Peter Reid and Fabio Capello to manage Everton-Roma legends
The game takes place in August
Everton Giant Peter Reid and Italian legend Fabio Capello have been confirmed as the managers of Everton and Roma for the upcoming Legends game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes' Blues will take on their Serie A counterparts Roma on Saturday 9 August in their final Premier League warm-up fixture (kick-off 3pm BST), before the Legends dust off their boots to mark the opening of the 52,769-capacity stadium (kick-off 5.15pm BST).
On a landmark day of celebration at the Club's new waterfront home, a team of Everton stars from yesteryear will be led by Reid, who, as a player, lifted two league titles, the FA Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup and three Charity Shields during a glorious spell at Goodison Park in the mid-1980s.
In the opposite dugout, iconic Italian Capello will take charge of a Roma side that will include French legend Vincent Candela.
Capello had successful spells as a player for Roma, Juventus and AC Milan before managing a catalogue of top clubs, including AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus. He was also England national team boss between 2007 and 2012.
"I'm delighted," a beaming Reid told evertonfc.com. "The day will be a brilliant curtain-raiser. Listen, the Grand Old Lady has always been our heart but when you go inside and look at Hill Dickinson Stadium, it's just magnificent. I can't wait for 50-odd thousand Evertonians to be in there because we know what a unique atmosphere they create. It'll be something to behold.
"It's an honour to be asked to manage the Everton team – and it'll be brilliant to go up against Fabio Capello, someone who I've met a couple of times. When I was a manager, I went on courses and I heard him speak. His record is second to none.
"It'll be good to catch up again... as long as we win! We've got to win it – I'm all about winning!"
Phil Jagielka is set to be skipper of the Toffees' side, with more names due to be confirmed in the coming days and weeks for what promises to be a compelling Legends clash between two star-studded line-ups.