New Delhi: Merseyside club Everton told the bold decision of firing former boss Sean Dyche just hours before their FA Cup clash against Peterborough United last night. The club, now under the ownership of American businessman Dan Friedkin of The Friedkin Group (TFG), are now on the lookout for a new manager that can usher in a new era for the Merseyside club. Everton’s new owners, who are also owners of Italian side AS Roma, have lofty ambitions for the club and will need to hit a home run with their appointment.
Ever since the departure of David Moyes to Manchester United in 2013, the Toffees have not had a successful manager at the helm. They tried bringing in a lot of big names with the likes of Ronald Koeman, Carlo Ancelotti, and Rafa Benitez but none of them could perform with the outside troubles the club faced. Former owner Farhad Moshiri’s handling of the club left a lot to be desired and there is a renewed sense of optimism following the takeover of TFG. Here’s a list of five candidates that the club can turn to as an immediate replacement for Sean Dyche.
5) Leighton Baines
Then and now.
Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, two of the best Everton players in the modern era – the latter is the club’s captain – find themselves together in the dugout, leading the team on an interim basis.#EFC | #EVEPET | #FACup pic.twitter.com/zdoPvOa2oM
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 9, 2025
Starting off with the man who was brought in to take charge of Everton’s FA Cup clash, along side club captain Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines is someone who already has his toes dipped in coaching. The former England International is a club legend and has been at Goodison Park since joining the club in 2007. One of the most underrated left backs during his time as a players, Baines has been a long serving servant to the club and knows the club better than any other candidates on this list.
Ever since hanging up his playing boots, Baines has been coaching at the Everton academy and is the current head coach of the club’s U18 side. He has earned great reviews during his time as U18 head coach and guided the senior team to a 2-0 victory over Peterborough United in his first clash as interim manager. Having club captain and former full back partner Seamus Coleman by his side, Baines can be placed in charge of the club at least on a caretaker basis till the end of the season before the club can look for a bigger name in the summer.
4) Lee Carsley
Lee Carsley has shown interest in becoming Everton’s next manager. 🔵
The former player is reportedly open to taking on the challenge.
This development comes as Everton continues its search for a new leader. #EFC pic.twitter.com/2DS3dGhZbL— Estiuck Al Regun (@earegun) January 9, 2025
Another manager who has been impressing coaching the youth sides is England U21 head coach Lee Carsley. He was also the caretaker manager for the England national team following the departure of Sir Gareth Southgate and did a good job with the national team till the appointment of Thomas Tuchel. Carsley’s time with the England U21 has brought them the UEFA U21 European Championship and his good spell as caretaker boss of the national team has seen his stock rise.
He won five of his six games in charge of the national team and them playing progressive, attacking football, something that they were crying out for, similarly to what Everton are looking for as well. The former midfielder already has links with Everton, having played for the Toffees between 2002 and 2008 and this could be the best chance for him to switch to club management should he wish too. The Everton job could be Carsley’s big break in management that he’s looking for.
3) Thomas Frank
“I think Thomas Frank would be quite excited by the idea of going there” 👀@jamesallcott assesses the names at the top of the betting odds for the next Everton manager. 🐎
— JLA (@JLA_FC) January 9, 2025
Current Brentford manager Thomas Frank is an ambitious choice for the club but is one that could be a very fine choice that both parties could make. The Dane has been impressing with the Bees since his arrival at the club and has turned them into Premier League regulars since their promotion back in 2021. He has continued to be linked away from Brentford everytime there is an opening at any big club, and was on the radar of both Chelsea and Manchester United in 2024.
While a move from Brentford to any big six club might be too big of a step up for various reasons, a switch to Everton could offer a perfect step up for Frank. Everton are historically a bigger club and with their move to a new stadium next season and TFG willing to bankroll them in the summer, it would be good move for the manager to make. It might not be easy or even cheap to pry him away from the Bees midway through the season but they could at least look at getting him in the summer and name an interim manager till the end of the season.
2) Edin Terzic
Edin Terzic in frame for Everton job as Sean Dyche sack decision looms https://t.co/bR7Lw6RfAJ
— TheBlues (@gflan02) September 21, 2024
Former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic has been without a club since leaving BVB last summer. The German manager guided his boyhood club to the finals of the UEFA Champions League last season and has won the DFB Pokal with the German side as well. He has never managed any club other than Borussia Dortmund but his two and half years with a club of that size have been extremely impressive. He is available right now and would be open to join the club immediately, making him an attractive option.
While he hasn’t managed in the Premier League, he won’t be completely new to the league having spent time there before. He was assistant to Croatian manager Slaven Bilic during his time as West Ham boss from 2015 to 2017 and will want to prove himself in arguably the best league in the world. He was linked with the West Ham job as well, which showcases his openness to move to the Premier League and should Everton take advantage of his interest, he would prove to be exactly the kind of appointment that aligns with their ambitions.
1) David Moyes
🚨 David Moyes is emerging as Everton’s number one target to replace Sean Dyche.
(Source: @David_Ornstein) pic.twitter.com/c5pevVV0qy
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 9, 2025
The one name that never stops being linked with the club anytime there’s an opening is that of former manager David Moyes. The Scotsman is one of the best managers that the club have ever had and has always been well-loved by the fans. As of writing this article, he is the current favourite to takeover following Sean Dyche’s departure and he could very well takeover the club by this weekend. Moyes’ appointment could prove to be a two-edged sword as it doesn’t come without it’s risks.
He did well with Everton during his first spell at the club but that ended over 12 years ago and the game has changed drastically since then. He was let go as West Ham manager mainly due to his pragmatic play style, something that Everton fans don’t want to see. It’s a good nostalgia appointment and he could reinvent himself with the new owners and the new influx of cash but a more realistic approach seems to be to appoint him on an interim basis to help the club avoid relegation before looking for a fresh option in the summer.
Premier League club Everton parted ways with manager Sean Dyche last night following a dismal run of form for the Toffees and are now on the lookout for a new manager who can replace him at the struggling Merseyside club. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
