Everton are close to confirming the appointment of ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as successor to Carlo Ancelotti after he agreed a three-year deal.
The contentious arrival of the 61-year is now seen as a formality after he impressed Everton owner Farhad Moshiri in several rounds of talks.
Benitez won the Champions League and the FA Cup in a six-year spell at Anfield.
In a historic and controversial move, Benitez will join William Edward Barclay, who was part of the original foundation of Everton in the 1890s and later the breakaway Liverpool club, as the only men to cross the city divide to manage both clubs.