EVERTON EXPECT to name their new manager within 10 days with Leicester City's Martin O'Neill and Middlesbrough's Bryan Rob son now figuring prominently on a much revised shortlist.
Although Everton chairman Peter Johnson had, apparently, been keen on tempting George Graham across the Pennines from Leeds United, the former Arsenal manager is adamant he intends to remain at Elland Road to see out the remaining two years of his contract.
Several men came under discussion at a meeting of the Everton directors on Thursday, including Wimbledon's Joe Kinnear and Graeme Souness, who parted company with Southampton last weekend.
Ideally, Johnson would like to be in a position to instal a successor to Joe Royle next weekend and then undertake a search for an assistant who can boast at least a measure of European experience, someone like the former QPR manager Ray Wilkins.
After deciding to abandon his hunt for a leading European coach, Johnson is acutely aware that much will hinge on the decision which he must take within the next 72 hours. A move to a new £100 million stadium is now a certainty, a stockmarket flotation an inevitability and the appointment of a manager capable of investing swiftly and wisely around £20 million an absolute necessity.
With Middlesbrough certain to block any moves to tempt Rob son away from Teesside, O'Neill may, this morning, consider himself to be the slight favourite to become Everton's third manager in just three years.
After leading Leicester to unexpected success in last season's League Cup, he is known to enjoy a healthy level of support within the Goodison Park boardroom and, significantly, he has so far refused to sign a long term contract at Filbert Street.
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he is interested in Southampton's Eyal Berkowic, but denied a deal was imminent.
. Fabrizio Ravanelli and Roberto Baggio have been left out of Italy's squad for the four nation Tournoi de France. Three new faces emerged and striker Alessandro Del Piero returned from injury.
Coach Cesare Maldini named a squad of 23 for the tournament, which also involves Brazil, France and England, starting on Tuesday.
The newcomers are Vicenza midfielder Giampiero Maini, Piacenza midfielder Eusebio Di Francesco and Bologna defender Stefano Torrisi.
