Tim Cahill is emerging as an option for Everton to return to the club in a senior executive role following Rafa Benitez’s sacking.
The Australian was revered at Goodison Park and remains a hero at the club he left in 2012.
And the 42-year-old is being mooted as an option for an executive position back at the Merseyside club.
Cahill is currently chief sports officer at the Aspire Academy in the UAE and is on the board at Belgian side KAS Eupen.
The return of Cahill, who has also completed his coaching badges, to Goodison would be heralded by supporters given his lofty status among the fan base.
Everton chiefs are keen to re-integrate individuals who know the club in their new-look team following the dismissal of head coach Benitez on Sunday.
And Cahill would certainly fit the bill, though the club’s immediate priority is replacing Benitez at the helm.
Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez is being considered for a shock return to Everton after Rafa Benitez became the sixth manager to be sacked by Farhad Moshiri.
Benitez, who met Moshiri at Everton's Finch Farm training base last Thursday for what he called a 'positive lunch', was relieved of his duties on Saturday night after a disastrous 2-1 defeat at Norwich.
The club confirmed his departure in a terse 40-word statement on Sunday.
Everton are now on the cusp of a relegation battle but they are pursuing the option of bringing back Martinez. The Belgium head coach has a £2million release clause in his contract, which expires at the end of this year after the World Cup.