José Mourinho has emerged as a surprise contender to replace Sean Dyche as manager of Everton. José Mourinho has emerged as a surprise contender to replace Sean Dyche as manager of Everton. Everton's ownership changed hands in late 2024, with The Friedkin Group (TFG) taking over after acquiring a 94% stake from majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri in September. The deal received approval from the Premier League's independent oversight board on December 18th. Since then, the task of reviving the struggling Merseyside club has begun, and according to British media, replacing manager Sean Dyche is a priority.
Dyche, who has been in charge for nearly two years, is reportedly resigned to the fact that his time at Everton is coming to an end. This follows fan dissatisfaction with his style of play and a significant decline in results – only three wins in 19 matches, leaving the team just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. Dyche recently commented on rumors of TFG considering replacements: “It should be! If you are a business of this scale and a club like this, succession planning should be part of it. I have no problem with that whatsoever. I think it should happen at every football club.”
The Sun recently reported the surprising news that Mourinho is a leading candidate for the role, alongside former Toffees manager David Moyes. Mourinho's appointment would be one of the most unexpected developments of early 2025. TFG's owner, billionaire Dan Friedkin, also owns AS Roma and was the individual who dismissed Mourinho a year prior via email. The Portuguese manager – who has also been dismissed from Chelsea twice, as well as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan – previously described his dismissal by Friedkin as “the most painful.”
Mourinho is currently managing Fenerbahce in Turkey, but he is reportedly experiencing significant disagreements with football officials in the country regarding the administration of the Super Lig. Therefore, despite his displeasure with the manner of his previous dismissal by Friedkin, the 61-year-old manager remains interested in another opportunity in the Premier League.
