Everton are weighing up a move to make Ralf Rangnick their new manager.
Attention has turned to the RB Leipzig chief as the Blues’ search for Ronald Koeman’s replacement suffered another setback with their pursuit of Marco Silva.
Silva had emerged as the most likely candidate to succeed the Dutchman but Watford have rejected all approaches from the Goodison Park hierarchy.
A £10 million compensation package was offered to the Hornets in efforts to convince them to part with Silva, whose current contract has no buy-out clause.
The Portuguese coach, 40, had been interested in Everton’s approach but would not resign from his post at Vicarage Road to force through a potential switch.
Rangnick’s stock is incredibly high on the back of Leipzig’s success since the veteran coach was appointed their sporting director over five years ago.
The 59-year-old also guided them to Bundesliga promotion in a season-long spell as caretaker and boasts spells with other top-tier clubs in his homeland.
He was previously under consideration for the Goodison hot seat in 2013, prior to Roberto Martinez’s appointment in the wake of David Moyes’ departure.
It remains to be seen whether Everton’s approach would convince Rangnick to leave Leipzig, where he has overseen the Red Bull-owned club’s operations since 2012.
David Unsworth continues to take temporary charge as the hunt for a new permanent manager is concluded, with several coaches ruling themselves out.
Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal and ex-England coach Sam Allardyce have both dropped out of the running in the past week.