Everton will begin their search for a new manager following the sacking of Roberto Martinez.
The Goodison Park board of directors took the decision to replace the former Wigan boss following a disastrous season that has seen the Blues languishing 12th in the Premier League table.
Click Liverpool takes a look at the candidates in the frame to replace him…
Frank de Boer
Recently departed from Ajax, the Dutchman has begun making a name for himself off the pitch as much as he once did on it.
During a six-year spell at the Amsterdam Arena, de Boer guided his former club to four Eredivisie titles but fell short in a fifth attempt this season, losing on the final day to De Graafschap.
Currently favourite to be named Martinez’s successor, and has expressed a willingness to take the reins at Goodison Park via his agent but also linked with a move to Inter Milan.
Ronald Koeman
Another Dutch footballing legend making waves on the managerial stage.
Koeman’s work in his two seasons at Southampton, building on the foundations left by a Tottenham-bound Mauricio Pochettino, has gained admirers from far and wide.
As countless Premier League big boys plunder and pillage St Mary’s prime assets, the 53-year-old has ensured that the Saints have remained competitive in the face of it all.
Whether he would consider Everton a progressive step in his career, however, remains to be seen.
Southampton’s current infrastructure is arguably as good, if not better, than what would be on offer on Merseyside while his track record away from St Mary’s leaves a lot to be desired.
Jose Mourinho
Sullen, stubborn and yet, at times, stupendous – Mourinho’s box office allure cannot be understated.
But after transforming Chelsea from Premier League champions to under-achievers in the space of just four months, is The Special One losing his touch?
Recent speculation has touted Mourinho for Everton in the event that he is overlooked for the top job at Manchester United this summer. It would put the cat among the pigeons but reviving England’s fourth-most successful club is likely to cost a pretty penny.
Big budgets and short-term success tend to go hand in hand with this biggest name of European football.
Manuel Pellegrini
Like Mourinho, Pellegrini is a manager accustomed to largesse in the transfer market.
He presided over the dawn of Real Madrid’s second Galacticos era in 2009 – albeit largely not of his own volition – as well winning the Premier League title during a first season in charge of the similarly free-spending Manchester City.
But despite the Chilean, 62, masterminding a Capital One Cup semi-final victory earlier this season, doubts will persist over Pellegrini’s suitability to the task ahead at Everton.
Mark Hughes
A former Everton player, albeit during the twilight of his career, Hughes’ reputation suffered in the wake of his ignominous depature from Queens Park Rangers in 2012.
Undeterred, however, the Stoke City manager has proved himself to be a progressive manager since succeeding Tony Pulis at the Britannia Stadium in 2013.
Bad though Martinez’s Everton were, the Potters’ performance at Goodison during the festive period was a benchmark of how he has evolved their route-one brand of football into a free-flowing, attacking style.
Whether he would placate a fan base desperate for a big name remains to be seen.
The Rest
Eddie Howe
The Bournemouth boss is a self-confessed boyhood Evertonian and has excelled on the South Coast. Similar to Martinez, Howe’s prospective appointment would be one with a view to Everton forging a dynasty.
Rafael Benitez
Recently failed to save Newcastle United from relegation. The Spaniard’s family have remained on Merseyside but Evertonians are unlikely to forgive his ‘small club’ jibes during his time in charge of Liverpool in the previous decade.
Martin O’Neill
The Republic of Ireland manager remains heavily touted for the role on the back of Euro 2016. Another with Premier League experience but faltered towards end of last stint, in charge of Sunderland.