Everton approached Roma coach Jose Mourinho to take over after sacking Rafa Benitez today, claims The Telegraph, but he turned them down.
It was formally announced today that Benitez had been sacked after just six months in charge of the Toffees.
Yesterday’s 2-1 defeat to Norwich City proved the final straw, their ninth defeat in the last 12 Premier League fixtures, leaving Everton only six points clear of the drop zone.
Former Inter and Napoli coach Benitez had signed a three-year contract, but now Everton are looking for a sixth tactician in just six years.
According to Telegraph Sport, the Merseyside club approached Mourinho, who turned them down immediately, as he only joined Roma over the summer.
Among the candidates to replace Benitez, there will also be Paulo Fonseca, another former Roma tactician who had already been linked with Tottenham Hotspur.
Other options include a potential return to Everton for Belgium manager Roberto Martinez, who had been here from 2013 to 2016, Duncan Ferguson or Marco Silva.
Niko Kovac has to be in the frame after he was sacked by AS Monaco last month.
“Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as first team manager. Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the Club with immediate effect.
“An update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course.”
Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as first team manager.
— Everton (@Everton) January 16, 2022