Jeffers Loving Life In Charge

Franny Jeffers says he has “loved” his first taste of management after stepping into David Unsworth’s shoes to take charge of Everton’s Under-23 side.

- Paul McNamara

Jeffers was handed the reins after Unsworth moved up to assume the first-team helm and was immediately plunged into a whirlwind week, with Checkatrade Trophy matches at Lincoln City and Mansfield Town sandwiching a Premier League 2 trip to Swansea City.

The Blues beat their Swansea counterparts in dramatic fashion last Friday, when Shayne Lavery’s stoppage-time strike sealed a 2-1 victory in south Wales.

Everton Under-21s’ matches against wily League Two opposition proved a mission too far, however, with Dennis Adeniran’s late goal not enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat by Lincoln – and Mansfield edging Jeffers’ team 1-0 at Field Mill on Tuesday night.

“The lads have been different class for me since I came in and I have loved it,” Jeffers told Everton’s matchday programme.

“I love being out there, in control. The players have learned so much in the Lincoln and Mansfield games, and I have learned so much, too.

“It is a different ball game being out there in control. You are out there as a manager and I have loved it.”