Everton's owners are reviewing the work of manager Sean Dyche and considering what steps to take following the club's loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, Sky Sports News understands.
New owners, the Friedkin Group, have been making an assessment since the final whistle at the weekend, which left Everton with just one win from their last 11 games and one point above the relegation zone in 16th place.
It has been 18 days since the Friedkin Group took over the club, and while their initial plan was to stabilize the club, the results have forced them to review the current system.
Everton have scored the second-fewest goals in the Premier League this season, with they coming up short against Bournemouth in the 11th game of the season in which they failed to score, with the Toffees unable to even register a shot on target at the Vitality Stadium.
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The most prominent goals of the Bournemouth and Everton match in the English Premier League
Analysis: The results were not good enough for Dietsch
Alan Myers from Sky Sports News:
The long, snow-packed drive home from the south coast for bewildered Everton fans on Saturday evening was just another kick in the gut for the ever-suffering fan base as Sean Dyche's side continue to inch closer to the relegation zone.
Daiichi's comments after the match left fans even more worried about the future with the former Burnley boss noting that his side's recent 12-game win “doesn't look bad on paper, if only a few wins”.
Of course the Blues coach was referring to the number of draws in that round and perhaps if some of them had turned into victories. But at the moment Everton fans don't want to hear that, they want results and they are fed up with it.
However, more importantly, the new owners, the Friedkin Group, don't want to hear it. They took over the club just before Christmas and did not want to deal with this situation so quickly during their tenure. They hoped to achieve some stability, and move up the standings to relative safety, which would then allow for a more measured assessment at the end of the season.
My understanding is that an assessment is now being made and has been ongoing since the final whistle at the Vitality Stadium, to look at the manager's performance, and what the next steps need to be taken.
TFG showed in Roma that they won't shy away from making big decisions, and how they handle this situation will give a clear signal to Everton fans about how they mean to continue.
The club has been in a state of paralysis over the last couple of years due to the whole takeover saga, and although a lot of good work has been done behind the scenes, there is still a huge amount of work still to be done to begin the process of bringing in that kind of money.
Daiichi himself has had a lot to deal with, more so than most Premier League managers, with points deductions, huge financial constraints, a change of board and many other factors, and he has faced every one of these issues.
However, he knows that results are what ultimately dictate whether you sink or swim as a manager, and frankly the results were not good enough. Everton are facing a relegation battle once again, and with them heading to a new stadium next season, going to the Championship is not an option for the new owners.
So what is likely to happen if TFG decides to change manager? I think they will need someone who is ready and waiting to take on the job. They don't have time to negotiate, so I see a short-term option for the FA Cup tie against Peterborough on Thursday, with a more permanent solution ready to face Aston Villa at Goodison Park in their next Premier League fixture.
Former manager David Moyes He said last week that he would not be interested in going to a club in a relegation battle, so this seems like a no-brainer.
Graham Potter It is a name that has been overlooked for some time, it is strongly associated with the job and would fit the criteria. It certainly wouldn't surprise me if he was the front runner, if Friedkin's group pushed the button on Daichi.
Whatever happens, the next few days are likely to be eventful at a club that has seen more action than an 18-30 holiday over the past few years!
Unfortunate Everton stats
Everton have the worst attacking statistics in the division
Everton's biggest problem this season is scoring goals. They have the second-lowest total of goals scored in the Premier League this season, with just 15 more goals than bottom side Southampton.
Their shot conversion rate is less than seven percent – but the problem isn't just finishing. They also rank low for the number of shots they take and the quality of chances they create.
Everton's attacking metrics have been particularly poor since the start of November
These issues have been particularly evident over the past two months – since the start of November, Everton have scored just once from open play. They have also failed to score in eight of their ten Premier League matches in that time.
In total, they have failed to score in 11 of their 19 matches this season, the worst record in the division.
Their defeat to Bournemouth was the second time this season they failed to even have a shot on target – again, the worst record in the Premier League.
Everton are in a similar position in terms of points and league position when Sean Dyche's predecessors Frank Lampard and Rafael Benitez were sacked.
Worryingly for Dyche, Everton's points return so far this season – with just three wins from 19 games – is comparable to the starts made by predecessors Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, who continued their run. He will be sacked at around this point in the campaign.