Former Everton winger Kevin Mirallas has revealed he wanted to return to Standard Liège in 2019.
The 36-year-old ended his playing career in August 2023. Eendracht Aalst then appointed him as their sporting director. He’s left the lower division Belgian side and is keen to take up a role at Standard Liège.
Mirallas has been speaking to Sudinfo, where he revealed he had an opportunity to return to Standard Liège, before joining Royal Antwerp in 2019. The deal didn’t take place mainly because of Everton, and his quotes are relayed by Voetbal Nieuws.
The Belgian spent five years at Standard Liège’s youth system, but didn’t make a debut for their first team. The former attacker later spent seven years at the Merseyside club, after joining them from Olympiacos in 2012.
He spent his last two years at Everton out on loan, before leaving them permanently for Royal Antwerp. Prior to that, he had held talks with Bruno Venanzi, who was then the president at Standard Liège.
Mirallas now remains hopeful of securing a role off the pitch at Standard Liège.
“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.
