Earlier this month Everton secured the services of Willie Kirk on an extended deal until the summer of 2023.
It was just reward for his brilliant recent work with the women’s team, including the club’s run to the Women’s FA Cup final last season.
Kirk, a former assistant boss at Manchester United, has helped turn the club into genuine contenders once again and is now looking to end the club’s wait for silverware.
Speaking after signing the new deal, Kirk also made another of his goals abundantly clear.
“The ambition of the Club is a huge factor for me,” Kirk told the Everton website. “I’m a very ambitious person. I want to achieve a lot in the game.
“We want to take the standards at Everton to a completely different level. A higher level than it’s ever been before.
“I’m desperate to bring silverware to Everton Women. And we want to qualify for the Champions League.”
Everton have not featured in the Champions League for nearly a decade and whilst Kirk is right to be targeting Europe, at this stage a place in the competition next season looks unlikely.
Everton are currently fifth in the league but the four teams above them, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City are looking to still be a cut above.
Losing 4-0 to Chelsea followed by 3-0 and 4-0 losses to Manchester City and Arsenal respectively, demonstrate that fact.
However, Everton are continuing to build and are closing the gap on that leading pack.
If they can continue to do so after another progressive season in 2020-21, then next year might be when Kirk gets his European wish.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
