Stewart Robson says Everton were right to part with Ronald Koeman after the team showed no signs of improvement. (2:19)

Mikel Arteta is the surprise name on Everton's wanted list to replace Ronald Koeman, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC, while caretaker manager David Unsworth has said he would be interested in the role on a permanent basis.

Former Everton midfielder Arteta has been an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City since July 2016 after retiring as a player and is already seen as a valuable member of the coaching staff.

However, the 35-year-old has admirers at Goodison Park who are looking to bring in a manager with fresh ideas and impetus.

Meanwhile, Everton under-23s manager Unsworth has been placed in temporary charge of the senior side after Koeman was dismissed on Monday, the second time he has had the position having previously been given it when Roberto Martinez was dismissed in 2016

Speaking at a news conference to preview Wednesday night's trip to Chelsea in a fourth-round League Cup tie, the former Everton defender said: "I'll repeat myself from the last time I sat here 18 months ago. Who wouldn't want this job?

"It's a wonderful football club with amazing fans and it's a top job for absolutely any manager, myself included.

Mikel Arteta left Everton in 2011 to join Arsenal and is currently a coach at Manchester City. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

"The chairman [Bill Kenwright] has given me an opportunity, [majority shareholder] Farhad Moshiri has given me an opportunity and the board have given me an opportunity to hopefully get a run of games where performance levels go up and we produce some results as well.

"From that, performances and results will dictate any future for me as Everton manager.

"I want to manage and this is an amazing to club to be manager of. I think the time has come to say that and make no secret of it at all. I do want to manage.

"What will be will be. I'll just do my best on the training ground every day and within the games, the staff and players I've got. We'll try and win a few football games.

"The chairman just asked me to take it. He's going to speak to me every day. We'll discuss it all the time. There's been no points total, number of matches [set]. I've just been asked to take the team. Hopefully there is a run of games."

One of the issues Unsworth hopes to solve during time in charge is to ensure Ross Barkley commits his future to the club.

The midfielder, who is currently out with a hamstring injury, had informed Everton he would not be extending his contract, which has less than 12 months to run, and drew interest from Chelsea and Tottenham in the summer transfer window.

"I spoke to Ross this morning. I saw him in the gym, he's working really hard and coming along nicely," Unsworth added.

"My opinion on Ross is [that] I would absolutely love him to stay. He is a top talent. Everton has done great for him and he's done great for Everton.

"He could be one of the all-time greats here and I would love him to be persuaded by myself, the chairman and Farhad to stay and sign a contract because we shouldn't be losing players of his quality.

"He's a great player that's come through our ranks. I feel very strongly that we shouldn't be losing our own players.

"I have not spoken to him about that [his contract] but I will be doing. I'd love him to sit down and have a cup of tea with me and discuss the possibility of signing and staying here because we love him and I know he loves Everton as well.

"I want everyone to come together and hopefully we can thrash something out with Ross."

Unsworth confirmed his backroom staff will be formed of John Ebbrell, Duncan Ferguson, Joe Royle and Alan Kelly, while Francis Jeffers will take charge of the U23s.