Everton coach on radar of Preston North End as Paul Heckingbottom replacement

Everton could face a nervous wait in their coaching staff as Preston North End hunt for a new head coach.

A fresh face is needed as soon as possible in the dugout at Deepdale.

Paul Heckingbottom became the first manager to face the sack in the Championship after seven defeats to start the season.

Having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at home to Lincoln City, it felt as if the writing was on the wall.

The Lilywhites wasted no time in pulling the trigger, but are still in need of a manager.

Preston's search could now see them turn to Everton, but who do they want?

Who are Preston eyeing at Everton?

It has been a nightmare start to the campaign for the Lancashire outfit.

They are currently stuck 23rd in the second tier, with only Burnley sitting below them in the table.

That won't be helping their hunt for a new gaffer, but they have their targets in mind.

Alan Nixon reported via Patreon on Sunday that Robbie Keane remains their main target.

They will face stern competition to bring in the Irishman as he is wanted by an unnamed Championship side and could even end up at Celtic.

Should he decide against a Deepdale switch, the report details that Preston could turn their attention to Leighton Baines.

The former left-back is currently an assistant to David Moyes, but could he look to follow in the Scot's footsteps?

How Leighton Baines could replicate David Moyes away from Everton

The current Toffees boss is well-loved on Merseyside, as is his assistant.

The left-back was arguably the best and most consistent player at Goodison for many seasons.

That makes him all the more popular as a choice on the dugout at Hill Dickinson, but this may be his chance to take a step forward in his career.

Moyes would certainly act as an inspiration should Baines move to Preston, as the 63-year-old started his managerial career at Deepdale.

He took over the Lilywhites in January 1998 and went on to have a stellar time before completing a switch to Everton four years later.

Everyone knows what he has gone on to achieve in his career and that is surely something Baines is keeping in mind.

It will certainly be interesting to see what direction Preston go in and whether Baines would take on the role if it were offered to him.