If you were to ask Everton fans who they wanted as their next manager at this point, nearly all of them would be saying Christophe Galtier.
The Frenchman is the number one candidate as far as the Toffees fanbase are concerned, so much so they’ve even started a #GaltiertoGoodison hashtag and continue to promote it.
The Lille coach is believed to be on the club’s list; indeed, some have it that he’s been spoken to, although a move isn’t on the cards.
That’s a real shame for Everton, particularly as the main competition for his signature, Nice, aren’t exactly closing in on getting him.
L’Equipe cover the situation today and say while they have ‘finally made contact’ about a move, Lille are playing hardball.
They were believed to have an agreement with Galtier that he could leave this season, despite his contract running until next year.
According to the manager’s entourage, he thought he could ‘easily find a favourable outcome’ with Lille’s president and negotiate a move away.
Lille, though, aren’t interested in that and Olivier Létang does not see the situation in the same light as his coach.
He is determined to keep hold of him unless Nice pay up, and believes he is ‘defending the Dogues’ interests’ by demanding a high price for him, pointing out how the likes of Julian Nagelsmann cost Bayern Munich €25m.
That’s why he’s demanding as much as €10m to let Galtier go, and as a result, Nice are ‘do not appear to be in a strong position’ to get him.
Thus, the door is still open for Everton to make their move if the board decide they want a manager who the fans won’t hate from minute one.
