Marco Silva's successor?

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri wants to dismiss Marco Silva and appoint Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa as his replacement, according to reports on Sunday.

The Toffees are in a disappointing run of form and lost 1-0 at Watford on Saturday to sit ninth in the Premier League – and only nine points clear of 18th-placed Southampton.

While Moshiri publicly backed Silva last month, he did, however, admit that results this season have not been good enough and he expected more given the £90million transfer backing he gave the Portuguese coach over the summer.

Since then, Everton have lost five of their last six to heap the pressure on Silva and leave his position hanging by a knife-edge.

And according to an exclusive in the Sunday Mirror, Moshiri wants to axe Silva and appoint Leeds boss Bielsa as his replacement, having been impressed with the job the Argentine has done at Elland Road.

Leeds currently top the Championship and are firmly in the mix for a return to the Premier League after a 15-year stint in the lower leagues.

Bielsa is revered in coaching circles, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola a ‘disciple’ of his style and legendary attention to detail.

Guardiola is on record calling the Argentinian “the best coach in the world”, while Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is another confirmed admirer.

However, Leeds should not feel too alarmed by the link, with Bielsa admitting he’s at Elland Road for the challenge of stirring the sleeping giant rather than for the money.

The Argentine is reportedly paid £2million a year by Leeds and while he could comfortably earn more at Goodison, he’s highly unlikely to jump ship at this stage of the season.