DAVID MOYES and Mark Hughes are the central figures in a boardroom battle over who will replace Marco Silva.
Former Goodison boss Moyes is the No 1 choice of Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright and remains favourite to succeed the Portuguese.
Mark Hughes and David Moyes are the favourites to take over from Marco Silva as Everton boss
There were suggestions Silva could be sacked yesterday.
And that Scot Moyes, 56, who spent 11 successful seasons at the club before leaving for Manchester United in 2013, was only hours away from a widely predicted emotional return.
Yet majority owner Farhad Moshiri — after first going along with Kenwright’s plan to bring back Moyes — is now being serenaded by agent Kia Joorabchian.
He not only represents Hughes but also Toffees’ Brazilian stars Bernard and Richarlison and is understood to be offering not only the Welshman but a host of possible transfer targets.
Everton are hovering just above the drop zone after last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by struggling Norwich.
Boardroom meetings were held immediately, followed by more on Sunday, and the sacking of Silva was effectively sealed.
What has been agreed is that with clashes against Leicester, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United coming up Silva cannot be allowed to carry on.
But the rival factions within the Goodison hierarchy are now at war about who will replace the Portuguese.
SunSport understands that Moyes was the person ready to step in.
The pressure escalated for Silva this weekend with a drab 2-0 defeat at home to NorwichCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Moshiri agreed that change is desperately needed. But he has now decided that he wants more time to think over who will become the fifth manager of the reign that began 43 months ago.
Now former Wales, and Manchester City boss Hughes is very much in the frame, along with Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe and ex–Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez — now at Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.
The position of Everton’s director of football Marcel Brands is under threat after he oversaw a £226million spend with Silva, who came in for Sam Allardyce 18 months ago.
Sam Allardyce says Everton have gone backwards since he left and tips David Moyes to stabilise the club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
