According to La Tercera, Everton tried to replace Frank Lampard with Manuel Pellegrini in May, and even offered €4m (£3.4m) in compensation.
What’s the story?
Well, this is interesting news for Everton fans to digest.
Lampard guided the Toffees to Premier League survival by the skin of their teeth last season, and while he connected well with the fanbase, he didn’t exactly do an outstanding job.
Therefore, it is certainly believable – in our view at least – that Everton searched for alternatives.
La Tercera believe Everton offered to pay £3.4m of Pellegrini’s £4.7m release clause, as did an unnamed club from the Middle East.
However, Real Betis responded to interest in the Chilean by improving his salary, as a show of appreciation for his fine work in Spain.
Pellegrini has now been given a 20% pay rise, and seems likely to stay at Real Betis.
The 68-year-old guided Real Betis to fifth in La Liga last season, earning a place in the Europa League as a result.
Throughout his managerial career, Pellegrini has won 90 games in the Premier League, as well as four Manager of the Month awards.
Everton can do better than Manuel Pellegrini
In our view, if Everton really are looking to replace Lampard, then they can do a lot better.
Of course, Pellegrini has an excellent CV, which includes one Premier League title from his days at Manchester City.
However, the South American is approaching his 70s, and he could well retire in a few years.
For Everton, who are in need of a long-term project and a youthful overhaul, we wouldn’t exactly describe Pellegrini as the man to oversee that.
In fairness, we’re believe he would do a better job than Lampard, but after convincing Carlo Ancelotti to join, there are certainly more ambitious targets out there for Farhad Moshiri to pursue.
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