Everton have begun a search for a new manager in the expectation that the club will retain its Premier League status in Sunday's final round of fixtures.
Candidates have been sounded out as potential replacements for Sean Dyche, who was appointed at the end of January in order to keep the troubled Merseyside club in the division. Dyche has taken 18 points from his 17 matches leaving Everton two points ahead of Leicester City and Leeds United with a game remaining. A home win over Bournemouth this weekend will secure 17th place for a second consecutive season.
Record Sport understands that Everton have made initial contact with Botafogo coach Luis Castro. The Portuguese coach is in his second season of a two-year contract at the Rio de Janeiro club, who currently lead the Campeonato Brasileiro's Serie A after winning the Taca Rio.
Castro, 61, led a number of Portuguese clubs including FC Porto and Vitoria Guimaraes before winning silverware in Ukraine and Qatar with Shakhtar Donetsk and Al-Duhail. His contract at Botafogo – owned by Crystal Palace co-investor John Textor – runs until the end of 2023.
Everton majority owner Farhad Moshiri dismissed Frank Lampard in January before hiring Dyche on the recommendation of Goodison chairman Bill Kenwright. Moshiri interviewed Marcelo Bielsa and former FC Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid and Manchester United assistant coach Rui Faria for the role before employing Dyche.
Bielsa, who requested that he only take charge of Everton's first team at the end of the season during the January interview process, was appointed Uruguay national team coach earlier this month.
Faria, 47, has been working for Premier League TV as an expert analyst while preparing his own return to management after a successful spell leading Duhail to the Emir's Cup and the Qatar Stars League title.
The Portuguese won 25 major trophies across a 17-year spell as Jose Mourinho's principal assistant including two Champions League and three Premier League titles, and is said to have impressed Moshiri with his plans to keep Everton in the division and improve the quality of their football. Everton have reported five consecutive years of financial losses while costs on the club's new stadium have spiralled beyond £750million.
In need of additional investment, Moshiri recently granted MSP Sports Capital exclusivity on providing new capital. The American private equity group, chaired by Jahm Najafi, are expected to take board representation if the deal is concluded, potentially diminishing Kenwright's influence on club affairs.
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