EXCLUSIVE: Vitor Pereira is ready to PULL OUT of race for the Everton job after furious backlash from fans, with Frank Lampard now emerging as leading contender to take charge
- Everton fans were furious that Vitor Pereira was closing in on manager role
- Toffees supporters started protesting against the potential move on Tuesday
- Fans have graffitied the stadium and held up banners outside club offices
- Owner Farhad Moshiri is eager to make a ‘forward-thinking’ appointment
- But the pressure has told and Pereira is thinking about withdrawing application
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Vitor Pereira is giving serious consideration to pulling out of the running for the Everton job following the supporter backlash against his potential appointment.
We revealed on Tuesday that Pereira was in London for a second round of talks with the Toffees about becoming the club’s next head coach and was emerging as the lead candidate.
But that news has not been well received by Toffees fans on Merseyside and that has left Pereira contemplating walking away.
Vitor Pereira is preparing to pull out of the race to become the next Everton manager
Angry Everton fans have ramped up protests over the potential appointment of Pereira
Sportsmail has on Wednesday spoken to the Portuguese coach, who has told us he is sad at the protests from supporters against his appointment given people are judging him without knowing him.
Pereira has also made clear that he is not represented by an agent but by a lawyer and that he applied for the job through Bill Kenwright, who he has known for six years.
Owner Farhad Moshiri and agent Kia Joorabchian have also faced criticism from fans over the expected appointment of Pereira.
Bill Kenwright and owner Farhad Moshiri (right) are subject to intensifying fury from fans
Frank Lampard is in pole position for the Everton job if Pereira does in fact pull out
Pereira’s withdrawal is set to open the door to Frank Lampard being appointed as Rafa Benitez’s successor.
Lampard has strong support from sections of the Everton board.
CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale understood to be pushing the Chelsea legend’s claims at boardroom level, and is now emerging as lead contender for the position.
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