Everton have seen an approach for Watford manager Marco Silva rejected.
Silva emerged as a potential successor to Ronald Koeman in the Blues’ hot seat on the back of a highly impressive start to his Vicarage Road tenure.
But the Hornets turned down an approach from representatives of Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri on Monday for the Portuguese coach.
Watford are not prepared to allow Silva to leave mid-season and are unlikely to face any resistance despite the 40-year-old’s willingness to hear Everton’s offer.
The Goodison Park hierarchy had hoped to install Koeman’s permanent replacement in time for their first game after the international weekend.
As a result of the ongoing search, under-23 coach David Unsworth will continue in his role as caretaker manager for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
Silva is understood to be Everton’s preferred candidate amid doubts over the attainability of both Sam Allardyce and Burnley boss Sean Dyche.
Allardyce previously denied holding talks with Moshiri about taking the reins at Goodison on a short-term basis until the end of the current campaign.
The Toffees risk heading into their Europa League dead rubber with Atalanta no closer to finding Koeman’s successor, a full month since parting with him.