Steve Round backs Sam Allardyce to take Everton job

Former Everton assistant manager Steve Round believes Sam Allardyce could take the club into the top six of the Premier League if he became their new boss.

The former England boss has been linked with the vacancy at Goodison Park following Ronald Koeman's sacking in late October.

Allardyce is one of four candidates believed to be on a shortlist for the role, which also includes caretaker manager David Unsworth and Marco Silva, while Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone is thought to be Everton's number one target.

But Round, who worked under Allardyce at Newcastle in 2007 before moving to assist David Moyes at Everton the following year, thinks 'Big Sam' is the perfect candidate.

"It's Everton and Everton is such a good club. It's so steeped in history and tradition of success. Brilliant place to work, great fan-base, it's got a really good soul about the club and I think he would feel it would be an ideal fit," Round said.

"I think Everton is a club that he would feel he could take to the top six, maybe even the top four, with the backing and the moving into new stadium, it'd be a very, very exciting project for him and I think it would have taken something like that to bring him out of retirement, so to speak."

Sky sources understand Allardyce has already held talks with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri about the vacancy, with the club proposing a deal until the end of the season.

However, it's believed Allardyce, who left Crystal Palace at the end of last season, wants a long-term contract.

Everton are currently 15th in the Premier League, with one win from their last five league matches.

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