Jose Mourinho to Everton: Ex-Chelsea boss 'a strong option' to replace Sean Dyche

Jose Mourinho has emerged as potential candidate to replace Sean Dyche as Everton manager, according to a report.

The Toffees secured their first Premier League win of the season last weekend, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 on home soil, but speculation continues to swirl surrounding Dyche's future.

It has widely been reported that Everton may consider a change of manager if the Friedkin Group - led by Dan Friedkin - complete their proposed takeover of the club.

Everton's current owner Farhad Moshiri has been looking to sell his majority 94.1% stake in the club for some time, with attempts from 777 Partners to purchase the club falling through earlier this year.

American businessman Friedkin and his consortium, who also own Serie A giants Roma, have since come forward and agreed a deal to buy Everton, subject to regulatory approval, including from the Premier League, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Dyche out, Mourinho in at Everton?

Should their takeover be confirmed, which could happen at the end of this year, the managerial position is set to be one of the primary roles examined in their opening review of the club.

A sensational swoop for former Toffees manager David Moyes, who is currently out of work after leaving West Ham United in the summer, had been mooted, while Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira has also been linked with the Goodison Park hotseat.

Now, Football Insider reports that former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur boss Mourinho could make a surprise return to the Premier League, as he has been identified as 'a strong option' to succeed Dyche, should a managerial change be made.

The report adds that 59-year-old Friedkin has informed his inner circle that he does not regard Dyche - who will see his contract expire in June 2025 - as a viable long-term manager of the Toffees.

Friedkin is believed to be keen to appoint a high-profile name as manager before Everton move into their new 52,888-seater stadium at Liverpool's Bramley-Moore Dock next year.

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Would Mourinho swap Fenerbahce for Everton?

Friedkin has a history with Mourinho as he appointed the Portuguese coach at Roma in 2021 following his turbulent 15-month spell in charge of Tottenham.

Mourinho won 68 of his 138 games as Roma boss and successfully steered the club to Europa Conference League glory in 2021-22, but he was sacked in January after two-and-a-half years in charge following a poor run of form.

The 61-year-old is currently in charge of Turkish giants Fenerbahce where he has won eight, drawn three and lost two of his opening 13 games across all competitions, with the Turkish club sitting second in the Super Lig table.

Mourinho, a two-time Champions League winner and three-time Premier League champion, is under contract at Fenerbahce until the summer of 2026 and it remains to be seen whether he would be interested in a return to England with Everton, who once attracted current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to Merseyside in 2019.

Everton currently sit 16th in the Premier League table with four points from their opening six games and they will face Newcastle United on home soil in their next match on Saturday.