Everton's managerial situation is becoming increasingly precarious as the team struggles to find form under Sean Dyche, with his future at the club now under serious scrutiny following the club's takeover by The Friedkin Group. After consecutive losses to Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, the Toffees have yet to register any points this year and remain perilously close to the relegation zone. Following these poor performances, speculation is rife about who could potentially replace Dyche should the situation not improve.
The new owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the club's current form and have begun to explore alternatives as they assess Dyche's future. "Everton's results need to improve over the coming weeks," said Everton sports reporter Alan Myers, highlighting the urgency of the situation. With the club's performance being directly connected to its Premier League survival, Dyche's position is now deemed to be increasingly perilous.
One name prominently on the horizon for Everton is Paulo Fonseca, who was recently sacked from his position at AC Milan after just half the season. The Portuguese manager has amassed considerable experience, having previously managed clubs like Lille and AS Roma, making him a strong candidate for the Merseyside outfit. According to Sky Sports, Fonseca's candidacy has been discussed amid growing concerns about Dyche, and he may be viewed as a practical option for the Toffees moving forward.
Alan Irwin from Sky Sports added, “We certainly know Graham Potter was one candidate The Friedkin Group spoke to, but with his recent appointment at West Ham United, they need to look at other options.” This leaves Fonseca as one of the frontrunners, especially as he is currently available and does not come with the complications of existing contracts.
Another former Everton manager potentially returning to Goodison Park is David Moyes, who enjoyed considerable success during his initial tenure from 2002 to 2013. Moyes secured the highest finish for Everton when he led them to fourth place, and according to sources, he would be open to returning to the club, making him another strong candidate for the managerial position. Given Moyes's familiarity with the club and its fanbase, his return might appeal to those seeking stability.
Speculation has also circulated around the possibility of hiring veteran manager José Mourinho, who is currently engaged with Fenerbahçe. Mourinho has expressed interest in managing again within the Premier League, but his tumultuous past with the Friedkin owners complicates things. His comments following his sacking at Roma, where he labeled the president as someone "who knows little about football," cast doubt on his suitability due to past conflicts.
A less conventional choice could be Gareth Southgate, who after his successful run leading England would be more of a gamble due to his long absence from club management. Although Southgate is not actively seeking to jump back to club football, he has been highlighted as someone Everton would look at if Dyche were removed.
Other potential candidates under consideration include Massimiliano Allegri, currently rumored to be evaluating options after parting ways with Juventus. Despite having no previous experience managing outside Italy, his impressive record – having won Serie A multiple times – could intrigue the Friedkin Group as they look for notable names to lead Everton.
Lastly, Brentford's Thomas Frank and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola have also been discussed as candidates for the job. Frank has gained respect for his work with Brentford and his name has been drawn up as part of the list of potential managerial options. Meanwhile, Iraola, fresh off his recent victory against Dyche's side, is contracted and available for exploration.
With The Friedkin Group now evaluating the future managerial direction of the club, the next few matches are pivotal for Dyche. The question remains: who will stand at the helm of Everton as they navigate this troubled season? With multiple notable names linked to the position, the club could be on the cusp of transformational change.