Caretaker boss David Unsworth has stressed Everton's next permanent manager will need "time, patience, support and backing".

Southampton 4 Everton 1: On the day Martin O’Neill emerged as a leading contender to fill the vacancy at Goodison Park, Everton provided a clear illustration of the task confronting the successor to Ronald Koeman.

Everton 1 Atalanta 5: David Unsworth’s tenure as Everton caretaker manager has hit yet another low after the Toffees were thrashed 5-1 by Atalanta in the Europa League at a less-than-half-full Goodison Park last night.

Everton's season - like their search for a manager - continues to drift apparently rudderless after an insipid display in the 5-1 defeat against Atalanta.

Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out of the running to be the next Everton manager after being put off by the club's indecision.

WATFORD 'HUGE' FOR ME, UNSWORTH ADMITS AFTER EVERTON CRASH OUT OF EUROPA LEAGUE

Everton's caretaker manager David Unsworth is scheduled to meet the club's owner Farhad Moshiri having overseen an improved performance at Chelsea in his first match in charge.

Chelsea 2 Everton 1: David Unsworth’s first match as Everton’s caretaker manager ended in a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Everton interim manager David Unsworth has not been given a timescale or a points target to prove himself good enough for the full-time job.

David Unsworth has set himself the dual target of becoming permanent Everton manager and persuading wantaway midfielder Ross Barkley to stay at the club.

Everton Under-23s manager David Unsworth has been placed in temporary charge of the first team following Ronald Koeman's sacking.

David Unsworth, Sean Dyche, and David Moyes are among the frontrunners for the Everton manager’s job after Ronald Koeman was sacked yesterday with the club languishing in the relegation zone.

David Moyes has called for managers to be given time to implement their plans as he plots the way forward at Sunderland.

Some injury issues are still to be resolved as Martin O’Neill’s squad enjoy one last weekend pass off base before the Republic’s June 13 D-Day in France, but there was encouragement yesterday in the sight of James McCarthy training with the group for a second day in a row.

Roberto Martinez paid the price for Everton’s Premier League nosedive when he was relieved of his duties yesterday with one game of the season still to play.

John Terry has played every minute of Chelsea’s Premier League title-winning campaign and will ask Jose Mourinho to continue in the last two games of the season in a bid to beat his personal goalscoring record.

Roberto Martinez has hailed Seamus Coleman as one of the best full-backs in the world ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Lille at Goodison Park (8.05pm).

Former team-mates and current professionals were among the mourners who today attended the funeral of ex-Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett.

REPUBLIC of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly has joined the management team at Preston North End.

Preston have announced that manager Phil Brown has left the club with immediate effect.

English football will pay its respects to Wales manager Gary Speed this weekend following his death at the age of 42.

David Unsworth has been placed in caretaker charge of Preston following the sacking of boss Darren Ferguson yesterday.

Burnley 0 Arsenal 2

Coca-Cola Championship leaders Watford came from two goals down to beat Colchester 3-2 at Layer Road and extend their advantage at the summit to four points.

Wigan have announced captain Arjan de Zeeuw and fellow defender David Unsworth will be released this summer.

Wigan have announced captain Arjan de Zeeuw and fellow defender David Unsworth will be released this summer.

Wigan have appointed assistant boss Chris Hutchings as the club’s new manager after Paul Jewell resigned today – less than 24 hours after leading the club to Premiership safety.

Paul Jewell has resigned as Wigan manager less than 24 hours after keeping the team in the Premiership, according to reports.

It is the kind of emotional sight we have become accustomed to seeing once the outstanding issues have been addressed at the conclusion of the Premiership’s final day.

Sheffield United 1 Wigan 2

Left-back Leighton Baines is a major doubt for Wigan’s make-or-break relegation-decider against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in Sunday’s final Barclays Premiership match of the season.

Wigan 0 West Ham 3

Wigan winger Lee McCulloch is a serious doubt ahead of tomorrow's Premiership match with Liverpool at Anfield.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell is forced into three changes as his side looks for a vital Premiership win to ease their relegation worries today.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell's relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell’s relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

PRELIMINARY checks have revealed “no obvious fracture” to Everton striker Andrew Johnson’s left ankle, according to the club.

Wigan 0 Everton 2

Chelsea are boosted by the return from suspension of top scorer Didier Drogba and defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Crystal Palace have signed midfielder Paul Ifill from Sheffield United for £750,000 (€1.1m).

Watford new boys Will Hoskins and Lee Williamson insist they can score the goals to rescue the club from the Barclays Premiership abyss.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell has completed his third signing of the transfer window with the capture of defender David Unsworth from Sheffield United.

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has put eight players up for grabs ahead of next month's transfer window.