David Moyes is being considered for an emotional return to Goodison Park after Everton dramatically sacked Sean Dyche ahead of their FA Cup tie with Peterborough.
There has been speculation all week about Dyche's position, fueled by the fact that Everton made an inquiry to Graham Potter's representatives on Monday at the time David Sullivan was interviewing the new West Ham manager to succeed Julen Lopetegui.
The Friedkin group, whose acquisition of 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 growing after a spell of one victory in 11 games. .
Dyche is understood to have been close to leaving Everton on Wednesday night but reported to Finch Farm for a light training session on Thursday morning. There was an atmosphere of unease at the club and, four hours before kick-off, the decision was made to end his two-year reign.
Everton issued a terse four-sentence statement to confirm that Dyche and his assistants Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer had left the club after two years and that the process of hiring a new manager had begun.
Although José Mourinho, who worked for The Friedkin Group at Roma, was linked with the job, it quickly became clear that Moyes was the overwhelming favorite to take the position he previously held from February 2002 to May 2013.
Former Everton manager David Moyes is being considered for a surprise return to the Club.
Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager and the club faces another relegation fight
Moyes previously held the role at Goodison Park between February 2002 and May 2013.
Moyes came close to returning to Everton once before and was interviewed in Munich by Moshiri in December 2019, but was usurped at the last minute when the Iranian billionaire suddenly jumped at the chance to appoint Carlo Ancelotti.
Moyes' appeal is obvious: he would be accepted by the fans, he is available immediately and his extensive knowledge of the Premier League makes him the ideal candidate to steer the club away from relegation. Everton, who will move to a new stadium next season, simply cannot go down.
More will become clear on Friday, when Moyes will meet Everton management, who are expected to include director of football Kevin Thelwell; He told the current team at the Titanic Hotel on Thursday that Dyche had been sacked.
Colin Chong, Everton's chief executive, told other members of the club's staff, many of whom were surprised by the timing of the decision. The new CEO appointed by the Friedkin Group, Marc Watts, was not in the country.
Dyche had been the subject of increasing criticism since the start of the year, and Everton had lost their last two games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth without scoring a goal. He seems increasingly exasperated and those close to him fear that he has become worn out.
The 53-year-old had six months left on his contract and, although it was unlikely to be renewed, his work in preserving Everton's Premier League status over the past two seasons should have been recognized in the statement that was issued.
It said: “Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as manager of the senior men's first team 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.