Everton reporter’s notebook: David Moyes would find it hard to turn down a return after the wheels fell off for Sean Dyche | Football news

After several days of assessing the direction of the club and the future of manager Sean Dyche, Everton’s new owners ‘The Friedkin Group’ have come to the decision that a split is in the club’s best interests.

This is not a decision Americans wanted to make at this time. Their plan was to let Dyche see out the remainder of his contract, which was due to expire in June, and then embark on a thorough top-down review of the club.

There was recognition of Dyche’s work during his two years in charge, sometimes traumatic, sometimes uncertain, both on and off the pitch.

Indeed, it is fair to say that he has had to deal with a situation that no Everton manager has faced – a relegation battle in the first five months, PSR points taken away, severe financial constraints and a complete change of management and more.

But despite all that, the results this season were not good enough. The performances this season have not been good enough and the statistics suggest that something needs to change. This is what finally convinced the TFG that they had to act.

The prospect of relegation within the first six months and starting life at their brand new stadium in the Championship next season was too much to pass up.

Of course, that remains a concern and their choice of replacement for Dyche must be a balance between the need to look to the future, but also the need to ensure the short-term security of their Premier League status.

Now attention will turn to who is next.

There are a number of candidates and I understand that the new owners would prefer to bring in someone who is not currently in a position at another club, for two reasons.

Firstly, they need to agree a date quickly and do not want lengthy negotiations with another club, and secondly, and probably more importantly, any compensation that would have to be paid would be seen as wasted money, which should be directed towards the acquisition player.

There has been a lot of talk about Jose Mourinho, but that is highly unlikely, and it is understood that there has been no contact with TFG’s former manager at Roma.

The more likely target is former Everton boss David Moyes, currently available after leaving West Ham and someone The Friedkin Group is interested in.

It is clear that he has a long association with the club and would go to a place he knows well without too much description in the transition.

Moyes knows the club better than most, having spent 11 years there. Importantly, since that time Seamus Coleman has remained at the club and if Moyes returns, that link could prove crucial.

Moyes recently said he didn’t want to go to a club that was in the relegation battle, but Everton are different, there is a connection and I think he would find it very difficult to turn down an offer – if it comes.

If Moyes takes the job, I think he is the safest choice. Changing the manager in this position is a big risk, having someone who knows the club inside out and can start from the field is a big plus.

Everton need a club to be safe, I think he can do that.

Paulo Fonseca is also a name mentioned, he was manager of Roma when the Friedkins took over Serie A.

He also has a history of wanting the Everton job, having been a serious contender before Marco Silva got the job and also a contender before Roberto Martinez was hired when Bill Kenwright owned the club.

However, whoever comes in, there is always a risk factor when changing managers with a club in a position like Everton’s.

The owners will have learned this from their dealings at Roma and will have learned that minimal risk is the safest route, as demonstrated by Claudio Ranieri’s return to the club.

Whoever gets the job will have a big challenge. Make no mistake, Everton are in a relegation battle, but there are plenty of games left and things could quickly look a lot better if the right man is brought in.

The Friedkins have a huge job ahead of them, both on and off the field.

The club has been in a state of paralysis for the past few years due to the protracted takeover drama, but it is also a club that has been without a trophy for almost 30 years, the longest period without silverware in its long and illustrious history.

The decision to change managers is just the first of many big decisions that will have to be made in the coming months as TFG look to restore the glory days of this once premier contender in the English game.

Fans want and expect better, managing Everton comes with expectations as high as any other club in the Premier League, but for some, ask any former player or manager about the pressure of playing at a club that, before the start of the Premier League, was known as one of the ‘big four’.

Of course, it’s been a while since Everton have been part of the elite and it never looked like they would add to their nine league titles during that time, but that expectation, misguided or not, never went away.

There is a generation of fans who have not experienced success in any form, left with only a sense of anemoia, and the generations before them were left baffled by their failure to keep up, not only with the experienced big clubs, but also with the newcomers who have overtaken Everton’s best in the Premier League.

Whoever takes over from Dyche has a wonderful opportunity, with a fantastic new stadium, financial stability under new owners and the prospect of a fresh start to rebuild English football’s institution – but only after struggling to save itself from a more pressing challenge.