David Moyes is in talks with Everton over a potential return to Goodison Park after the sacking of Sean Dyche.
While a deal is not yet done, and Moyes is not the only candidate, BBC Sport has been told the Scot is the front-runner by a well-placed source.
Negotiations over a contract are set to continue on Friday.
Ex-Burnley boss Dyche was dismissed on Thursday with the club 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
They have won just three of 19 games in the league this season.
Moyes managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 before leaving to take charge of Manchester United, but he was sacked after 10 months.
He had two spells at West Ham and guided them to the Europa Conference League title in 2023, but has been out of work since leaving them last season.
Moyes recently said he was not ready to retire from football management but did not want to be in a job “fighting relegation”.
After being appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to football, he said: “Football is in my blood. It has been since I was a boy.
“I love watching football and I have enjoyed my career. If there is another part to it, so be it. But I would only want it to be a good part.
“I wouldn’t want to be coming in and doing something which is very difficult.”
‘Safe pair of hands’ – what Everton fans think
Mike Richards, from The Unholy Trinity Everton Podcast, believes the return of Moyes would provide the club with stability as they look to move away from a relegation battle.
“Moyes has his detractors amongst the supporters,” said Richards. “How he left the club, underhand bids for both Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, and referring to Evertonians as ‘a disgrace’, still don’t sit well with some.
“I always believe time is a great healer. The most important thing is the football club and it’s best interests.
“Moyes is the proverbial safe pair of hands who can certainly provide stability and begin what is a major rebuild we so desperately need.”
He added: “A time will come when we appoint a young, up and coming manager, who can reinvent the club identity. Now isn’t that time.
“A strong head, safe hands and this familiar face makes perfect sense.
“Maybe it is written in the stars.”
Everton owners’ reason for rejecting Jose Mourinho as David Moyes set for emotional return
Everton have sacked Sean Dyche and former Toffees boss David Moyes is their top target to replace him, with Jose Mourinho not in contention for a Premier League return.
Jose Mourinho is not in the frame to become Everton’s new manager following the sacking of Sean Dyche.
Everton’s new owners, The Friedkin Group (TFG), made the decision to part ways with Dyche less than a month after buying the club from Farhad Moshiri. The Toffees currently sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, and have five games without a win.
Despite suggestions Mourinho could be set for a return to England to replace Dyche, he has never been considered as an option. Mourinho is currently in charge of Turkish side Fenerbahce, having joined the club over the summer after he was sacked by Roma.
Roma are also owned by TFG and Mourinho notably ended the club’s 11-year trophy drought by winning the 2022 Europa Conference League. However, he was axed in 2024 after a poor start to his third season in charge, and TFG have no desire to work with him again.
Speaking at his final press conference in charge, Dyche was quizzed about his future and admitted: “It should be [under scrutiny]. At the end of the day, if you are a business of this size, succession planning surely should be part of their diligence.
Former Everton boss David Moyes has emerged as the top target to replace Dyche instead and the 61-year-old is immediately available, having been out of work since leaving West Ham at the end of last season.
Talks are ongoing between the two parties about a return to Goodison Park, and will step up on Friday. Under-18s boss Leighton Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman have taken interim charge of Everton in the meantime.
