Don Hutchinson has claimed on Twitter that his former side Everton are making a mistake by ignoring Ajax boss Erik ten Hag to chase Derby’s Wayne Rooney as their next manager.
The Toffees are looking for their seventh permanent coach in six-years after sacking Rafa Benitez on Sunday. Farhad Moshiri cut short the Spaniard’s Goodison Park stint after losing at Norwich City. The Canaries were the Premier League’s basement boys ahead of kick-off.
Everton have now lost nine of their last 13 games and only won once since beating Norwich on September 25. Their dire run of results has dropped the Blues to within six-points of the relegation zone. The Merseysiders had sat level on points with second-place to October 2.
Additionally, no side claimed fewer points since Everton beat Norwich than Benitez’s side managed. They only took six of a possible 39, while conceding 27 goals to just 12 scored.
Moshiri is exploring a return to Everton for Derby boss Rooney to replace Benitez as their next manager. The Telegraph report the Toffees owner will interview the Goodison product and Frank Lampard with Chairman Bill Kenwright, who is taking a key role in the process.
The Blues would have to buy Rooney from his contract at Pride Park, where he has worked since January 2021. He has so far overseen 53 games, including 26 in the Championship so far this season. The Rams have won eight and drawn 11 as they fight to avoid relegation.
Hutchinson wants Everton to target Ten Hag over Rooney as next manager
But while Derby coach Rooney is a candidate to replace Benitez, Hutchinson wants Moshiri to at least attempt to hire Ajax boss Ten Hag as their next manager and land an elite name.
The former Blues midfielder has suggested on Twitter that chasing Rooney without making a move to at least hold talks with the 51-year-old would be a mistake by Moshiri. He wrote:
“I’m sorry, I totally understand the emotional connection between former players. But if Everton want to be an elite club, they should be looking for an elite manager IMO.
“They should be on the phone to managers like Ten Haag etc. Even if he says no, you have got to ask the Q.”
Ten Hag has managed Ajax since December 2017 and signed a new contract last April until June 2023. He currently has De Godenzonen second in the Eredivisie, a point behind rivals PSV Eindhoven. The Amsterdam outfit have also won 14 of their 19 games so far this term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
