Everton remain intent on appointing a new manager as soon as possible with the hope that Marco Silva's replacement could be secured by next week.
Caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson will remain in charge for the Blues' trip to Old Trafford on Sunday and is likely to still be in the dugout for the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Leicester City at Goodison on Wednesday night.
But Everton, who have intensified their search for a new boss this week, could have the new man in place for the home game against Arsenal on December 21.
The possibility of making a move for Carlo Ancelotti has been discussed by the club's hierarchy but there have been other candidates – as many as five on the club's shortlist – who have also been weighed up.
Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri will have the final say on the new boss and is deliberating over the appointment of a fourth permanent manager since he arrived at Goodison.
Director of football Marcel Brands is central to the club's decision-making process, along with chairman Bill Kenwright, and though the Goodison power-brokers are keen on as swift a resolution as possible, Moshiri is determined to avoid making a rushed call.
It is believed that Everton are open to the idea of appointing a manager who does not have any Premier League experience and David Moyes' hopes of a Goodison return also appear to be fading.
