Everton have held talks with Manuel Pellegrini as they step up their search for a new manager.
It is 10 days since Roberto Martinez was sacked and the club are discussing a number of high-profile options, including Sevilla’s Unai Emery.
Pellegrini, who has just finished a successful three-year spell with Manchester City, is understood to have met Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major investor, to discuss his suitability to succeed Martinez.
The idea of managing Everton may appeal to Pellegrini as he would be able to continue operating in the Premier League without having to leave his current base in the North West.
However, a number of other candidates will be met this week. They include Southampton’s Ronald Koeman and his Dutch compatriot Frank de Boer, who has recently left his position at Ajax. Both men share an agent in Guido Albers.
Koeman, who has led Southampton into the Europa League, has been noncommittal about his future, with 12 months remaining on his contract at St Mary’s.
Another contender is the highly-regarded Emery, who last week masterminded the 3-1 defeat of Liverpool in Basle that brought Sevilla their third successive Europa League trophy.
Emery, who was interviewed for the position Sam Allardyce vacated at West Ham 12 months ago, is admired at Goodison Park. Former Toffees boss David Moyes also remains under consideration.
This will be a summer of sweeping change at Everton. They could lose as many as 10 players including John Stones and Romelu Lukaku, who has made it clear he expects to find a new club soon.– Daily Mail