Despite Everton's uninspiring record under Sean Dyche, the almost immediate decision by new owners Friedkin Group to sack the former Watford and Burnley boss came as a surprise.
Less than three weeks after completing their takeover of the club – and 20 days after Dyche described chief executive Mark Watts as having his “full support” – the Toffees are searching for a new manager to lead them to their new 52,888-seater stadium in Bramley. Moore Doc next season
Jose Mourinho is the most high-profile potential target, while the likes of David Moyes and Lee Carsley have a strong history at the club.
101GreatGoals.com takes a look at some of the candidates to succeed Daichi after his two-year stay ends.
2 – In Sean Dyche's last 10 matches for Everton, the only player to score more than once for the team is Craig Dawson, who scored two own goals for Wolves in December. prattle. pic.twitter.com/SXOlR6k9Gi
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 9, 2025
Jose Mourinho
While Mourinho's prospects are as short as his temper sometimes proves, the three-time Premier League manager of the season and two-time Champions League winning coach It seems unlikely that the Turkish giant will leave Fenerbahce.
In addition to his stated lack of appetite for a relegation battle, Mourinho's relationship with Friedkin's group was in tatters after he was sacked as head coach of their Italian club, Roma, in January 2023.
The 61-year-old responded in a scathing manner by claiming that the organisation's owner, Dan Friedkin, “doesn't understand football”.
Mourinho is one of the most successful managers in the history of English football, having won every major domestic trophy at least once with Chelsea, as well as the UEFA Cup and Europa League with Manchester United. Will his ego allow him to reconcile with the Friedkins and just survive? 
David Moyes
Moyes made his name during 11 years at Everton, leading them to eight top-seven finishes – including a fourth-place finish in the 2004/05 season – along with four European appearances and an FA Cup final in the 2008/09 season.
The Scot's stock was such that he briefly succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in an ill-fated spell with Manchester United in 2013/14, eventually rebuilding his reputation over two spells with West Ham between 2017 and 2024.
The 61-year-old won the Hammers' first European title since 1965 with the 2023/24 Conference League, and his departure at the end of last season had more to do with his side's perceived style of play than a ninth-placed finish.
After being awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year's Honors last week, Moyes said he was open to returning to football But he does not “want to be at the bottom of the fight against relegation.” He has reportedly already discussed replacing Daichi.
David Moyes has had discussions with Friedkin's group and could return to Everton as early as this weekend 🔵 pic.twitter.com/YIw6YGGYRO
– Sky Sports News (SkySportsNews) January 9, 2025
Russell Martin
If Everton want to be the opposite of Mourinho and Moyes' reputation for caution, Martin's expansive passing style – which Pep Guardiola has praised greatly this season – could be attractive.
The 39-year-old honed his game at MK Dons and Swansea City, and his best finish came with Southampton last season, when his first season ended with them climbing through the play-offs.
A gamble on Martin would require Everton to shrug off Southampton's dreadful start to the season, when their rookie defense looked naive, rigid and lacked the pragmatism required to survive in the Premier League with relatively limited resources.
He was sacked on December 15 after a 5-0 at home to Tottenham This left Saints nine points from safety.
“I will live and die by the sword for what I believe in.” 🗣️
Russell Martin discusses Southampton's playing style 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/K3qInjRtsF
– Sky Sports News (SkySportsNews) October 27, 2024
Steve Cooper
Welshman Cooper remains a hero at Nottingham Forest, having guided the club to the Premier League after less than a season in 2021/22 and keeping them there the following year, with only one win in 13 games heralding success. The end of his term in December 2023.
Cooper has become known as an expert in coaching young players, guiding the England Under-17s to world and European titles, reaching the Championship play-offs in successive seasons with Swansea City, culminating in defeat in the 2020/21 final.
The 45-year-old was interviewed for the vacant position at Brighton & Hove Albion before embarking on a forgettable five-month spell at Leicester City this season, where widespread disbelief in his methods among fans was reported to have been repeated among his players.
The Foxes were in 16th place after 12 games when they sacked Cooper, who has been out of work ever since and may not have come away with enough credit for a Premier League job afterwards.
Lee Carsley
Initially signed by his predecessor Walter Smith in 2002, Carsley became an integral part of Moyes' midfield at Everton between 2002 and 2008 and remains highly regarded at the club.
As a coach, his greatest achievement was winning the European Under-21 Championship with England in 2023, and he continued to take caretaker charge of the first team after Gareth Southgate resigned last July.
Carsley was the favorite to become England's permanent manager after winning his first two matches, but a shock defeat at home to Greece and comments in which he appeared to be distancing himself from the job meant he had effectively ruled himself out of the race.
The 50-year-old led England to promotion to the UEFA Nations League in his subsequent matches and is always likely to be discussed when Everton need a manager, but Friedkin's group could be keen to appoint a name they have more familiarity with.
“I hope to return to the under-21 team.”
Lee Carsley gives an update on his future 💭 pic.twitter.com/XhOjx20VQY
– Sky Sports News (SkySportsNews) October 10, 2024
Andoni Airola
Perhaps the tallest on this list, Iraola first caught the eye on the big stage with Spanish side Rayo Vallecano before joining Bournemouth in 2023, where his squad has become increasingly impressive.
The Cherries play attractive football and have only moved one higher than the 12th place they occupied last season, although only West Ham have conceded more goals among non-relegation teams.
This time, the team's performance was more consistent, winning nine matches and losing only five in the first 20 matches, making it three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea under the leadership of the 42-year-old Spanish coach.
Whether the smart Iraola will see this approach as a step forward is a matter of conjecture. While Bournemouth's history in the Championship cannot be compared to Everton's, it would be a brave call to abandon the ambitions of his current club in a high-pressure rebuilding mission.
Paulo Fonseca
An interesting choice, Fonseca's split from Friedkins appeared amicable when he left Roma at the end of his contract in 2021, having been in charge when the Americans took over the club a year ago.
The 51-year-old Portuguese is adept at creating an entertaining – and sometimes arrogant – style of play and nurturing young talent, and has arguably faced unfortunate circumstances during his time at Roma, including overcoming the Covid pandemic and injuries to a string of key players. .
Fonseca has a knack for achieving with underdogs, including leading Pacos Ferreira to the Champions League for the second time in their history and reaching the last 16 with Shakhtar Donetsk as part of a winning campaign over Manchester City.
His sacking by Milan in December was partly seen as a sign of instability behind the scenes, although Milan never looked like preparing for the title challenge Fonseca promised when he arrived in June.
Thomas Frank
Brentford's poor away form this season has damaged their chances of competing for European qualification, and there is a feeling that Frank may have achieved as much as he can with the Bees after more than six years in charge.
Like Iraola, Everton will have to make a compelling case to lure the 51-year-old from one of the most stable jobs in the division to a far more dangerous role. A run of the sort that saw Brentford lose 14 of their 18 league games between last November and March is certainly not going to arouse patience.
Frank was linked with Manchester United earlier this season, with reports even suggesting he was being tested to take over from Erik ten Hag before the ill-fated former manager secured a 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.
There is also the question of whether the Friedkins are seeking a bigger name or will view Frank as a risk, given his current position is his only job in England. A call to become leader of Denmark also seems inevitable at some point.
Edin Terzic
Terzic's last match as coach was last season's Champions League final, ending a more than decade-long association with Borussia Dortmund. Defeat against Real Madrid at Wembley.
The 42-year-old has two years of Premier League experience as assistant to Slaven Bilic at West Ham, and his Dortmund side would have won the German title in 2022/23 had they not drawn at home to Mainz in their final game of the season. .
Dortmund won the 2020/21 German Cup under Terzic's leadership, but their final position in fifth place last season was the lowest since 2014/15 and they were eliminated from the title at an early stage.
The German's pedigree and availability could tempt Everton, in which case Terzic will have to decide whether he wants to challenge in the lower rungs of the division for the first time in his managerial career.
Leighton Baines
Born in nearby Kirkby, Baines played for Everton for 13 years and can be counted on as a reliable option as he was during his days at left-back for the club.
The 40-year-old became the club's academy coach two months after retiring from playing in 2020, and has long been described as having strong managerial potential.
Whether the move happens now may depend on whether Everton are able to secure their preferred targets to replace Daiche. Under-18s coach Baines and captain Seamus Coleman were on a temporary basis in the 2-0 home win over Peterborough United in the FA Cup third round.
“A new manager will come in – and that brings opportunity,” Baines said afterwards. For now, the former England international is almost certain to return to his youth team role.
