Everton have been on the case of a new manager for three weeks now as they desperately try to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
Unfortunately for supporters, it looks as though they’re heading towards a name they don’t want.
What’s the word?
Everton have now been close to appointing two coaches with Nuno Santo initially in advanced discussions with the Toffees.
However, after proceedings began to stall with the Portuguese, they’ve focused their efforts on Rafa Benitez.
A number of managers have been linked with the vacancy at Goodison Park but one man who looks as though they’re now out of the running is Christophe Galtier.
There's been a fresh twist in the Everton manager hunt as, according to RMC Sport (via Sport Witness), the 54-year-old is set to reject Everton’s advances and head to Nice instead.
The Merseyside outfit had made him one of their priorities but the report states that Galtier perhaps expected better.
Fans should be gutted
It’s got to a stage at the moment where Everton supporters would seemingly accept any manager besides Benitez.
The Goodison Park faithful have been on the backs of the hierarchy over the last few days in a desperate protest against the Spaniard.
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The 61-year-old famously dubbed Everton a ‘small club,’ something he has since apologised for but it doesn’t look as though fans have forgiven him for that jibe.
As a consequence, they should be gutted that Galtier is set to reject them this summer.
After all, he would have been a fabulous appointment for a number of reasons. Not only did he steer Lille out of the shadows to beat PSG to the Ligue 1 title last term, but his style of football would have been perfect.
Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, former Lille director Luis Campos said: “Christophe has all the qualities to coach in England, technically he is very astute and is extremely detailed in his planning when preparing a team.”
Campos added: "He likes a 4-4-2 system, which would fit with the Premier League and he is a fantastic motivator in the dressing room.
"He likes to build a side with quality and youth, he is someone that can develop a team ethic, and he is also a fantastic human being."
The job he did with Les Dogues was incredible. When he first took over, they finished 17th in the French top-flight but they have now finished in the top four three years in a row.
That has long been the ambition at Everton but they’ve missed out on that elusive Champions League spot for decades now.
Galtier, had he accepted the Toffees’ advances, may have been able to finally guide them to that position in the league table.
Instead, supporters will be left to vent even frustration in the direction of Benitez. This is not a good situation for Everton fans.