Everton fans shouldn't expect their new manager to be appointed 'until at least next week', according to Alan Myers.

The lowdown

Everton have been a without a manager since the start of the month, when Carlo Ancelotti left to join Real Madrid.

It was reported this week that Rafael Benitez, the former manager of local rivals Liverpool, was in 'prime position' to be offered the job.

Benitez, who's also had spells at Chelsea and Newcastle United, has held three rounds of talks with the club.

But some Blues fans have expressed their anger at the potential appointment, with protest banners displayed outside Goodison Park.

The latest

Myers has warned Everton fans that the wait is set to be prolonged with the Toffees considering a huge number of candidates for the position.

Six of those are named: Benitez, Nuno Espirito Santo, Christophe Galtier, Eddie Howe, former boss Roberto Martinez and assistant coach Duncan Ferguson.

'At this point', the job has not formally been offered to any of those individuals.

The verdict

The delay is a problem. The transfer window opened on 9 June, and with every day that goes by, the task of preparing for the new season becomes that little bit trickier.

But more than that, it's the sense of uncertainty and of a lack of direction that will be worrying both Everton fans and players - the last thing a squad lacking in confidence needs is to show up for pre-season without a leader.

You need only look at the huge variety in the list of names to realise that the club simply aren't sure what they want from their new manager, and that Ancelotti's exit has left them in disarray.

In other news, fans bemoaned this star's potential exit.