David Moyes set to meet with Everton officials on Friday as he nears an emotional return to the club after new owners The Friedkin Group sacked Sean Dyche just hours before FA Cup tie

David Moyes is being considered for an emotional return to Goodison Park after Everton dramatically sacked Sean Dyche ahead of their FA Cup tie with Peterborough.

There has been speculation about Dyche’s position all week, fueled by Everton investigating Graham Potter’s representatives on Monday around the time the new West Ham manager was interviewed by David Sullivan to succeed Julen Lopetegui.

The Friedkin Group, whose takeover of Farhad Moshiri was confirmed on December 19 last year, had mapped out the situation surrounding Dyche – accelerated by last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth – and concerns were mounting after a run of one win in eleven games.

It is understood Dyche was set to leave Everton on Wednesday evening, but he reported to Finch Farm for light training on Thursday morning. There was an uneasy atmosphere around the club and four hours before kick-off the decision was made to end his two-year reign.

Everton released a short four-sentence statement to confirm that Dyche and his assistants Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer had all left the club after two years and that the process of recruiting a new manager had begun.

Although Jose Mourinho – who worked at Roma under The Friedkin Group – was linked with the role, it quickly became clear that Moyes was the overwhelming favorite to fill the role he previously held from February 2002 to May 2013.

Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager and the club faces another relegation battle

Moyes previously held the role at Goodison Park between February 2002 and May 2013

Moyes has previously been in line to return to Everton and was interviewed by Moshiri in Munich in December 2019, but was usurped at the eleventh hour when the Iranian billionaire suddenly seized the opportunity to appoint Carlo Ancelotti.

Moyes’ appeal is obvious: he would be accepted by the supporters, is immediately available and his vast knowledge of the Premier League makes him the ideal candidate to steer the club away from relegation. Everton, who are moving to a new stadium next season, simply cannot go down.

More will become clear on Friday when Moyes meets with Everton officials, who are expected to include director of football Kevin Thelwell; he told the current crew at the Titanic Hotel on Thursday that Dyche had been sacked.

Everton CEO Colin Chong told other staff at the club, many of whom were shocked at the timing of the decision. The new executive chairman appointed by Friedkin Group, Marc Watts, was not in the country.

Dyche has come under increasing fire since the turn of the year, with Everton having lost their last two games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth without scoring a goal. He looks increasingly irritated and those around him fear that he is exhausted.

The 53-year-old had six months left on his contract and while it was unlikely to be extended, his work in maintaining Everton’s Premier League status over the past two seasons should have been recognized in the released declaration.

It read: ‘Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect. Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer have also left the club.

‘The process to appoint a new manager is ongoing and an update will be provided in due course. Under-18 Head Coach Leighton Baines and Club Captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.”