EVERTON have axed Marco Silva in the wake of their 5-2 Merseyside derby mauling at the hands of Liverpool.
SunSport exclusively revealed that the former Toffees boss said goodbye to his Everton players in the away dressing room at Anfield.
Marco Silva has been axed as Everton manager after just over a year in the jobCredit: PA:Press Association
The Portuguese drove to the Toffees’ training ground this morningCredit: Maverick Photography
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, who was chauffeured in as he sat in the back seat, was spotted arriving shortly after to deliver the axeCredit: Maverick Photography
Silva, 42, was already under pressure going into the game and saw his side concede four times in the first half.
He was pictured heading to the club’s Finch Farm training base this morning – three hours before training was due to start.
And owner Farhad Moshiri soon arrived, and he asked the players to stay behind after training today to address them before having talks with the ex-Watford manager before informing him he was axed.
Duncan Ferguson will take temporary charge as caretaker boss for Saturday’s lunchtime game against Chelsea.
A club statement read: “Everton Football Club can confirm that manager Marco Silva has left the club.
“Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright and the board of directors would like to thank Marco for his service over the last 18 months and wish him well for the future.
“Duncan Ferguson has taken temporary charge of the first team and will manage the side for the game against Chelsea on Saturday.
“The club aims to confirm a new permanent manager as swiftly as possible.”
SunSport understands that David Moyes has already been approached over a return to his former stomping ground.
The Scot has been preparing things behind the scenes to start work immediately should the call finally come.
But Everton will only be able to persuade him to return to Goodison Park if they are prepared to offer him a deal beyond the end of the season.
Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri is in two minds whether the best approach would be to bring in a boss on a short-term deal until the end of the season just to ensure the club is not relegated.
But Moyes, 56, believes he can only come into the role and make a difference if he is given the backing to embark on a long-term project to improve the squad.
Having had his fingers burned by agreeing to a stop-gap deal at West Ham – where he was axed despite saving the club from the drop – the Scot wants more assurances over his future.
And with the Hammers also showing interest in re-appointing him if results under Manuel Pellegrini do not improve soon, Everton could find their hand forced if they want to get their man.
Speaking after the Liverpool rout, ex-Watford boss Silva said: “It is really tough for us but if you are in the relegation zone then it is because you are making the same mistakes and not strong enough to be in a difficult position.
“I am not here to talk about the fighting of the players because they do fight, but our opponent was braver but we know it is tough for all of their opponents. We weren’t good enough.
“I am not the right person to speak about my future or to answer that, you have to ask someone else.
“Every game I will play I will get the same question but you have to ask the right person.
“We have to get out the relegation zone and do that on the pitch.”
Divock Origi scored twice, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Sadio Mane also on target before Georginio Wijnaldum struck the final blow.
The result left Everton in the bottom three – 29 points behind their cross-city rivals.
And Silva, who arrived at Goodison Park in May 2018, paid the price for a run of three defeats on the bounce.
Dejected Marco Silva responds to questions on his future as Everton boss after Liverpool thrashing
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
