Everton will not rush appointment of successor to David Moyes

The Toffees are looking for their first manager in over 11 years

Vitor Pereira (GETTY IMAGES)

Everton insist they are in no rush to find a “worthy successor” to David Moyes after Manchester United confirmed the Scot will be their new manager next season.

Moyes will remain in post at Goodison Park for Sunday's visit of West Ham and the trip to Chelsea on the final day of the season.

That gives the Toffees almost an additional fortnight in their search for a replacement as it was expected the Scot would leave when his contract ran out at the end of the campaign.

Chairman Bill Kenwright said it was vitally important they recruited someone "equally significant" after 11 years with Moyes at the helm.

Early front-runners for the job are Wigan's Roberto Martinez, Celtic's Neil Lennon, Vitor Pereira, whose contract at Porto expires in the summer, and Swansea's Michael Laudrup.

Already former Wales manager Mark Hughes, soon-to-be-leaving Everton captain Phil Neville and newly-promoted Cardiff boss Malky Mackay appear outside bets.

Hughes' stock has fallen after he was sacked by QPR in November, Neville wants to extend his playing career and has no managerial experience while Mackay is untested at Premier League level.

And while the club expect to move quickly Press Association Sport understands the feeling within Goodison Park is there is no need to rush the appointment as the Everton vacancy will be regarded as one of the best in Europe with very few of the continent's 'serious' clubs having positions available.

"We've had a good 11-year adventure with David and it is my job and the club's job to get a worthy successor and build on what David has brought to the club and hopefully move on from there," said Kenwright.

"We will be out there finding the right man for this football club.

"It is important Everton continues in the David Moyes tradition, in the Everton Football Club tradition, with an equally significant manager - because he has been a significant manager for 11 years.

"Eleven years ago I made a decision and it was an instant decision when I met David but I don't think that can happen this time.

"We have to be very seriously looking to see what kind of candidate is out there who can take the club forward."

Kenwright knew Moyes was seriously considering his future and Press Association Sport was told a couple of months ago that groundwork was being done in the background should he decide to go.

But with Everton looking set to finish in the top six again they expect the challenge of taking them to the next level, combined with a more secure financial footing than they have had for the last three years, will attract the best talent.

It remains to be seen what agreement - if any - has been made with Moyes in relation to him returning to buy some of his former players but even if he does Everton are confident they will not be sold short.

Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is the only player to have a buy-out clause - believed to be £22million - and while Moyes' move to Old Trafford may increase the likelihood of a bid for Leighton Baines, who has long been linked with United, the club will not do their former employee any favours on the transfer fee.

PA