Everton’s search for a new manager has hit a snag as leading candidate Marcelo Bielsa has reservations about taking over.
The news comes amid embattled Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri reportedly putting the club up for sale, with an asking price of $AUD876 million.
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Bielsa was installed as the bookies’ favourite to take over from Frank Lampard after the Chelsea legend was sacked with the club lingering in the relegation zone.
However, The Telegraph reports the Argentinian is not convinced the move is the right move to make at this time in his career.
Bielsa is Moshiri’s top target to fill the managerial vacancy at Goodison Park, although The Telegraph claims former Southampton boss Ralph Hassenhuttl and West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan are also admired.
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Hassenhuttl was in the mix to take over after Rafa Benitez was sacked as Everton manager last season, but given he was with the Saints at the time, the Toffees were reluctant to pay a compensation fee.
Everton’s next Premier League clash is as tough as it gets, with a match against league-leaders Arsenal on February 4 with a Merseyside Derby a week later.
Bielsa’s hesitancy comes as The Guardian claims Moshiri has put up the club for sale.
The British-Iranian billionaire had been seeking outside investment for some time and is open to a minority or majority sale.
Everton fans have been vocal in their disdain for Moshiri’s ownership and have called on him to sell the club and for the board of directors to leave their posts.
The decision to sell the club takes place with Everton in a worrying financial position, as the club is in the process of building a new $962 million stadium amid their last three accounts showing a combined loss of $650 million.