Exclusive: Everton board start new manager search with 37-yr-old sounded out

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Published on:

25 Nov 2019, 1:30 am

Everton have started the process of replacing beleaguered manager Marco Silva amid growing dissension at boardroom level,

Football Insider

understands.

The pressure on the under-fire Toffees boss has intensified following Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Norwich City – who are third from bottom in the Premier League.

An Everton source has told Football Insider the club's hierarchy of owner Farhad Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright and director of football Marcel Brands held talks after Saturday's humbling loss.

Moshiri has been to keen to support Silva, despite a furious reaction from Everton supporters towards the end of the defeat, with many joining in chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" from the travelling contingent.

Manchester City number two Mikel Arteta is a top contender to replace the 42-year-old Portugese after making a big impression since retiring from playing.

He is set to be sounded out by third parties about his interest in the post in the coming days.

As revealed by Football Insider last week, Kenwright has championed David Moyes to take over for a second spell, six years after he quit to join Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho was also in the board's thoughts before he was appointed the new Tottenham manager last Tuesday, while Mark Hughes is a possible interim option.

Silva's position has been discussed at board level following a wretched start to the campaign that's left the club in 15th place in the Premier League table.

Saturday's defeat to lowly Norwich was Everton's seventh from 13 league games this season, and the next five matches are against Leicester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

The final decision on Silva and the identity of his successor would rest with majority shareholder Moshiri, but lifelong Toffee Kenwright still retains great influence at the club.

In other Everton news, it can be REVEALED that Moshiri has made a U-turn over January transfer.

Everton FC