Stand-in boss David Unsworth took the first steps towards picking up the pieces of Everton’s season — and admitted he wants the job long term.
Unsworth revealed he has held detailed talks with chairman Bill Kenwright after being asked to take charge initially for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup last-16 visit to Chelsea.
He did not accept immediately, in part because he wants certain assurances about his prospects.
“I want to manage Everton,” said the former Goodison defender on Tuesday. “It’s an amazing club for anyone to become manager of and I think the time has come to say that. Why make a secret of it?
“I spent the afternoon with the chairman yesterday and I asked him how long he wanted me to take the job for. I would like a run at it. But results will dictate how long I get. I’m OK with that.”
Principal shareholder Farhad Moshiri and Kenwright sacked Ronald Koeman after witnessing the reaction of the Everton crowd to Sunday’s thrashing by Arsenal at Goodison.
Fans simply turned their back on the manager and his team and left the ground.
Unsworth, who has had success with the club’s Under-23s, bleeds Everton after 11 years as a player and another four on the coaching staff.
Yet Kenwright is aware the former Blues defender is probably too low-profile for a high-profile job.
That is why the search for a long-term replacement for the axed Koeman will continue, even though Unsworth has been handed the caretaker role for at least four matches leading up to the next international break.
Yet there is a desire within the club to give their former player a chance given the promise he has shown in guiding the U23s to the league title last season, and grooming talent to make the giant leap into the first-team squad.
A list of alternative candidates has also been drawn up if it proves too early for Unsworth to be thrown into the dog-eat-dog world of the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel, the former Borussia Dortmund boss, is without a club and is the No.1 external candidate.
Yet the German has designs on the Bayern Munich job, which will be available at the end of the season, and he may choose to wait for them to approach him.
Everton would offer him a £6million-a-year salary, and also a transfer war chest, which means they are not out of the running for his services, but they are realistic enough to know they would be poor second favourites to Bayern.
Carlo Ancelotti comes into that dark-horse bracket too, with the Italian veteran suggesting he will wait until the end of the season before taking another job after being sacked by Bayern.
Moshiri is a fan, but Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande reckon they have first dibs on the Italian.
The domestic candidates are strong but Everton know prising the likes of Burnley’s Sean Dyche, David Wagner of Huddersfield and Watford’s Marco Silva away from their clubs would be very difficult mid-season.
That all points to Unsworth staying longer, as it gives the Blues board breathing space to make a more considered decision.
And the 44-year-old knows that gives him a chance to prove to Everton fans that he doesn’t have to be a glamour name to succeed in the Premier League.
“There’s no timescale on it,” said Unsworth. “We’ll see how we perform and see how results go. The aim is to take it week by week. It is a great opportunity. Who wouldn’t want this opportunity?
“I have to try to get some results quickly. If not, I’ll back whichever manager comes in.
“At the end of the day I always want what’s best for Everton.”
If he does take the role beyond the international break into the rest of the season, then Unsworth revealed that one of his biggest early priorities will be to try to persuade Ross Barkley to sign a new contract.
The England midfielder had fallen out with Koeman and was told he has not future at Goodison.
But with six months remaining on his deal, Unsworth explained he will try to speak to Barkley to get him to stay now the managerial position has changed.
“I spoke to Ross, saw him in the gym, he is coming along nicely. My opinion is I would love him to stay, he's a top talent,” he said. “He could be one of the all time greats here, and I would love him to be persuaded by myself, by the chairman and Farhad to stay. I don't think we should be losing talent like that.
“We love him and I know he loves Everton as well, so I hope he can stay.”