Everton reporter's notebook: David Moyes would find it hard to turn down a return after the wheels come off for Sean Dyche | Football News

After several days of assessing the direction of the club and the future of manager Sean Dyche, Everton's new owners 'The Friedkin Group' have decided that parting ways are in the club's best interests.

That is not a decision Americans wanted to make at this time. Their plan was to let Dyche see out the remainder of his contract, which was set to expire in June, and then embark on a thorough top-down review of the club.

There was recognition for Dyche's work during his two years in charge, sometimes traumatic, sometimes uncertain both on and off the pitch.

It's really fair to say that he had to deal with a situation that no other Everton manager has ever had to deal with – a relegation battle in the first five months, PSR points being deducted, severe financial constraints and a complete change of management and more.

However, despite all that, the results this season were not good enough. The results this season were not good enough, and the statistics indicate that something needs to be changed. This is what ultimately convinced the TFG that they had to act.

The prospect of being relegated in the first six months and starting life at their brand new stadium in the Championship next season was too much to pass up.

Of course, that remains a concern and their choice of replacement for Dyche must be a balance between the need to look to the future, but also the need to ensure the short-term security of their Premier League status.

Now attention will turn to who is next.

There are a number of candidates and I understand that the new owners would prefer to bring in someone who is not currently in a position at another club, for two reasons.

Firstly, they need to make an appointment quickly and do not want to have drawn-out negotiations with another club, and secondly, and probably more importantly, they see any compensation that needs to be paid as a waste of money, which should be directed towards the acquisition player.

There has been much talk of Jose Mourinho, but that is unlikely, and it is understood there has been no contact with the former TFG manager at Roma.

The more likely target is former Everton boss David Moyes, who is currently available following his departure from West Ham and someone Friedkin's group are interested in.

Obviously, he has a long association with the club and would hit the ground running in a place he knows well without too much description in the transition.

Moyes knows the club better than most, having spent 11 years there. Importantly, since then Seamus Coleman has remained at the club and if Moyes were to return that link could prove crucial.

Moyes recently said he didn't want to go to a club that was in the relegation battle, but Everton are different, there is a connection and I think he would find it very difficult to turn down an offer – if it comes.

If Moyes takes the job, I think he is the safest choice. Changing managers in this position is a big risk, and having someone who knows the club inside out and can get going is a big plus.

Everton need a club to be sure, I think he can do that.

Paulo Fonseca is also a name mentioned, he was the coach at Roma when the Friedkins took over Serie A.

He also has a history of wanting the Everton job, having been a serious contender before Marco Silva got the job and also a contender before Roberto Martinez was employed when Bill Kenwright owned the club.

However, whoever comes in, there is always a risk factor when you change managers with a club in Everton's position.

The owners will understand this from their dealings at Roma and will learn that minimal risk is the safest route, as demonstrated by Claudio Ranieri's return to the club.

Whoever gets the job will have a big challenge ahead of them. Make no mistake Everton are in the relegation battle but there are plenty of games left and things could look a lot better if the right man is brought in.

The Friedkins have a huge job ahead of them, both on and off the field.

The club has been in a state of paralysis for the last few years due to the protracted takeover drama, but it is also a club that has gone trophyless for nearly 30 years, the longest period without silverware in its long and illustrious history.

The decision to change managers is just the first of many big decisions that will have to be made in the coming months as TFG look to bring back the glory days of this once major competitor of the English game.

Fans want and expect better, managing Everton comes with expectations as high as any club in the Premier League, but for a few ask any former player or manager about the pressure of playing at a club that, before the start of the Premier League, was known as one of the 'big fours'.

Of course, it's been a long time since Everton were part of the elite and it never looked like they would add to their nine league titles in that time, but that expectation, misguided or not, never went away.

There is a generation of fans who have not experienced success in any form, left only with a sense of anaemia, and generations before them were left bewildered by their failure to keep up with, not only the experienced big clubs, but also the newcomers who overtook Everton as Premier League winners.

Whoever takes over from Dyche has a wonderful opportunity, with a fantastic new stadium, financial stability under new owners and the prospect of a fresh start in rebuilding English football's institution – but only after fighting to save it from an even more pressing challenge.