‘What does he know about Everton?’ Alan Stubbs dismisses Paulo Fonseca as potential new Goodison Park manager

Alan Stubbs insists Everton should forget all about the idea of appointing Paulo Fonseca as their new manager.

The 44-year-old Portuguese has been installed as second favourite by the bookies to succeed Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park, but the former Toffees defender insists that would be a mistake.

Fonseca won the Ukrainian League and Cup double with Shakhtar Donetsk last season, but his credentials don’t impress Stubbs.

Speaking to the Ray Stubbs show on talkSPORT 2, the ex-Everton favourite said: “What does Fonseca know about Everton football club?”

He added: “There has to be a sense of reality. This is an unbelievable football club, one with a history of being among the elite clubs in this country. This is what Everton is all about. What does he know about Everton? What does he know about the Premier League?

“We need someone to come in and steady the ship and make sure that the worst possible outcome doesn’t happen - and that’s Everton not being in the Premier League.

“The players need a bit of leadership, they need to roll their sleeves up and not look for an easy way out. They need to do it themselves. They’ll be hurting inside, but when you look at performances like Sunday [4-1 defeat at Southampton] some people will be questioning whether they are really hurting.

“We want to see players stick their chests out, know what it means to play for this fantastic football club and show the fans who are there through thick and thin how much they care. I’m afraid it looks like one or two of them in the team just don’t get it.”

Sam Allardyce remains the favourite to take charge at Goodison Park, and Stubbs insists he would welcome the opportunity to work alongside the former England manager at his old club.

“Everybody know what Everton means to me and at this moment in time I’m twiddling my thumbs in the house and waiting to get back into football,” he said.

“If the opportunity came along, I’d find it very difficult to say no.”