Premier League Giants Name New Manager Ahead of Tough Weekend Clash

• Duncan Ferguson will be in the dugout when Everton square off with Aston Villa at Goodison Park
• The Everton club legend was appointed the club's caretaker boss after the dismissal of Rafa Benitez
• Benitez was shown the door after the Toffees' 2-1 shock defeat to relegation-threatened Norwich City
• The Merseysiders currently sit 16th on the log with 19 points, six off the relegation zone

Everton have announced Duncan Ferguson will take charge of the club after the departure of Rafa Benitez.

Benitez was dismissed at Goodison Park after a string of poor performances including the Toffees' 2-1 shock defeat to relegation candidates Norwich City.

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez who was sacked at Everton in 2016 has been heavily linked with a return to the club.

EPL legends Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard have also been shortlisted for the Everton role.

However, the Merseyside club have confirmed Ferguson is set to take charge as the caretaker boss before a substantial replacement is named.

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Ferguson will have John Ebbrell and ex-player Leighton Baines within his ranks as he discharges his duties.

"Duncan Ferguson has been appointed as Everton caretaker manager for the club’s upcoming games," Everton announced.

"An announcement on a permanent managerial appointment will be made in due course," the club added.

Ferguson's first assignment will be against Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa, a fixture slated for Saturday, January 22.

The tie comes at a time Everton are sitting just six points clear of the relegation zone.

Wayne Rooney tipped for Everton job

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Man United legend Wayne Rooney has been backed to take over as Everton boss after the sacking of Rafa Benitez.

With the Spaniard now departed, Everton are in the market in search of his replacement, with reports suggesting the club already has several managers in mind.

Rooney, incidentally, is among those whose names have been floated for the role, with Jamie Redknapp reckoning the former England international might be the right man for the job.

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"People are talking about Wayne Rooney, the job he is doing at Derby is out of this world. The fact that he's even got them in the position to stay up, this would be the greatest escape of all time," Redknapp noted.