David Moyes is in talks with Everton over a potential return to Goodison Park after the sacking of Sean Dyche.
While a deal is not yet done, and Moyes is not the only candidate, BBC Sport has been told the Scot is the front-runner by a well-placed source.
Negotiations over a contract are set to continue on Friday.
Ex-Burnley boss Dyche was dismissed on Thursday with the club 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
They have won just three of 19 games in the league this season.
Moyes managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 and recently said he was not ready to retire from football management but did not want to be in a job “fighting relegation”.
He guided West Ham to the Europa Conference League in 2023, but has been out of work since leaving them last season.
