Bill Kenwright and Farhad Moshiri know they can’t afford to get Everton’s next managerial appointment wrong. Let’s look at who could be the club’s new manager.
The Carlo Ancelotti era at Tottenham is over.
It feels like a premature ending, before Everton really got to see how far having one of the best managers in the game’s modern history could take them.
Ancelotti would have been a Goodison Park legend if he’d ended the wait for silverware.
Instead, he leaves with Toffees fans wondering what might have been but who will be the next Everton manager? Let’s take a look at some of the contenders in the latest race for the Everton dugout.
Nuno Espirito Santo
The Athletic report that Everton face competition from Crystal Palace for Nuno, who has just left Wolves.
Moshiri worked with Jorge Mendes to bring James Rodriguez to Everton, and could use that relationship again to snare Nuno.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
The Portuguese plays a cautious, counter-attacking style similar to the one Ancelotti preferred last season and worked wonders with Wolves.
Duncan Ferguson
Ferguson took interim charge between the reigns of Marco Silva and Ancelotti and got Goodison rocking.
He oversaw a victory over Chelsea and a draw at Old Trafford. His passion for the club is not in doubt and working under Ancelotti likely enhanced his credentials in the interim.
Ferguson is reportedly in contention and would be a popular appointment, but in terms of experience, he lags behind plenty of other candidates.
Frank Lampard
Lampard was the man in the opposing dugout when Ferguson got that memorable 3-1 win in December 2019.
The Mirror report he’s on Everton’s radar, having been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea.
There were concerns over his ability to build a balance between defence and attack at Stamford Bridge. Is he the man to take Everton to the next level? It would be a gamble.
David Moyes
The Evening Standard report that West Ham expect Moyes to dismiss any potential advances from his old club.
You can understand why. Moyes guided West Ham into the Europa League after a stunning season and is in contention for manager of the year.
But what are West Ham’s owners like to work for? Is the money going to be there to go again next season?
When Moyes was at Everton, the feeling prevailed that all he needed was a bit of extra money and he could have built something great.
Everton have the money now and a return would be fasincating.
Ralf Rangnick
Rangnick is widely credited with helping to progress the high-tempo pressing game many elite clubs use now.
That style would certainly thrill the Everton faithful. They have had some good times with Roberto Martinez’s patient passing and Ancelotti’s counter-punching but they want to see their team running hard on the front foot.
He would be an intriguing appointment, a coach with a clear identity and plenty of experience. The Telegraph report he’s under consideration.
Roberto Martinez
Speaking of Martinez, the Athletic claim he’s in the frame and that Kenwright remains a huge admirer.
Martinez is currently preparing for Euro 2020 with Belgium, meaning any potential move would likely have to wait.
That could delay Everton’s transfer planning, but then again, how much business is going to get done at a time when the Euros and Copa America are taking place?
Rafa Benitez
The same report claims former Liverpool boss Benitez is also in the frame.
Would the Goodison faithful be able to look beyond his Anfield connections?
He is a good manager, but prefers a patient, methodical approach. That didn’t stop him being adored by Newcastle fans, mind you.
Benitez’s former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is also mentioned but looks incredibly unlikely to happen, given he wants to be Reds boss one day and moving to Everton would basically scupper that.
Eddie Howe
Former Bournemouth boss Howe was a boyhood Everton fan, which would give him an instant connection with the supporters.
He did a sensational job at Bournemouth before running out of steam somewhat, playing an attractive style of football and punching above his side’s weight.
Question marks persist over his work in the transfer market, but perhaps Marcel Brands could help with that.
He’s been out of the game since enduring relegation with the Cherries in July 2020 and the Times claim he’s in the frame.
Sean Dyche
The Mirror also claim that Dyche is on Everton’s shortlist.
He’s long been talked about as a manager who deserves an opportunity higher up the league, having worked magic at Burnley on a shoestring for years.
Everton could be perfect. His principles are the one Moyes’ team was built on – hard work, discipline and togetherness.
His name isn’t the most fashionable on the list but that shouldn’t come into the discussion.
Others
The Athletic claim Erik ten Hag is also in the frame, but he just extended his Ajax deal amid interest from Tottenham.
The Mirror mention Vitor Pereira, who was in the frame to replace Silva before Ancelotti became available.
He has been out of work since leaving Shanghai SIPG in 2020, meaning he could be appointed quickly.
Antonio Conte is out of work after leaving Inter, and would be the most similar appointment to Ancelotti in terms of going after a huge name right at the top of the game.
Christophe Galtier just left Lille after winning Ligue 1 and is worth a look for any club looking to upset the odds in seasons ahead.