Maurizio Sarri could emerge as a shock contender for the vacant Everton job, according to reports in Italy...

What's the word?

Calciomercato.it claimed that the 62-year-old has been in talks with Lazio over becoming their next manager, with the Serie A outfit wanting it finalised before the end of the week, otherwise they'll move onto other targets.

However, it is thought that the former Chelsea boss is keeping his options open, especially following the availability of the Toffees job after Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid earlier this week.

The Italian news outlet hints that a move to Goodison Park could be on the cards. It would tie in with previous reports suggesting that Sarri is keen on a return to the Premier League.

Worrying twist

If Everton director of football Marcel Brands and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri want to get their next appointment absolutely spot-on, then they should avoid entertaining this latest development.

Sarri's time at Stamford Bridge ended on a sour note, largely thanks to his negative style of football, and that would only leave the Everton fanbase fuming after witnessing an attractive and expansive system under Ancelotti.

The Blues faithful often chanted against 'Sarriball' and at one stage, even led to some deeming him a "fraud" whilst his coaching failed to inspire the players on the pitch.

Reports from Spanish newspaper AS (via Football Italia) at the time claimed the former Napoli manager had lost the support of the dressing room's 'big names' for 'months' and his relationship with many was 'irreconcilable.'

Furthermore, third-choice goalkeeper Rob Green once confronted the Italian in front of the whole dressing room, an incident he recalled to The Athletic.

"I just spelled it out. I told him, ‘You have no plan B. You’re a transactional kind of manager," claimed the veteran. "The players in the group are not the kind to speak to you like this — they care very much but are scared to say something to you, like I am. I don’t care because what are you going to do — drop me!?’"

Sarri has also been slammed as "very stubborn" too.

All in all, it just does not seem like the right move from Everton, and if Brands were to consider the former Juventus manager, then he'll only risk playing with fire in Merseyside.

AND in other news, 47 y/o lauded by Klopp would be shades of Sam Allardyce at Goodison...