Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is on the verge of becoming the next manager of their city rivals Everton.
The experienced Spaniard has been itching to get back to the English Premier League and the chance to succeed Carlo Ancelotti appears to be too tempting to resist.
And that means former Celtic frontrunner Eddie Howe is once again on the outside looking in as he continues to search for his next club after leaving Bournemouth last summer.
Benitez left Dalian Pro in January and has been linked with a host of vacancies - including the Parkhead top job.
The 61-year-old - whose family lives in the north west of England - is set to be unveiled by the Toffees imminently.
And that's a blow for Everton fan Howe who walked with talks from Celtic before they appointed left-field candidate Ange Postecoglou.
The 43-year-old has been fleetingly linked with Tottenham and Crystal Palace both both clubs are moving in different directions.
Wolves was a non-starter for Howe as they had Bruno Lage on their radar when they parted ways with Nuno Espirito Santo.
Relegated Fulham are set to see Scott Parker head to Bournemouth and that appears the most high profile potential vacancy.
But one thing now appears certain - Howe will not be in the dugout for a Premier League team on the first day of the season.
