BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Kevin Mirallas of Everton celebrates scoring his team's opening goal during the Capital One Cup second round match between Barnsley and Everton at Oakwell Stadium on August 26, 2015 in Barnsley, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Kevin Mirallas, a former winger for Everton, disclosed his desire to rejoin Standard Liège in 2019.
The 36-year-old concluded his playing career in August 2023. He was later appointed sporting director of Eendracht Aalst. He is eager to start working at Standard Liège after leaving the Belgian team in the lower level.
In an interview with Sudinfo, Mirallas disclosed that he was given the chance to rejoin Standard Liège before to his 2019 transfer to Royal Antwerp. Everton was the key reason the deal fell through, and Voetbal Nieuws relays his words.
The Belgian did not make his first-team debut during his five years in Standard Liège’s junior system. After leaving Olympiacos in 2012 to join the Merseyside club, the former attacker stayed for seven years.
Before officially leaving Everton for Royal Antwerp, he played his final two years there on loan. He had already conferred with Standard Liège’s president at the time, Bruno Venanzi.
Mirallas is still optimistic about getting a job at Standard Liège off the field.
“I had contact with Bruno Venanzi and there was a possibility to return. It was clearly not a question of money. I tried, but things happened, especially because of the managers,” he said.
“It was a standard choice. Too much had happened for me to go to Standard. Everton didn’t make things easy either. I will regret it forever.
“If I can ever work for this club, I’ll be very happy. If I can come back… Imagine working with my friend Pocognoli at Standard. I’ll sign straight away!”
Mirallas managed 38 goals and 31 assists from 186 games for the Premier League side.
