Everton to hold talks with Vítor Pereira as manager search continues

Everton are due to hold talks with the former Fenerbahce and Porto manager Vítor Pereira on Monday as they continue their search for a permanent successor to Rafael Benítez.

Pereira is out of work and was under consideration by Everton in 2013 and then after Marco Silva’s departure in 2019. He said on the second occasion that he was committed to staying with Shanghai SIPG, whom he had led to the 2018 Chinese Super League title.

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Pereira has twice won the Portuguese league with Porto and secured the Greek title with Olympiakos. His most recent job, a second stint at Fenerbahce, ended in the sack last December after less than six months, with the club trailing the league leaders Trabzonspor by 14 points.

In December 2017 Pereira was hired by 1860 Munich to try to avoid relegation from Germany’s second tier but the club went down in a play-off.

Everton are effectively in a relegation battle after losing at home to Aston Villa on Saturday under Duncan Ferguson’s caretaker management. Four points separate them from third-bottom Newcastle, although Everton have a game in hand.

Pereira is one of a number of candidates being assessed by Everton. Roberto Martínez was their first choice but the Royal Belgian Football Association rejected a proposal for the Spaniard to combine his role with managing the Premier League club.

Wayne Rooney and the former Monaco coach Niko Kovac are also of interest, and Frank Lampard has been interviewed for the vacancy.