In a last-minute managerial twist, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed Everton target Lucien Favre will not be joining Crystal Palace.
A three-year deal for the Swiss tactician had been verbally agreed according to The Guardian, with Favre set to sign for the Eagles as early as Thursday morning.
The club had even received confirmation that Favre had seen an application for his work permit approved, with multiple sources reporting that the Everton-linked tactician was all but certain to be taking up the vacant manager role at Selhurst Park.
However, reports late on Thursday night had confirmed a U-turn from the ex-Dortmund coach amid concerns over adjusting to a new country and returning to the rigours of top-flight management.
Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter to confirm the news:
Lucien Favre has definitely decided to turn down Crystal Palace proposal, after verbal agreement reached on a three-years contract and work permit process started. He’s NOT joining. ❌ #CPFC
Lucien Favre won’t even join Fenerbahçe. 🔴🇹🇷 #Fener
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2021
Reports from The Guardian confirm that although Favre remains available, a move to Everton is unlikely for the same reasons Favre reportedly rejected a deal from the Eagles.
Everton, who ‘expressed an interest in Favre in recent days’, continue to be on the lookout for a new manager some four weeks on after Carlo Ancelotti’s shock departure to Real Madrid.
Recent reports have claimed that ex-Liverpool and Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is on the verge of being named as Everton’s new manager.
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Whilst it is entirely plausible that Favre could have had cold feet when faced with the prospect of putting pen to paper, to be in advanced negotiations and to be enthused about the project is suspicious.
Everton fans should not get false hope that Favre could have had his head turned by alternative interest from England, given the reported detail that Favre wants to extend his seven-month break from management.
However, Favre has already spent a prolonged period of time away from management and would have been fully aware of the strategy being outlined to him by the south Londoners.
For talks to break down on the cusp of an agreement being reached is as strange as it is tumultuous for Everton’s fellow Premier League club.
