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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Keifer MacDonald

'Watch this space!' - What the main Everton manager candidates have said about future

Everton Frank Lampard Duncan Ferguson Farhad Moshiri Marcelo Bielsa Sam Allardyce Wayne Rooney EPL Ralph Hasenhuttl Carlos Corberan

In the days since Monday afternoon's announcement that Frank Lampard had been dismissed as Everton manager - there have a whole host of names linked with taking over the reins on the Blue half of Merseyside.

Former fans' favourites at Goodison Park have been linked with succeeding the former England international, with both Wayne Rooney and Duncan Ferguson among those mentioned. Meanwhile former Blues boss Sam Allardyce has also been touted with a possible return to Merseyside, encapsulating just how desperate Everton's current plight is as they look to keep their ever-present Premier status intact.

There's plenty of Premier League experience in the running too with Sean Dyche, who oversaw two promotions to the top-flight with Burnley, and former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl also joining the aforementioned trio in having their names linked. Marcelo Bielsa is another candidate believed to be high on the list.

But what have all the Everton-linked managers recently had to say about their thoughts on their next steps in management? Here the ECHO takes a look...

Sean Dyche (currently favourite at 5/4)

After being sacked from Burnely in April 2022 and replaced by the club's U21s coach Michael Jackson, Dyche has enjoyed an extended hiatus away from the duties of a Premier League manager.

But speaking on Sky Sports back in October, the 51-year-old, who was linked with a return to management with AFC Bournemouth, hinted that he is ready to end his time away from the game.

"No, it's there's a lot of talk (about the Bournemouth speculation),” he said on Monday Night Football. “Obviously, I was under contract at Burnley not under contract anymore.

“You're out of contract as a manager so to speak, so that probably changes your views you'd probably get linked a bit quicker.

“And a few links when I was at Burnley, so it's not new territory, but it's often you know, people throwing names around thrown in the hat. It's always flattering to be linked. Watch this space!"

Marcelo Bielsa (2/1)

Marcelo Bielsa is one of the current favourites to succeed Frank Lampard on Merseyside and has been out of work since his layoff from Leeds United at the back end of last season.

Known for his full-throttle way of playing there have been plenty of questions asked as to whether his style of play would be the right fit for the Blues squad in the short term as they look to battle the drop to the Championship.

The former Athletic Bilbao and Marseille manager had been linked with a return to the Premier League in November as Bournemouth looked to replace Scott Parker. However, interim manager Gary O'Neil was later appointed on a full-time basis.

Not much has been heard from Bielsa in public - but the ECHO understands Moshiri has a long-standing interest in the Argentine. Recent rumours have suggested he has already outlined demands were he to take over at Goodison.

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.

Ralph Hasenhuttl (9/1)

After long-running speculation about his future as Southampton manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl was finally sacked by the club's board in November 2022 after a poor start to the Premier League season left the Saints in the relegation zone.

For the Austrian, it brought an end to a rollercoaster three years and 11 months in the job on the South Coast, as, despite losing 9-0 on two separate occasions, the former RB Leipzig manager was touted as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after his high-octane style of play earned a string of admirers during his early days in England.

However, after being sacked on November 7, Southampton issued this statement: "Southampton Football Club can confirm it has parted company with Men’s First Team Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl.

"First Team Assistant Coach Richard Kitzbichler has also today left the club. Hasenhüttl, who was appointed in December 2018, departs having made a significant contribution to the club, overseeing some memorable results and also playing a key role in the development of our club infrastructure, identity and playing squad.

"However, we now believe it is an appropriate time to make a change. Everyone involved with the club would like to express their sincere thanks to Ralph for all of his efforts, as well as the unwavering commitment he has shown throughout his time as manager.

"First Team Lead Coach Rubén Sellés will take charge of the side on an interim basis for our game on Wednesday night. The club will be announcing a permanent replacement in due course."

Sam Allardyce (10/1)

Former Everton boss Sam Allardyce has seemingly already ruled himself out of the running for a Goodison Park return.

Speaking earlier this week, the former England manager admitted that if he was in the frame to replace Frank Lampard he would have been contacted by the club's board already. Allardyce later praised owner Farhad Moshiri and revealed the respect he has for him.

