Marco Silva sacked: Everton deliver update on search for next manager

Everton have sacked Marco Silva after an uninspiring start to the 2019/20 Premier League season.

Despite spending just north of £100m on new signings over the summer, the Toffees find themselves languishing precariously inside the relegation zone.

Why was Marco Silva sacked? Five things to know…

• Silva replaced Sam Allardyce as Everton manager in May 2018.
• During his maiden campaign at Goodison Park, Everton finished eighth in the Premier League.
• Silva strengthened his squad considerably over the summer but Everton have endured a tumultuous start to the campaign.
• The Toffees sit inside the relegation zone and have a minus 11 goal difference.
• Everton have won just four league games this season, drawing two and losing nine times.

Having guided Everton to eighth last season, the general mood on Merseyside was that Silva would be able to break the top-six ceiling and challenge for European football this term.

However, Everton’s form has dropped off a cliff in recent months and their league position is now perilous, with the club currently sitting in 18th place.

The Portuguese coach was inflicted a devastating blow at the weekend as Leicester City netted a last-gasp winner to sink his Everton side 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.

Defeat in the East Midlands meant that Everton had won just once in their previous five league games heading into the Merseyside derby.

And it was another night to forget for Evertonians as neighbours and fierce rivals Liverpool ran riot at Anfield, winning 5-2 in a Merseyside classic on Wednesday night.

🔵 | Everton Football Club can confirm that manager Marco Silva has left the Club. #EFC pic.twitter.com/R2JqAMBdu2

— Everton (@Everton) December 5, 2019

It was believed the Everton hierarchy were willing to give Silva time to turn things around, but with performances not improving and further points falling by the wayside, his 60-game tenure has now come to an end.

An statement on the club’s official website 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.”

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Who could replace Silva at Everton in the long term?

Many Evertonians were hoping Silva would bring a new dimension to the club, transforming them from “best of the rest” hopefuls to genuine top-four contenders.

Unfortunately, the former Watford boss was unable to appease Merseyside hopes and now owner Farhad Moshiri is on the hunt for his successor.

So, who could potentially replace Silva at Goodison Park? Here are a few of the more likely candidates:

• David Moyes: With Everton in unfamiliar territory, they may look to bring in a man all-but guaranteed to drag them out of the mire and secure safety. Moyes produced similar results during a brief stint at West Ham and knows the club inside out. The Scot is still revered by fans at Goodison Park and could be just the sort of sentimental appointment needed to rejuvenate spirits and get the fans back onside.
• Eddie Howe: With Silva appearing rather reckless with the Everton transfer kitty, the club’s board may consider a man who seems to know what he’s doing in the market. The Bournemouth coach has made some very shrewd signings and has forged a reputation for his ability to develop young players. The likes of  Moise Kean and Tom Davies could thrive under his tutelage.
• Rafa Benitez: Everton are lacking organisation and structure at the minute, two traits almost synonymous with the ex-Liverpool manager. Sure, this appointment may cause quite a stir on Merseyside but Everton need a manager who can come in and bring some semblance of balance back to the club. Benitez would bring that in abundance and is exactly the sort of big-name appointment needed to elevate Everton at this present moment.
• Mikel Arteta: This appointment would make sense on so many levels. The Spaniard may be inexperienced in terms of leading a football club, but he knows the Premier League exceptionally well, played for Everton between 2005 and 2011, and has now gained invaluable knowledge from tactical grandmaster Pep Guardiola.