David Moyes is being considered for an emotional return to Goodison Park after Everton dramatically sacked Sean Dyche before their FA Cup tie with Peterborough.
There has been speculation all week about Dyche’s position, fuelled by Everton making an inquiry on Monday to Graham Potter’s representatives around the time when the new West Ham manager was being interviewed by David Sullivan to succeed Julen Lopetegui.
The Friedkin Group, who whose takeover from Farhad Moshiri was confirmed on December 19 last year, had been assessing the situation around Dyche – accelerated by last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth – and concerns were mounting following a run of one win in 11 matches.
It is understood that Dyche was on the brink of leaving Everton on Wednesday night but he reported to Finch Farm to take a light training session on Thursday morning. There was an uneasy atmosphere around the club and, four hours before kick-off, the decision was taken to end his two-year reign.
Everton released a terse four-sentence statement to confirm that Dyche and his assistants Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer had all left the club after two years and that the process of recruiting a new manager had begun.
Though Jose Mourinho – who worked under The Friedkin Group at Roma – was linked with the post, it quickly became clear that Moyes was the overwhelming favourite to step into the role he previously held from February 2002 to May 2013.
Former Everton manager David Moyes is being considered for a shock return to the club
Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager with the club facing another relegation fight
Moyes previously held the role at Goodison Park between February 2002 and May 2013
Moyes was in line to return to Everton once before and was interviewed in Munich by Moshiri in December 2019 but was usurped at the eleventh hour when the Iranian billionaire suddenly grasped at the chance to appoint Carlo Ancelotti.
The appeal of Moyes is obvious: he would be accepted by supporters, is immediately available and his vast knowledge of the Premier League makes him the ideal candidate to steer the club away from relegation. Everton, who will move into a new stadium next season, simply cannot go down.
More will become clear on Friday, when Moyes is set to meet Everton officials, among whom are expected to be The Director of Football Kevin Thelwell; he told the current squad at the Titanic Hotel on Thursday that Dyche had been sacked.
Colin Chong, Everton’s Chief Executive, told other members of staff at the club, many of whom were startled about the timing of the decision. The new executive chairman appointed by Friedkin Group, Marc Watts, was not in country.
Dyche had come under increasing fire since the turn of the year, with Everton having lost their last two games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth without scoring a goal. He has looked increasingly exasperated and those close to him fear he had been worn down.
The 53-year-old had six months remaining on his contract and while it was unlikely to be renewed, his work in preserving Everton’s Premier League status in the last two season should have been acknowledged in the statement that was released.
It read: ‘Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect. Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer have also left the Club.
‘The process to appoint a new Manager is underway and an update will be provided in due course. Under-18s Head Coach Leighton Baines and Club Captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.’
