Everton have appointed Duncan Ferguson as caretaker for a second time.
Ferguson previously took charge of first-team affairs at Goodison Park in late 2019, between the respective tenures of Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti.
During that time the former striker produced a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, with an opening 3-1 win over Chelsea the undoubted highlight.
But Rafael Benitez’s sacking after just 200 days at the helm last weekend has seen Ferguson step into the spotlight for another spell as the Blues’ manager.
John Ebbrell, Head of Academy Coaching, and goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly will again link up with the 50-year-old as part of his interim backroom setup.
Also joining Ferguson in the dugout will be Leighton Baines, operating as the club’s professional development coach since his retirement in July 2020.
Everton confirmed that the ex-Scotland international will take charge for several of their upcoming games, starting with Saturday’s visit of Aston Villa.
Before Ferguson took charge of training on Tuesday, chairman Bill Kenwright is understood to visited the club’s Finch Farm base and spoken with him.
Several candidates are currently under consideration to fill the permanent manager’s position despite suffering setbacks in their initial approaches.
On Monday, the Royal Belgian Football Association swiftly rebuffed Everton’s plans to offer Roberto Martinez a surprise return in a job share proposal.
Jose Mourinho, a long-term target of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, is also understood to have informed the club that he is happy managing Roma.
Derby County’s Wayne Rooney is expected to be sounded out by his boyhood heroes while Frank Lampard is also in contention for the vacant position.