Italian connection grows as surprise names emerge for Everton post

Andrea.Pirlo, Gian Piero Gasperini.2021.TEAMtalk1

Everton are reportedly in talks with sacked Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo about replacing Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park while Claudio Ranieri has also been linked.

The Toffees are looking for a new manager after Ancelotti opted to re-join Spanish giants Real Madrid. The rumour mill began to turn and many names have been linked to the Merseyside post. It was thought that chairman Bill Kenwright favours a move to bring back West Ham United boss David Moyes.

He enjoyed a successful 11-year stint in the Goodison dugout before leaving for Manchester United. Ex-Wolves chief Nuno Espirito Santo is another man thought to be in the frame.

It was reported that talks were under way with the Portuguese, although that particular trail seems to have gone cold. Rafael Benitez and even Rangers manager Steven Gerrard were mentioned as possibilities.

But Pirlo is now making the headlines. Calciomercato.com report that Everton are ‘in talks’ with the man who won 116 Italy caps during a stellar playing career.

A decision is expected in the new few days and the 41-year-old is said to be keen on the idea. He does have other options, with Sassuolo and Verona also said to be keen to acquire his knowledge.

Pirlo spent just one season in charge of Juve, after replacing Mauricio Sarri. He was given little time to adjust to the position, having only just been appointed the club’s Under-23 coach.

He managed a 65 per cent win-rate but it was not enough as the Old Lady surrendered their crown to Inter Milan. And the Turin outfit only just sneaked into the top four, pipping Napoli to the final Champions League spot by a single point.

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The writing was always on the wall for Pirlo, with Massimiliano Allegri replacing him at Juve.

Ranieri an unlikely rival to Pirlo

While Pirlo seems a realistic candidate to rake over at Everton, the link to Ranieri seems less so. The veteran will always be remembered for sensationally guiding Leicester to the Premier League title in 2015-16.

Claudio.Ranieri.Sampdiria.2021.TEAMtalk1

But he was soon jettisoned from the King Power Stadium and has managed four clubs since then. The last was Sampdoria and he opted to leave the Genoa-based outfit after only managing a ninth-place finish last term.

He will turn 70 in October and a man 30 nearly 30 years his junior seems to have more appeal.

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