Just when you thought it was safe to think you knew all the candidates for the Everton manager’s job, another name emerges. That name is Maurizio Sarri.
According to Italian source Calciomercato, Sarri, who has managed in the Premier League before at Chelsea, has until Friday to decide whether he takes the Lazio job. However, the report adds Everton has emerged as a possible landing spot for Sarri.
This is the first time the Italian’s name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Toffee’s top job, which came open when Carlo Ancelotti resigned to take the Real Madrid. And sometimes it just seems names get thrown out to just be out there.
Sarri only lasted a year at Chelsea, despite winning the Europa League and 40 of 63 fixtures across all competitions. However, he is 62 and the Royal Blues might not want to appoint another manager of that age after Ancelotti.
Maurizio Sarri is linked with Everton now even though he is considered close to Lazio
Lazio wants Sarri to replace Simone Inzaghi, who took the Inter Milan job after Antonio Conte left.
Other candidates include: Nuno Espirito Santo, ex-boss David Moyes, who is a favourite of chairman Bill Kenwright; Paulo Fonseca, who lost out to Marco Silva, the last time the Everton job came open; Rafa Benitez, who despite his ties to the other team in Liverpool is often mentioned as a possible manager for the Toffees. Ajax manager Erik ten Hag and another former manager in Roberto Martinez are all mentioned.
Everton don’t have a good history in re-appointing a manager, however, see Howard Kendall.
Marcel Brands, the director of football wants to take his time in choosing a new manager, according to the Daily Mail, Brands has been inundated with inquiries about the opening, and he doesn’t want to make a snap decision.
However, Brands isn’t the only one involved in the decision, there’s Kenwright and perhaps most importantly majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, after all it’s his money.
What do you think, is Maurizio Sarri a genuine contender or is it just more noise?