Sam Allardyce’s acrimonious Everton reign is set to finally end this week with the club recognising his unpopularity with the fans makes his position untenable.

The former England manager may have reached the same conclusion as he fights a forlorn battle to win over supporters who have made their displeasure with his appointment increasingly clear over the last few months.

Chants demanding Allardyce’s dismissal have grown in ferocity for weeks, creating an undignified spectacle at Everton’s games. It is inconceivable the club can head into next season with such hostility directed at the dug-out.

Allardyce will meet Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri in the coming days, at which point the terms of his departure can be negotiated, most likely with a mutual parting of the ways. He still has a year left on the deal he signed in November so can expect a handsome reward for what is turning out exactly as expected when he arrived - a short-term appointment to avert a relegation fight.

Speaking on Sky Sports on Monday evening, Allardyce admitted he was unsure of his future.