Jose Mourinho is reportedly in talks with Everton to replace Roberto Martinez, thus rejecting Manchester United over any potential advances or prior agreements. If reports in the British press are to be believed, the Portuguese manager has lost his patience with Manchester United’s ‘flip-flopping’ over a concrete offer and Everton have tried to take advantage by offering Mourinho the managerial job.
According to a report in the Sunday Times, Everton are keen on appointing a ‘big name’ as a replacement for the recently departed Roberto Martinez. The Toffees have been encouraged in their efforts by powerful new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, who has decided on a path that will result in Everton attempting to make some audacious approaches.
The report states that Everton are in touch with Mourinho’s representatives, with a view to offering him a concrete offer, while the hierarchy at Manchester United hesitate in their attempt to sign the Portuguese manager.
Everton club legend Neville Southall is desperate to get Mourinho at the club, saying “Ideally what we need is a mix of David Moyes' defensive solidity and Martinez's attacking flair. So a Mourinho team would fit the bill perfectly. He is a proven winner and even if he was in for just three years he'd have won a trophy by then.”
“He has the arrogance and swagger to lift Everton out of the mire. His teams are built from the back, but score plenty of goals and don't give points away easily.”
However, with reports emerging that Mourinho had rejected Manchester United to sign a five-year deal at Valencia, it seems that there is plenty of smoke surrounding the Portuguese manager’s future.
If Everton are unable to get Mourinho, the Toffees have their eye on Ronald Koeman for the job although the Dutchman has noted that he is happy at Southampton. Frank de Boer is favourite to take over at Goodison Park, with the Dutchman having recently quit, although Everton might revisit their past with their final decision.
David Moyes has publically expressed an interest to work once again with the club he spent the best part of the decade with, but the Toffees might be wary of the Scot’s unambitious nature given Moshiri’s push for a greater impact on the Premier League next season.
