David Moyes is in talks with Everton over a potential return to Goodison Park after the sacking of manager Sean Dyche.
While a deal is not yet done, and Moyes is not the only candidate, BBC Sport has been told by a well-placed source that the Scot is the frontrunner.
Negotiations over a contract are set to continue on Friday.
Ex-Burnley boss Dyche was dismissed on Thursday with the club 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
They have won just three of 19 games in the league this season.
Moyes managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 before leaving to take charge of Manchester United, but was sacked after 10 months.
He had two spells at West Ham and guided them to the Europa Conference League title in 2023, but has been out of work since leaving them last season.
Moyes recently said he was not ready to retire from football management but did not want to be in a job “fighting relegation”.
After being appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to football, he said: “Football is in my blood. It has been since I was a boy.
“I love watching football and I have enjoyed my career. If there is another part to it, so be it. But I would only want it to be a good part.
“I wouldn’t want to be coming in and doing something which is very difficult.”
