Everton join the race for Nuno Espirito Santo as they begin talks with the former Wolves boss amid interest from Crystal Palace with the Toffees identifying him as early as LAST WEEK after fears Carlo Ancelotti could leave
- Everton are in talks with Nuno Espirito Santo over their vacant manager role
- Carlo Ancelotti dramatically quit on Tuesday to take up the reins at Real Madrid
- Santo is a free agent after leaving Wolves but is also speaking to Crystal Palace
Everton have started negotiations with Nuno Espirito Santo over their vacant managerial hotseat as they look to find a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian walked out on the club in dramatic fashion on Tuesday after former club Real Madrid came calling following the resignation of Zinedine Zidane, saying he had been settled at Goodison Park before receiving an ‘unexpected opportunity’.
The Toffees board have been left stunned by his departure but Sportsmail understands there was a feeling as early as last week that Ancelotti could end up at the Bernabeu and had identified former Wolves boss Espirito Santo as a replacement.
Everton have kicked off talks with Nuno Espirito Santo as they look to replace Carlo Ancelotti
The Italian walked out on the club after just 18 months to take the reins at Real Madrid
The 47-year-old is currently in Portugal but his representatives are speaking to Everton chiefs about taking the role in the dugout. He has already held talks with Crystal Palace over the possibility of succeeding Roy Hodgson.
The Portuguese coach emerged as the favourite to take over at Selhurst Park following three days of negotiations – but the lure of the Everton job becoming vacant could sway him.
However, a concern from Espirito Santo’s end could be Everton’s ability to manouevre in the transfer market, with fears over Financial Fair Play rules.
Nuno waved goodbye to Wolves at the end of the season following four years at the club, in what was a shock departure following a rift with the club’s owners over transfers.
Espirito Santo – who is currently in Portugal – has also held talks to take over at Crystal Palace
Espirito Santo enjoyed a hugely successful four-year spell at Molineux – transforming them from an under-performing mid table side in the Championship to qualification for the Europa League.
He is not the only candidate for the job. A sensational return for David Moyes has been mooted, and – while Everton have considered the West Ham boss, the Scot is happy at the London Stadium and is satisfied with the progress the club are making having secured Europa League football next season.
Moyes had been a candidate for the Toffees in 2019 after the sacking of Marco Silva – with the former Manchester United boss holding talks with owner Farhad Moshiri in Monaco before they opted to appoint Ancelotti.
