5 Potential Candidates to Replace Sam Allardyce

Just as we’d all hoped (and maybe prayed, too), Sam Allardyce has left his post as Everton manager. The club rightly recognized the need to move in a completely different direction, and so another summer of change begins.

With the transfer window opening tomorrow and World Cup shortening the preseason for some of the Blues’ key players, appointing a new manager with the quickness will be of utmost important. Who could it be?

Odds from SkyBet

Marco Silva - 2/5

The man of the hour. Silva is the overwhelming favorite to take over at Goodison Park, just as he was in the fall. Unfortunately, Watford have their knickers in a twist again, which could complicate matters, but Farhad Moshiri may be undeterred.

Silva would bring a refreshing style of football back to Everton, and has shown a strong capacity for managing in the Premier League. If the Blues are looking for their own Mauricio Pochettino, Silva could be it.

David Moyes - 3/1

The retread. Moyes did a fine job at West Ham, and was promptly rewarded with a pink slip. While that seems unfair to me given what Moyes had to work with at the London Stadium, it’s good to see Everton’s old manager find a measure of success again.

That said, any mention of Moyes for this Everton is purely sentimental. The club are looking to move forward, and Moyes would be an uninspired choice. Don’t expect this to gain any traction.

Paulo Fonseca - 7/1

The people’s choice. It seemed for a brief period that Fonseca would be replacing Moyes at West Ham. That appears to no longer be the case.

Fonseca has guided Shakhtar Donetsk to immense success in recent years, including a run to the Champions League knockout stage this season. He’s young, he’s innovative, and already immensely popular on Everton Twitter. Inexperience could be an issue, but I doubt you’ll hear many complaints if Moshiri rings him up.

Arsene Wenger - 20/1

The veteran. Wenger, obviously, is as experienced as they come, and plays an exciting brand of football. He would step into the Goodison dugout and provide the club with an instant boost to their big-time credentials.

Thing is, though, is it’s not immediately evident that the Frenchman would be interested in the job, and his age (68) would logically prevent him from being the long-term appointment that we all want to see.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Eddie Howe - 25/1

The wild card. Howe deserves credit for playing an appealing style at a small club, and for his work in leading Bournemouth to the Premier League then staying there. He’s young, too, and would likely be a popular appointment among some supporters. Is a job Everton’s size too much, too soon, though? Probably.

There will be other names in the coming days, without a doubt. Mikel Arteta, Louis van Gaal, etc., but I doubt there will be any true surprises. One thing we know: Moshiri and Kenwright must get this one right.