Frank De Boer the favourite to replace Roberto Martinez at Everton

Only hours after leaving Ajax following their agonising failure to win the Eredivisie on Sunday, former Dutch defender De Boer is the odds-on favourite to be installed as the next Everton boss. After six years with the Dutch giants, where he won four league titles, his reign has rather unravelled in the final two years but the 45-year-old looks a ready-made Premier League manager.

After overseeing obvious improvements in Stoke's style and results since replacing Tony Pulis, Hughes has seen a renaissance in his managerial standing. Viewed as damaged goods after his demoralising spell in charge of QPR, the Welshman is revitalised and will feel he deserves another crack of the whip at a top club. Also played for Everton at the back-end of his storied career.

On his way out of Manchester City after three largely successful seasons, Pellegrini will be keen to return to work soon. Despite overseeing a gradual decline in his three years in charge at the Etihad stadium he would be a stellar appointment for a club of Everton's size.

With his future up in the air following Newcastle's relegation, Benitez is a wildcard runner. The Spaniard would be a first-class appointment for Everton but his ties with Liverpool make the likelihood extremely remote.

Has worked wonders in two seasons of over-achievement at Southampton, but the Dutch coach may view Goodison Park as a sideways step as he looks to progress his managerial career ever further.

Out of work following his dismissal by Real Sociedad, the Scot still curries favour with chairman Bill Kenwright following his 11-year spell in charge of Everton. However it is unlikely Moyes would return so soon after his failure at Manchester United, and the Toffees should continue with a clean-break from his time at the club.

The Bournemouth manager has steered his side to mid-table safety this season and looks to have a big future in the game. A move to Everton, however, would feel premature after only one season of top-flight management under his belt.

Would prove an unpopular appointment with Evertonians given his spell in charge of Liverpool, but remains a talented young coach desperate to get back into the game. But given the failure of the Martinez experiment, unlikely that the club will once again plump for a manager with a five-year plan.

The Premier League needs Marcelo Bielsa. A tactical genius and revered by football hipsters across the world. In a league dominated by financial might, despite Leicester's heroics, perhaps it is the master tactician who could bring Everton kicking and screaming back into the big-time.

Some Everton fans believe nothing but the best is suitable for the club after years of under-achievement in their trophy-less modern era, but convincing Jose Mourinho to rock up at Finch Farm sounds too far-fetched. The former Chelsea boss tends to join clubs with a bottomless pit of resources, and sadly the Toffees can not provide this.

The perfect man for the job. Everton through-and-through, a proper football man who knows the club better than anyone else.