David Unsworth has been installed as the early favourite to replace Ronald Koeman as Everton manager.

Koeman was sacked this afternoon following a torrid start to the season for the big-spending Toffees, with Sunday's 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Arsenal leaving them languishing in the relegation zone.

Unsworth is currently the manager of Everton's Under-23 team and has previously overseen one match in charge of the senior side when the Toffees beat Norwich City 3-0 on the final day of the 2015-16 campaign following the sacking of Roberto Martinez.

Former Everton boss David Moyes is also thought to be in the running having previously been in charge at Goodison Park from 2002 to 2013 before an ill-fated spell at Manchester United.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche, former England manager Sam Allardyce and recently-sacked Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti have also been linked with the vacant post at this early stage.

Wales manager Chris Coleman and Bournemouth's Eddie Howe are slight outsiders for the role, alongside former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel.