Ray Parlour has backed Wayne Rooney to succeed Rafael Benitez if the Everton boss is dismissed following their dreadful run of form.
Benitez is coming under increasing after winning just one of his last 10 games, leaving the club 14th in the Premier League table ahead of a daunting trip to Chelsea on Thursday.
Toffees fans are also yet to fully accept the Spaniard due to his past with local rivals Liverpool.
Former Blues striker Rooney is reportedly in the Everton hierarchy's thoughts should they decide to dismiss Benitez.
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The 36-year-old is currently managing Championship strugglers Derby who are bereft with financial issues.
However, despite suffering points deductions which have anchored the club to the bottom of the table, they have only lost seven of their 22 league games this season.
Parlour thinks ‘it wouldn’t be a bad fit’ Rooney was to return to Goodison Park.
“Rooney has done the best he can with the resources he’s got,” Parlour told talkSPORT .
“He’s got Everton in his heart, that’s where he started his career. So that wouldn’t be a bad fit for me.
“I think that would probably work.”
Parlour also suggested that Toffees assistant boss and club legend Duncan Ferguson may covet the manager's position should Benitez leave the club.
He added: “Duncan is certainly a big influence on that team,
“When he had his spell as the caretaker manager, he did really well. I think most Everton fans would say; ‘well, we’d rather have Duncan back as a manager, not as a number two’,”
“Whether Duncan would want that role, I don’t know.”