"If I was going to Everton, they would have already rang me,” said Allardyce on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.

"I know Farhad Moshiri and have a lot of respect for him and the money he has found for Everton.

“They have not invested like Newcastle have invested. They have invested in players who haven't delivered through various different managers."

He added: "I only bought two when I was there, but I still hold up to my achievement, because it was the best. From 16th, 17th to eighth in 22 matches.

“So, what they need is someone who can go in and get the team functioning correctly straight away.

“Contrary to all the negativity that goes about, we talk about defending and it’s true. That’s why they’re bottom of the league.

“Everton struggles for a goalscorer now, so they have to concentrate on clean sheets. Because without them, the way they’re going, they’re not going to win a game."

Wayne Rooney (10/1)

Despite a managerial career that is still only two years young, Wayne Rooney has caught the eye of onlookers and regularly been linked with many Premier League clubs.

After battling heroically against a 21-point deduction in the Championship with Derby County last season, Rooney was linked with a mid-season return to Goodison Park once Rafa Benitez had been given his marching orders.

Speaking to the Guardian, the former England star admitted that the Blues had approached his agent in January 2022, which he turned down, but still holds the belief he will become a top-flight manager one day.

“Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the vacant job, which I turned down,” said Rooney. “I believe I will be a Premier League manager – I believe I’m ready for that, 100%"

The former Manchester United and Everton forward is currently managing Major League Soccer outfit DC United but has been heavily linked with a return to Goodison Park as Frank Lampard's successor.

Duncan Ferguson (12/1)

Duncan Ferguson has had two separate spells as caretaker manager at Everton despite being overlooked for the job in January 2022.

After serving as first-team coach at Goodison Park from 2014 onwards and working under a string of different managers including Roberto Martinez, Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti, Ferguson revealed in an interview with The Times in September that his decision to end his coaching affliction with the Blues was a difficult decision but one had to make in order to pursue his own managerial ambitions.

"I had to do the honourable thing," said Ferguson. "I think when you get interviewed for a job and don't get it, it becomes a bit difficult. I didn't want people thinking I was sitting back waiting for another shot at it. That was the first time I had been interviewed. I was turned down. In my mind that was it.

"The right thing to do was to stay until the end of the season because the club wasn't in a very good position at the time. I felt I should ease that transition with Frank coming in, support him the best I could, and then come the summer I would look to move. It was easier for me but, of course, driving out of the training ground for the last time was heart-breaking.

"Frank didn't want me to leave. I spoke to him two or three times, said what my plans were and I felt he genuinely wanted me to still be at the club. I think he will do well."

He added: " 'I have always been my own man in a way. I will live and die by what I do, and not be scared to make a decision. I think I have the character in me to make decisions. But the key as a manager is, what have you got to work with? What have you got?

"A lot of people do presentations and say, 'This is what I am going to play and this is how I am going to do it.' Then, when they are out on the grass and see what they have, they realise. Before you know it, the presentation is forgotten.

"I am open to any challenge. As long as it is a good owner and I can improve a team. I am not scared of a challenge. If it is the right thing I will do it and give everything I have got. I am ready now to show what I have learnt and what I am all about."

Links with a return to Everton have been tentative, however - and for good reason. It seems Ferguson is on the verge of taking over at Forest Green Rovers.

Carlos Corberan (12/1)

West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan has previously admitted that he holds the aim of one day managing in the Premier League.

Corberan, who impressed as he guided Championship minnows Huddersfield Town to the Play-Off finals last season, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at The Hawthorns Brom since succeeding Steve Bruce earlier in the season.

Speaking just ahead of his appointment in the Midlands, the Spaniard said: “I think for me it is really important that the club makes the right decision about which coach they want, which style they want, what is the vision of the club.

“My job [at Huddersfield Town] was not finished because it is true that when you are really close, when you are at Wembley and have 90 minutes to achieve something very important. When you finish the game my feeling was clear, I want to come back and achieve.

“This is what I want – the feeling that I did not finish my job here in England. It was the aim to put a team in the Premier League [from] the Championship.”

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