Tony Pulis is a shock candidate to take over at Everton until the end of the season – and fans have taken to Twitter to deliver mixed verdicts to the Welshman landing the job.
Ronald Koeman was sacked more than a month ago and Toffees majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has identified Marco Silva as his top managerial target.
But the prolonged pursuit of Watford boss Silva has hit the buffers, with Goodison chiefs fearing he will not be available until the summer, and other possible appointments such as RB Leipzig’s Ralf Rangnick and former England boss Sam Allardyce have also failed to get off the ground.
The Times report that Pulis would be happy to step into the breach at Goodison Park, possibly as an interim manager until the end of the season.
The 59-year-old was sacked by West Brom last week but has a sound track record in the Premier League and has never overseen a relegation during his extensive managerial career.
Everton’s need for a new manager has intensified in the wake of Sunday’s 4-1 mauling at Southampton and last Thursday’s 5-1 thrashing by Atalanta.
Caretaker boss David Unsworth has lost five of his seven games in caretaker charge and described it as a “massive week” for the club, who are at home to West Ham on Wednesday and Huddersfield Town four days later.
A section Everton fans have taken to social media to react to the Pulis speculation, with some claiming he would be a fine choice, while others lambasted it as a last resort.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Tony Pulis linked with Everton job. My god, has it come to this?! It’s like a never ending nightmare i can’t wake up from. #efc @Everton @Tony_Scott11 @fizzer18 @philkecho @LivEchoEFC @prenno @GavinBuckland1 @GregOK
— Mike (@Ade4179) November 27, 2017
Ok enough is enough get Tony Pulis in to put some stick about and get this shambles sorted #EFC
— Peter Bottomley (@dixies60pete) November 27, 2017
No brainier – Pulis #EFC #Pulis#Everton https://t.co/Zrx1tnZzxu
— Peter Farrington (@bigsladefan) November 27, 2017
Stewart, #EFC fan, wants Tony Pulis to come as a short-term fix for #EFC ????
‘He would do a job for us. We desperately need some stability and first and foremost make sure we stay up this season. We’re going down at the moment.’
Thoughts, #EFC fans? pic.twitter.com/1Bc6ROLn1z
— BBC 606 (@bbc606) November 26, 2017
I take Pulis to end of season #efc #sos
— Danny Welch (@welchy888) November 26, 2017
I take Pulis to end of season #efc #sos
— FestiveSpleen (@FestiveSpleen) November 27, 2017