FIRING KOEMAN TO FIREMAN SAM

Distraught Unsworth knew Everton were heading for a crisis... and that’s why Goodison board have gone back for Allardyce

THE depth of Everton’s fall from grace was encapsulated in a private moment on Sunday night, as David Unsworth began an inquest into his side’s latest humiliation. The man who lives for the club, having given more than 15 years of service, was close to tears as he wondered what had gone wrong and why against Southampton, and contemplated the full extent of the mess he had inherited.

There was, he had said earlier, a need to appoint quickly a permanent manager to stop Everton slipping into a full-blown crisis. Yet even he acknowledged that crisis is imminent, and will surely arrive if West Ham win at Goodison tomorrow. Which is why, after weeks of indecision, the Blues board reacted yesterday to resurrect stalled talks with Sam Allardyce over the prospect of succeeding Ronald Koeman, was who sacked 36 days ago.

After all, if you desperately need someone to put out Premier League fires, who better than the man who has done it before, more than once.

It is also why they made a separate, discreet approach to sound out Ireland boss Martin O’neill.

The word shambles has been used repeatedly to describe the search for a manager, and certainly talking to Allardyce once more – after he was ruled out barely a fortnight ago – would seem to confirm that.

The former England boss had discussions with principle shareholder Farhad Moshiri 20 days ago, then said no, claiming it was not for him as he simply did not feel wanted enough.

Fundamentally, that was because Moshiri had a Plan A to replace Koeman. He and chairman Bill Kenwright had faith in the ability of caretaker Unsworth (left) to win enough matches to give them breathing space to pursue a top-class, young candidate.

That plan backfired spectacularly, with efforts to lure Thomas Tuchel, David Wagner and Marco Silva failing. All the time, Everton kept falling, just one win in the seven matches since Koeman departed.

In those five weeks, results have moved the search from a coach to take them into the top four to one simply equipped to keep them in the top flight.

The board are painfully aware of the need to start winning – and quickly. The next five league games are against West Ham, Huddersfield, Newcastle, Swansea – all now rivals in the drop zone – and Liverpool, in a derby at Anfield that already has the look of destiny about it.

If the performances from the past three matches are repeated in the next three, then they are in full-blown crisis.

They cannot gamble on a foreign coach who does not know the Premier League and now need a manager like Allardyce, who has a track record of keeping sides up, as he did with Palace last season, as he did with Sunderland.

Talks were under way last night, but it is thought they will not be straightforward given Allardyce holds all the cards.

He walked away last time because he felt insulted Everton’s offer was for only a six month contract.

Everton know they have to act. Ideally, they would love someone in place for the visit of their former boss David Moyes and the Hammers tomorrow, but without question for the weekend and the showdown with Huddersfield.

And it is grit rather than glamour Moshiri now needs to dig Everton out of the relegation mire that has engulfed them.

CLOSING IN Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright season. That makes it virtually impossible for him to be in place for the Hammers visit, but Moshiri was hoping news of an impending appointment would lift the team. Moshiri first had talks with Allardyce...