Amazing club be manager

to make the giant leap into the first-team squad. A list of alternative candidates has also been drawn up if it proves too early for Unsworth to be thrown into the dog-eat-dog world of the Premier League.

Thomas Tuchel, the former Borussia Dortmund boss, is without a club and is the No.1 external candidate. Yet the German has designs on the Bayern Munich job, which will be available at the end of the season, and he may choose to wait for them to approach him.

Everton would offer him a £6million-a-year salary, and also a transfer war chest, which means they are not out of the running for his services, but they are realistic enough to know they would be poor second favourites to Bayern.

Carlo Ancelotti comes into that dark-horse bracket too, with the Italian veteran suggesting he will wait until the end of the season before taking another job after being sacked by Bayern.

Moshiri is a fan but Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande reckon they have first dibs on the Italian.

The domestic candidates are strong but Everton know prising the likes of Burnley’s Sean Dyche, Huddersfield’s David Wagner and Watford’s Marco Silva away from their clubs would be very difficult mid-season.

That all points to Unsworth staying longer, as it gives the Blues board breathing space to make a more considered decision.

And the 44-year-old knows that gives him a chance to prove to Everton fans that he doesn’t have to be a glamour name to succeed in the Premier League. “There’s no timescale on it,” said Unsworth.

“We’ll see how we perform and see how results go. The aim is to take it week by week. It is a great opportunity. Who wouldn’t want this opportunity?

“I have to try to get some results quickly. If not, I’ll back whichever manager comes in.

“At the end of the day I always want what’s best for Everton.”