Marcelo Bielsa has emerged as Everton’s number one contender to replace Frank Lampard following his sacking on Monday.
However, whether the Blues are able to entice the Argentine to Goodison Park remains to be seen. Bielsa, it is claimed, is believed to have concerns about replacing Lampard.
The former England international was sacked on Monday following a string of poor results that have left Everton mired in another relegation. The Blues are currently second bottom of the Premier League table.
MANAGER SEARCH: Live updates and next manager latest as Frank Lampard sacked by Everton
MICHAEL BALL: Everton don't need more rallying cries from players who know what must happen
The 44-year-old won only one of his last 12 Premier League matches in charge of the Blues, with his last win coming against Crystal Palace back in October.
The former Chelsea and Derby County boss was told his 357-day spell in charge of Everton had come to an end during a phone call with Farhad Moshiri on Monday afternoon.
Moshiri, who is the club’s majority shareholder, was in attendance with the rest of the club's board for Saturday's 2-0 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium. It was the first time the British-Iranian businessman had watched his side in the flesh since October 2021.
And although eyebrows were raised when Bielsa emerged as the leading contender to take over from Lampard on Monday night, the ECHO understands Moshiri has a long-standing interest in the Argentine.
So much so that when Marco Silva was coming under-pressure ahead of his December 2019 sacking, Bielsa was identified as a possible candidate to succeed the Portuguese at Goodison.
But Bielsa made it clear at the time that he wanted to remain at Leeds United and help them secure promotion to the Premier League. The Elland Road club were flying high at the time having been beaten by Derby County, managed by Lampard at the time, in the play-off semi-finals the season before.
Bielsa would go on to guide Leeds to the Championship title - and a return to the top-flight in the process - ending a 16-year absence from England’s top division. Everton instead opted to appoint Carlo Ancelotti after sacking Silva following a 5-2 derby defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
Ahead of his appointment at Elland Road, Bielsa made a number of demands to the club. Some of the requests, it is claimed, were for a new camera system to record training sessions, more car parking spaces to reduce stress in the morning, small hills to be flattened to change and for the club’s swimming pool to be revamped.
And on Tuesday afternoon it was claimed by the Daily Mail that Bielsa has told Everton that their players are too slow for the way he wants to play and the club need to prioritise pace before the transfer window closes. His concern, according to the report, is said to be a lack of pace, especially in defensive areas.
READ NEXT:
Farhad Moshiri has 10 days to fix even bigger problem than Everton's next manager
Carlos Corberan links make sense after ideal Everton 'audition' but big risk remains
-
Frank Lampard sacking leaves Everton with awkward question nobody wants to answer
- Farhad Moshiri and the shocking price Everton will pay after Frank Lampard exit
- Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville clash over next Everton manager after Frank Lampard sacking
