Everton sacked manager Ronald Koeman on Monday afternoon.
Everton confirmed on Monday afternoon that manager Ronald Koeman has been relieved of his duties after a dreadful start to the season.
The Toffees went into the season full of hope and optimism, having splashed the cash over the summer on players such as Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen, whilst they also brought Wayne Rooney back to the club.
However, with five defeats in the first nine Premier League games, and just one point taken from three Europa League outings, Everton have endured a disastrous start to the campaign.
Sunday’s dreadful 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Arsenal proved to be Koeman’s final game in charge of Everton, as the Toffees have decided to part ways with the Dutchman after less than 18 months in charge.
Bookmakers have already started pricing up odds for who could replace Koeman, and here are some of the main names in the frame this evening, as provided by Sky Bet.
David Unsworth: 9/4
Ex-Everton defender Unsworth, who has most recently been serving as the club’s Under-23 coach, has taken caretaker charge of the Toffees following Koeman’s exit, and oversaw tonight’s 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea. Despite the defeat, Unsworth remains the favourite for the job, with odds of just 9/4. However, his lack of managerial experience may well count against him, and his best bet may be to land the job until the end of the season, allowing Everton time to weigh up their options.
Sean Dyche: 5/2
Burnley boss Dyche became the instant favourite for the job after Koeman’s exit, but he has drifted out ever so slightly to around 5/2. Dyche has worked miracles for Burnley since his appointment in 2012, winning two promotions to the Premier League before surviving last term. Now establishing themselves as a Premier League club, Burnley’s success is largely attributed to Dyche, though his style of play may not appease Everton fans.
Marco Silva: 5/1
Watford boss Silva is the choice of many Everton fans, but a move may be tricky given that he only took the Vicarage Road job over the summer. The Portuguese boss impressed at Hull last season despite suffering relegation to the Championship, and he has quickly turned Watford into a dangerous, well-drilled outfit with aspirations of a top eight finish this season. Now 5/1 for the Everton job, Silva’s odds are being cut, but it still looks like a difficult deal to pull off.
Manuel Pellegrini: 20/1
Ex-Manchester City boss Pellegrini – who won the Premier League title in 2014 – is now in at 20/1 for the Everton job, but a return to England may be tricky. The Chilean is currently managing in China with Hebei China Fortune, where he is earning a huge salary that may be tricky to match. A veteran manager, formerly of Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga, Pellegrini could be a smart choice, and he is something of a dark horse despite his contract in China.
David Wagner: 28/1
Finally, Huddersfield boss Wagner has emerged as a long shot for the job, coming in at 28/1. The German has earned huge praise for winning promotion with Huddersfield last season whilst showing promising signs in the Premier League, and he is now touted for Everton. A former colleague of Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund and even the Liverpool manager’s best man at his wedding, Wagner could form an incredible rivalry with the Reds boss, and he is a name to keep an eye on.
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