Yesterday’s editorial turned out to be well-timed, as less than an hour after I wrote that Ronald Koeman should leave Everton, the Toffees sacked the Dutch boss.
The feeling around Merseyside was that the decision was almost inevitable following the recent poor run of results. Everton’s under-23 boss David Unsworth will fill the gap on a temporary basis while the clubs hierarchy decides on who will fill the role on a permanent basis.
The next incumbent has a big job on his hands. Koeman has left the Merseysiders 18th in the Premier League. Here are the five most likely candidates according to the bookies:
Sean Dyche (Burnley, odds of 2/1)
The Burnley boss has emerged as the early favourite for the job. Dyche has guided the Clarets to promotion on two occasions and helped establish the north west club as a stable Premier League outfit in his five-year stint at Turf Moor.
The 46-year-old is renowned for his no-nonsense approach to football and life in general. Dyche has shown through his work with the Clarets that he knows exactly how to organise a team and that he has excellent man-management skills, some attributes badly needed at Everton.
Dyche is also reportedly a target for Leicester City, so the ‘Ginger Mourinho’ as he has been dubbed by some Clarets fans may have a big decision to make in near future.
David Unsworth (Caretaker boss, odds of 4/1)
The former Everton defender has a burgeoning reputation in coaching circles after guiding Everton’s under-23 team to the Premier League 2 title last season. Unsworth is in temporary charge of the team and will have a chance of proving his worth in the next few games.
Unsworth is a popular figure at the club and there are reports that suggest the players want ‘Rhino’ to be the next Toffees boss on a permanent basis. The 44-year-old has helped develop a number of Everton’s top young players. He also knows the club inside and out and has an obvious affection for the Merseysiders.
Thomas Tuchel (Unattached, odds of 5/2)
The former Dortmund boss is one of the most highly-rated young coaches in European football. Tuchel forged a big reputation during a five-year stint with Mainz, where he helped the minnows secure their highest ever Bundesliga finish.
He moved to Dortmund in 2015. His debut campaign saw BVB finish as Bundesliga runners-up to Bavarian giants Bayern Munich, while last season they finished third and won the German Cup.
Tuchel left the club just three days after winning the German Cup following a behind the scenes disagreement with some of the clubs hierarchy.
Despite his sacking, Tuchel retains a reputation as a very good tactician. The German likes his team to play attacking football, using a high-press, similar to that used by his Dortmund predecessor Jurgen Klopp.
However, Tuchel is arguably more tactically flexible than Liverpool boss Klopp. The 44-year-old has shunned other opportunities in the past but is reportedly interested in taking the role on Merseyside.
Marco Silva (Watford, odds of 7/1)
Like Tuchel, Silva is a highly regarded young European coach. The Portuguese boss impressed in a short spell at Hull City, despite relegation last season. He moved on to Watford in the summer and the Hornets are currently sixth place in Premier League table.
Silva’s football philosophy is one of attacking football. However, he has the tactical acumen to park the bus when he needs to. The 40-year-old is not set in his ways when it comes to formations. He will not stubbornly stick rigidly to a plan like some bosses.
Whether Silva would make the move to Merseyside is debatable. He has only just moved to Watford and his team are doing well this season. A move to Everton could potentially be career-damaging considering the mess the team are in at the moment.
Carlo Ancelotti (Unattached, odds of 9/1)
The Italian boss left German giants Bayern Munich earlier this season after winning the German title in his debut Bundesliga campaign. The experienced former AC Milan chief has stated that he will take a break from football until next season.
Ancelotti has a fine managerial pedigree, having won the Champions League as boss on three occasions. No doubt, he would be of interest to most Premier League clubs considering his history of winning big silverware.
However, it seems doubtful that the Italian would take the Everton job at this juncture. It seems unlikely he will be heading for Merseyside anytime soon.
Other possible candidates
A number of other bosses have been linked with the job such as David Moyes, Eddie Howe and Sam Allardyce. However, all three seem unlikely appointments at this stage.
The Everton hierarchy needs to get the next appointment right if the Toffees are to move up the table. A manager that picks players in the right positions and actually has a plan would be a start. The next few weeks could be very interesting on Merseyside.
Who should be the next Everton boss?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
