like Andy Gray, whose £250,000 signing in 1983 helped propel Everton from the brink of relegation to league champions.
Beyond the trophies, Kendall's influence spanned the globe, from managing Athletic Bilbao in Spain to stints in Greece with Xanthi and Ethnikos Piraeus. Despite facing the challenges of the English ban on European competitions, which forced stars like Gary Lineker to move abroad, Kendall’s impact was permanent. Following his 2005 entry into the English Football Hall of Fame, he is celebrated as an 'Everton Giant' who excelled at restructuring squads, despite facing relegation battles during his concluding managerial stints.
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