Everton have started negotiations with Nuno Espirito Santo over their vacant managerial hotseat as they look to find a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian walked out on the club in dramatic fashion on Tuesday after former club Real Madrid came calling following the resignation of Zinedine Zidane, saying he had been settled at Goodison Park before receiving an 'unexpected opportunity'.
The Toffees board have been left stunned by his departure but Sportsmail understands there was a feeling as early as last week that Ancelotti could end up at the Bernabeu and had identified former Wolves boss Espirito Santo as a replacement.