Everton have included their former striker Wayne Rooney on their managerial shortlist should Frank Lampard depart the club, according to reports.
Lampard is under significant pressure at Goodison Park amid a poor run of form for the Toffees.
A 4-1 defeat by Brighton in the midweek round of Premier League fixtures means Everton have now gone seven games without a win in all competitions.
They dropped into the bottom three on Wednesday after Nottingham Forest beat Southampton at St Mary's.
The Guardian writes that Lampard will be in charge of Everton for Friday's FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United, but his future beyond that is uncertain.
And the former England international could be replaced in the dugout by his ex-team-mate Rooney.
The DC United head coach is one of several managers Everton are monitoring, according to The Sun.
Then-Derby boss Rooney rejected the chance the interview for the role before Lampard was appointed at the end of January 2022, but he may be more open to an approach this time around.
Everton have also been linked with a swoop for their former manager Roberto Martinez, who is available after leaving the Belgium job after their disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Sean Dyche and Ange Postecoglu are also under consideration by the Goodison hierarchy, but Lampard could yet earn a stay of execution.
Upcoming Premier League games against fellow strugglers Southampton and West Ham will be crucial to determining his future, although a poor result against United on Friday could spell the end for the 44-year-old.
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