Everton are looking at managerial possibilities after a failed effort for Roberto Martinez, with Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard now in the running to replace Rafa Benitez.
Martinez was cleared for a return to Goodison Park by the Belgian Football Association, but the Toffees were unable to persuade them.
Lampard, 43, is unemployed after Chelsea fired him in January 2021.
Rooney, a former Everton and Manchester United forward, is the manager of Derby County, who are currently in the Championship’s relegation zone.
Martinez, despite being the first of five managers fired by Everton owner Farhad Moshiri in May 2016 after three seasons, is revered by the club’s administration. Despite exploratory conversations, the Belgian FA refused to let the 48-year-old leave the country.
It’s unclear whether Everton will rehire Martinez, who would be yet another divisive pick by Moshiri after his previous term ended in fan outrage and public demands for his dismissal, but other choices are being considered.
Rooney, 36, has been on the Everton board’s mind since former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was fired after a tumultuous seven months following a 3-1 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday.
With Martinez out of the picture, the club must now decide whether to pursue Derby County manager Wayne Rooney, who has impressed despite the club’s financial woes and point deductions.
Alternatively, they might hire Lampard, a former Rams manager who led Chelsea to the Champions League and the FA Cup Final in his debut season before being fired a year ago.
In addition to the three, Everton has a long list of objectives. Former Croatia and West Ham manager Slaven Bilic, who also played at Everton for a brief time, and former Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre have also been mentioned.
Everton owner Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright are spearheading the search for a new manager, with the intention of appointing someone before Saturday’s home game against Aston Villa.
This may still happen but, if not, Duncan Ferguson, who took training on Tuesday and has designs on the role himself, is likely to take charge on an interim basis.