Wayne Rooney urges Everton board to make decision over new manager

Everton striker Wayne Rooney says the club's board "have a decision to make" over the future of caretaker boss David Unsworth and the permanent successor to Ronald Koeman after the Toffees' season took another turn for the worse.

Atalanta inflicted upon the Merseysiders their joint-heaviest home defeat in Europe with a 5-1 thrashing of Unsworth's side, to take their place in the Europa League last 32.

Bryan Cristante scored twice either side of Joel Robles saving Alejandro Gómez's penalty, before Sandro Ramirez pulled one back with his first Everton goal.

But the Serie A side cruised to their first away win of the season with three goals in the final seven minutes. Substitute Robin Gosens thrashed home the third before Andreas Cornelius netted twice to underline another embarrassing evening in Europe for the Premier League outfit.

Defeat was Unsworth's fourth in his six games at the helm at Everton since being placed in caretaker charge following the sacking of Koeman exactly a month ago. The Under-23 coach's chances of being appointed on a permanent basis, even until the end of the season, appear to be over after another damaging loss.

After talks with Sam Allardyce ceased and RB leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick opted to remain in Germany, the pursuit of Marco Silva has also been abandoned after Watford rejected Everton's £10m compensation offer.

And Rooney has called upon the board, which includes chairman Bill Kenwright and Farhad Moshid's representative Alexander Rryazantsev, to make a decision regarding the club's future.

"There is nothing riding on the game but it is our pride," the 32-year-old, Everton's captain on the night in the absence of Phil Jagielka, told BT Sport. "It not nice to lose games but the manner we lost it is disappointing and upsetting. We wanted to win the game and we haven't and it's a hurtful defeat for us.

"The change of manager has been a positive change in terms of performances, tonight aside, and you can see that on the pitch. We have to keep trying to pick up points in the Premier League.

"That is down to the board. That is their decision. Since David Unsworth has come in there has been a great atmosphere among the players, and some positive results. The players are enjoying day-to-day training. The board have a decision to make and I am sure they are working on it."