EVERTON WILL APPOINT a new manager in the shape of Sam Allardyce later today, all going according to plan.
It’s five weeks since the Toffees dismissed Dutchman Ronald Koeman thanks to a poor run of form that saw them slump to third from bottom in the Premier League.
U23 boss David Unsworth was named caretaker on a short-term basis but the former Everton defender has struggled to improve results over the past month.
Despite claiming a 3-2 win over Watford, the Merseyside club suffered defeats to Leicester City (2-0) and Southampton (4-1) in the league while also crashing out of the Europa League thanks to humiliating losses at the hands of Lyon (3-0) and Atalanta (5-1).
Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright reportedly had different ideas on who should take over the job on a permanent basis and pursuits of Watford’s Marco Silva and Burnley boss Sean Dyche failed, while Ireland manager Martin O’Neill was also heavily-linked.
Although initial talks with Allardyce broke down, the experienced 63-year-old has agreed to return to management and will finalise terms at Finch Farm this afternoon.
After his ill-fated spell in charge of England ended in 2016 — which lasted just one game — Big Sam joined Crystal Palace and successfully kept the Eagles up last season before stepping down back in May.
At that time, Allardyce stated that he had “no ambitions to take another job”. Long-term number two Sammy Lee and ex-Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare will reportedly join the coaching staff.
With Unsworth overseeing his final match at home to West Ham tonight, Allardyce’s first game in charge will be against Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park this Saturday.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
