Jose Mourinho has installed himself as the betting favorite to take over at Everton should they decide to sack Sean Dyche, but there are a few reasons why the prospect of the Portuguese moving to Merseyside doesn’t seem to be starting.
Dyche is under pressure after a dismal run has seen the Toffees drop to 16th in the Premier League, one point off the relegation places.
Everton have won just one of their last 10 league games – a resounding 4-0 win over Wolves on December 4. But in her other nine matches all season, she recorded five draws and four defeats, conceding just one goal in the process.
It’s a series that new owners, the Friedkin Group, are unlikely to see favorably, particularly as Premier League survival is more important than ever this season with the club moving to their new Bramley Dock stadium in 2025-26.
What do the bookies say?
Mourinho is 4/5 favorite with BetVictor, while Unibet, LiveScoreBet and BetMGM all have him at 3/4.
BetMGM UK director Sam Behar said: “Is the Premier League ready for more from Jose Mourinho? Well, our bets suggest ‘The Special One’ could be set for another spell in England with Everton.
“He is 3/4 to replace the under-pressure Sean Dyche at Goodison Park ahead of former Toffees boss David Moyes.
“There are many other names but Mourinho is the clear favorite in what would be a real coup for the Merseyside club.”
BetMGM have Moyes at 4/1, David Wagner at 9/1 and Steve Cooper and Russell Martin priced at 14s.
Could it happen?
The last one @EmiratesFACup Third round tie at Goodison Park. COYB!⏳ pic.twitter.com/d0kUSdHtMn
— Everton (@Everton) January 9, 2025
Well, first of all, Dietz is still in place, although concern is growing from a fan base that has been remarkably patient despite years without football inspiration.
Everton face Peterborough United in the third round of the FA Cup tonight. assuming the game gets the green light. A defeat is unlikely, but the next two Premier League games, home to Aston Villa and Tottenham, could decide Dyche’s fate.
Mourinho took charge of Turkish side Fenerbahce in June and has done a good job. Fenerbahçe are second in the Super Lig but are unlikely to win the title due to the superiority of rivals Galatasaray, who are eight points adrift at the top.
The obstacles
It is not certain that Mourinho would want to swap Istanbul for Merseyside. Fenerbahce are a club with huge followings and almost certainly guaranteed European football every season.
Barring an improbable FA Cup run culminating in success at Wembley, Everton won’t be playing continental football any time soon.
Indeed, more years of toil and struggle look more likely and Mourinho has previously spoken of his lack of appetite for a relegation battle.
He told Sky Sports in October: “Honestly, that has to be the hardest thing, much harder than playing for titles. It’s very, very difficult emotionally because it’s something that changes lives. You know, stay in the Premier League or get relegated, it changes lives, it changes a lot of things. Brave guys who do.”
Mourinho also has a precedent with the Friedkin Group.
As Roma’s owners, they sacked the two-time Champions League winner after they felt he was not getting value for money from an expensively assembled squad.
At the time of his sacking last January, the Giallorossi were ninth in Serie A and struggling to reach the Champions League places.
Mourinho then claimed he had been “sent off by someone who doesn’t understand football”, referring to Dan Friedkin.
It seems unlikely that he will go down that road again.
