Report: Everton talking to Bielsa, Dyche in final stage of manager search

Everton have narrowed down their search for a new manager to two candidates, Marcelo Bielsa and Sean Dyche, according to The Times' Paul Joyce and Tom Roddy.

Everton want to announce their appointment this weekend, per Joyce and Roddy.

Bielsa is flying to London for Friday's final round of talks.

Dyche reportedly views the position as a good opportunity to return to the dugout after he was sacked by Burnley in April 2022. The 51-year-old also worked with defender James Tarkowski and winger Dwight McNeil at the Clarets; both players moved to Goodison Park last summer.

Bielsa, 67, is the preferred choice of Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and is well-regarded at Leeds United for returning to the Premier League while playing an attractive brand of football. He's been out of work since February 2022.

Bielsa needs convincing to take the job due to his concerns with the makeup of the squad, The Daily Telegraph's Matt Law reports. Additionally, the meticulous tactician has never taken a job midway through a European season.

Everton are 19th in the Premier League table, two points adrift of safety in a tightly contested relegation battle. In addition to their on-pitch failings, further instability is evident in the fractured relationship between the club's owners and its fans, and the huge costs of moving from Goodison Park to Bramley Moore Dock in time for the 2024-25 season. The latter concern has prompted Moshiri to seek outside investment.

There's the added distraction of Anthony Gordon missing training while Newcastle United try to clinch a £35-million deal for the Everton academy product, according to The Guardian's Andy Hunter. The fee would represent a significant drop in valuation after the Toffees reportedly shunned any offers below £60 million for the 21-year-old during the summer transfer window.

Frank Lampard was sacked as Everton manager Monday following a dismal run of eight defeats and two draws over the team's last 10 competitive outings. The Toffees aren't involved in this weekend's FA Cup fourth-round fixtures, meaning their next two matches are Premier League meetings with Arsenal (Feb. 4) and Liverpool (Feb. 13).