Everton approach top Championship manager in search to replace Ronald Koeman

There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to Everton’s managerial search. According to The Guardian, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Nuno Espirito Santo has been approached by the Blues’ brass.

Nuno was approached by Everton and had an attractive proposal put before him. Conversations have been held in the last day and a final decision is expected swiftly but he is reluctant to leave Wolves, whom he believes he can lead to promotion from the Championship and where he is popular with supporters.

It may seem unpalatable and lacking ambition for Everton to be chasing after targets in the lower leagues, but there’s little doubt that Santo is a strong manager. Previously, the Portuguese was head of Valencia and FC Porto, where he racked up winning percentages over 50 at both stops.

Wolves currently are atop the Championship and look good bets for promotion, but Santo has been fortunate to receive one of the best squads in the division, in large part thanks to strong backing from super-agent Jorge Mendes.

Most often this season, Wolverhampton have lined up in a 3-4-3 (which likely turns into a 5-4-1 in possession). Without Seamus Coleman in particular, that formation is a poor fit for Everton’s current personnel, in large part due to the Toffees’ lack of speed at fo - well, everywhere, really.

With losses in both of his first two games in charge, it looks less and less likely that David Unsworth will receive the permanent position. Reports of an official approach for Santo are as far along as any managerial negotiations that we’ve heard so far, however, Nuno seems comfortable at Wolves, and with good reason.

Either way, Everton look no closer to making a decision, and Nuno Espirito Santo is just the latest name in a long list that includes the likes of Sean Dyche, Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, Paolo Fonseca, and Marco Silva.