Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, José Mourinho, could be in line for a sensational return to the Premier League, as rumours swirl that he is being considered as a “strong option” to replace Sean Dyche at Everton.
According to a report by Football Insider, Mourinho’s name has been floated as a potential successor, particularly after American businessman Dan Friedkin’s pending takeover of the club.
Friedkin has reportedly reached an agreement with Farhad Moshiri to purchase a 94% stake in the club, awaiting regulatory approval.
While Mourinho only took charge at Fenerbahce earlier this year, the prospect of him taking over at Goodison Park has been discussed among Everton’s higher-ups.
This comes as Dyche continues to face pressure despite the Toffees securing their first win of the season last weekend, a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
The former Burnley boss has been seen as a short-term fix for Everton since his appointment last season.
Despite his success in keeping Everton in the Premier League during a turbulent 2023/24 campaign, which included financial breaches and points deductions, Friedkin reportedly does not see Dyche as the man to lead the club into their new stadium, scheduled for completion next season.
With Dyche’s contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, it is widely expected he will not be offered an extension.
Mourinho, on the other hand, signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahce in June, but his start with the Turkish giants has been rocky.
A 3-2 aggregate loss to Lille saw him exit the Champions League in the third qualifying round, and a home defeat to Galatasaray in the Istanbul derby has added to the pressure on the Portuguese coach.
Despite these setbacks, Mourinho remains a respected figure in English football, and his possible return would certainly add drama to the Premier League.
His experience, particularly in difficult situations, could be appealing for Everton’s new ownership as they aim for stability in uncertain times.
Meanwhile, Mourinho will get a taste of English football again when his Fenerbahce side take on his former club, Manchester United, in the Europa League later this month.
In other news, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a surprise January move for Everton’s highly-rated centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
According to MailOnline, the 22-year-old, who featured in the recent win over Crystal Palace, has caught the attention of Liverpool’s hierarchy.
Everton rejected two bids from Manchester United for Branthwaite over the summer, with the final offer rumoured to be as high as £50 million.
With uncertainty looming over the club due to the pending takeover, Branthwaite is reportedly reluctant to sign a new deal, sparking interest from top clubs like Liverpool.
Should Branthwaite make the move across Merseyside, it would represent a significant coup for Liverpool and a bitter blow for Everton, particularly with the defender tipped to be a crucial part of the Toffees’ plans this season.