Jagielka - Mass exodus waiting to happen at Everton

This could be a summer filled with uncertainty the longer Everton takes to name the new manager. Club captain Phil Jagielka warns that up to double digits of players could leave Finch Farm over the offseason, resulting in a brand new team come next season.

"There is going to be a lot of change in the playing squad. I am not sure the squad is going to be big enough for the start of next season with the people who are leaving. There could be double figures leaving which is a lot.

"We are not talking about young lads as well. We are talking about established first-team players.

"We have got a few players who are coming out of contract, players who have had rumours throughout the season about moves and things, so not only is the staff going to change the squad is going to change massively as well.

"It is going to be a big change of personnel and that will play a big part in who will get the chance to manage the club.

"It is a case of them [Everton's hierarchy] deciding what sort of squad and formula they want to go for both on the pitch and off the pitch. That will determine what manager they want.

"I am sure coming back for pre-season there will be a lot of things different, but the main thing is Everton Football Club moves forward and keeps progressing. I am sure that will be the case."

He continued -

"It is easy to say it has been a season of underachievement but we have had two great cup runs.

"Our league form hasn't been as good as it is should have been, but things haven't been as bad as people have made out. Football is a results business and unfortunately for us in the league it is not what we have wanted.

"I am not really prepared to answer the question of what went wrong. Obviously the results were the results.

"In the end that is what cost the manager the job. It is as simple as that. There were things put on TV, the last 10 results, and unfortunately that was the state of play.

"Things materialised because of the results and it was very hard for the manager to stay in charge. The people who make the decisions decided that was the case."

Quick speculation shows around ten players who could be moving on. Senior players Leon Osman, Tony Hibbert, Steven Pienaar and Darron Gibson all out of contract, while Tim Howard has left for the MLS.

Stars John Stones and Romelu Lukaku have also been linked with big money transfers. Winter signing Oumar Niasse has had a rocky start while Mo Besic might also be leaving. Aiden McGeady finished the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and his future is uncertain.