Stoke assistant thinks the Brighton manager would be ideal for Everton.
Stoke City assistant manager Mark Bowen has claimed that Brighton and Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton should be considered as an option for the managerial vacancy at Everton.
Everton are still on the lookout for a permanent successor to Ronald Koeman and, while the likes of Marco Silva and Sean Dyche have been linked with the position, Hughton’s name hasn’t been mentioned.
Bowen feels that Hughton, whom he played alongside for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1980s, would be a great fit at Everton.
Bowen told Stoke’s official website: “I played with Chris [Hughton] at Tottenham Hotspur a long time ago, and he is a good friend of mine – I know his family really well.
“I think he is very much underrated as a manager, and it really surprises me when I don’t see his name linked with other jobs that crop up – like the Everton one for example.
“If you look at his CV and what he has done, he’s got a knack of not just coaching, but getting the best out of players also, which is more important these days.”
Hughton’s first managerial position was at Newcastle United and he has since had spells in charge of Birmingham City, Norwich City and now Brighton.
The 58-year-old has received much praise for the work that he has done at Brighton, whom he has managed for almost three years.
Having succeeded in guiding Brighton to promotion to the Premier League, Hughton has overseen an encouraging start to the season, with his team currently in eighth place in the table.
It is clear that Hughton is excellent at motivating his players and if he was to be appointed at Everton it seems likely that he would be able to get the side performing with greater cohesion, with the signs suggesting that the 58-year-old would be an excellent choice to take charge at Goodison Park.
However, it could well prove problematic to prise Hughton away from Brighton, where his job is seemingly much more secure than it would be at Everton.
If there is an opportunity to appoint Hughton then Everton should look to pursue it as they aim to preserve their Premier League status.
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