Frank Lampard was sacked as Everton manager on Monday after less than a year in charge at the struggling Premier League club.
The Toffees currently languish in 19th place in the Premier League – off the bottom on goal difference alone.
Here is a look at five potential replacements for Lampard at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche
It's no surprise to see the former Burnley manager emerge as the early favourite to take over the reigns at struggling Everton.
Dyche twice guided unfancied Burnley to the Premier League and established them as a Premier League force before their relegation in 2022. Much of that can be attributed to a transfer strategy implemented by new owners that stripped Dyche of his best assets.
The 51-year-old Englishman has been out of work since being sacked by the Clarets in April 2022 and has discussed the importance of waiting for the right offer before returning to football. And while taking over a team shorn of confidence, a cutting edge up front and a frail defence is not many coach's idea of fun, the role seems tailor-made for Dyche's organisational qualities.
Duncan Ferguson
A club legend who would undoubtedly be welcomed by Everton fans with open arms.
The 51-year-old former Toffees striker left the club last summer after serving as assistant manager to Lampard in a season which Everton only narrowly avoided relegation.
Ferguson has had two caretaker spells in charge of the first team following the sackings of Marco Silva in 2019 and Rafa Benitez in January 2022.
In his first spell, Ferguson went unbeaten in three league matches, winning one and drawing two but suffered a defeat to Aston Villa during his one match in charge in a second spell between Benitez's sacking and Lampard's appointment in January 2022.
The Scot is desperate to prove his managerial credentials. His love for the club runs deep and his appointment would go someway to placating disgruntled Everton fans.
Marcelo Bielsa
The Argentine is revered in coaching circles, counting luminaries such as Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino among his many admirers.
But his last coaching assignment at Leeds United ended badly, with the 67-year-old sacked in February 2022 following a disastrous run of form that culminated in a 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
That shouldn't mask Bielsa's other achievements at Elland Road; he ended the Whites' 16-year wait for a return to the Premier League and their commitment to attacking, attractive football made them something of a neutral's favourite.
The former Argentina national team coach has reportedly already been approached by Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri about replacing Lampard. Whether he would want to is another matter.
David Moyes
It would be ironic if the man who ended Lampard's time in charge at Everton ended up replacing him in the Goodison dugout.
Moyes' own position at West Ham was under scrutiny before Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton after a run of five straight defeats at one draw.
The win seems to have made Moyes' post at the London Stadium secure for now at least, but should that change, a move by the underfire Everton ownership for their former boss would make sense.
During Moyes' first spell on Merseyside, he guided Everton to Champions League qualification – although the Blues failed to qualify for the group stages – after he guided them to a fourth-placed finish in the 2004/05 season.
He left in 2013 after nine years in charge, anointed as Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United. A six-year contract at Old Trafford was terminated after less than a year, followed by a succession of underwhelming stints in charge of Real Sociedad and Sunderland as well as an initial first spell at West Ham.
But the 59-year-old has largely rehabilitated his reputation since his reappointment with the Hammers in 2019, guiding the East London club to the Europa League in 2019 after winning 19 league games – a club record – to finish sixth.
Wayne Rooney
A return to the club where it all began for Rooney certainly has a good ring to it – and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and Moshiri could certainly do with some good chimes right now.
Rooney burst on to the scene as a bulldozing forward in 2002 and scored a spectacular goal to end Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run five days shy of his 17th birthday.
He would go on to become Manchester United and England's record goalscorer before returning for a second spell as an Everton player in 2018.
Since then he has turned his hand to management, cutting his teeth at Derby County in 2020. Though he was unable to prevent the Rams' relegation from the second tier last year - largely due to a 21-point deduction for off-field issues - Rooney won plaudits for his ability to cajole morale and keep a threadbare squad at least competitive.
Rooney, 37, is currently in charge of DC United, the MLS club where he ended his playing career. A return to Goodison has always seemed destined. It may come around sooner than he thinks.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
