Jose Mourinho has been installed as the bookmakers' favorite to take charge of Everton if they decide to sack Sean Dyche, but there are several reasons why the prospect of the Portuguese moving to Merseyside seems unlikely.
Dyche is under pressure after a series of poor performances that led to the Toffees falling to sixteenth place in the English Premier League, one point away from the relegation places.
Everton have won just one of their last 10 league games – a resounding 4-0 win over Wolves on December 4. But in their other nine matches during this period, they drew five and lost four, scoring just one goal in the process.
The new owners, the Friedkin Group, are unlikely to view this sequence favourably, especially as remaining in the Premier League has become more important than ever this season with the club moving to its new Bramley Dock stadium in the 2025-26 season.
What do bettors say?
Mourinho is the 4/5 favorite at BetVictor, while Unibet, LiveScoreBet and BetMGM are all rated at 3/4.
BetMGM UK Director Sam Behar said: “Is the Premier League ready for more Jose Mourinho? Well, our bet suggests 'The Special One' could be set for another spell in England with Everton.
“He is a 3/4 to replace the low-pressing Sean Dyche at Goodison Park ahead of former Everton boss David Moyes.
“There are a whole host of other names but Mourinho is the favorite in what could be a real coup for the Merseyside club.”
BetMGM has Moyes at 4/1, David Wagner at 9/1 and both Steve Cooper and Russell Martin at 14s.
Could it happen?
The last one ever @EmiratesFACup Draw in the third round at Goodison Park. Quip!⏳ pic.twitter.com/d0kUSdHtMn
– Everton (@Everton) January 9, 2025
Well, first of all, Dyche remains in place despite growing unease among a fanbase that has remained remarkably patient despite many years of uninspiring football.
Everton will face Peterborough United in the third round of the FA Cup tonight. Assuming the game gets the green light. Defeat is unlikely but the next two Premier League matches, home clashes with Aston Villa and Tottenham, could determine Dyche's fate.
Mourinho took over as coach of Fenerbahce in Turkey last June and did a good job. Fener is ranked second in the Turkish League, but is unlikely to win the title due to the superiority of its rival Galatasaray, which is eight points away from the lead.
Obstacles
It is not certain that Mourinho would want to swap Istanbul for Merseyside. Fenerbahce are a club with a huge fan base and are almost certainly guaranteed European football every season.
Barring an unlikely FA Cup run that culminated in Wembley success, Everton won't be playing continental football any time soon.
In fact, more years of toil and struggle seem more likely, and Mourinho has previously spoken of his lack of appetite for a relegation battle.
He told Sky Sports in October: “Honestly, this has to be the hardest thing, much harder than playing for titles. It's very difficult emotionally because it's a life-changing thing. You know, staying in the Premier League or being relegated, that's life-changing.” People change a lot of things. The brave men are the ones who do it.”
Mourinho also has a history with Friedkin's group.
As Roma's owners, they sacked the two-time Champions League winner after they deemed he was not getting value for money from an expensively assembled squad.
At the time of his dismissal last January, the Giallorossi were ninth in Serie A and struggling to reach the Champions League qualifying places.
Mourinho then claimed that he was “kicked out by someone who doesn't understand football”, referring to Dan Friedkin.
It seems unlikely that he will go down this path again.
