Everton hold talks with former Porto and Fenerbahce manager

Everton’s managerial search continues this week after Duncan Ferguson suffered defeat in his first game of his second spell as interim manager at Goodison Park.

Emiliano Buendia’s header in first-half injury time earned Aston Villa all three points on Saturday afternoon as the Toffees suffered their third straight Premier League defeat – leaving them four points above the relegation zone..

Big fixtures against Newcastle United, Leeds United and Southampton are up next for Everton, providing a chance to drag themselves away from a potential relegation fight.

With a two-week international break underway, Everton are now not in action until 5 February when they host Brentford in the FA Cup, meaning the board’s search for a new manager is set to intensify.

According the The Guardian, that will begin on Monday when the club hold talks with two-time Portuguese title winner Vitor Pereira.

Who is Vitor Pereira?

The former Porto, Fenerbahce and Olympiacos boss was linked with Everton in 2013 and then again in 2019 when Marco Silva was dismissed.

He rejected the later approach after committing himself to Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG, where he had won the title in 2018.

Pereira has been out of work since departing Fenerbahce last year.

He returned to Turkish club, where he had previously worked for two years, in July 2021 but was dismissed in December following a 2-2 draw with rivals Besiktas.

Despite winning two Portuguese league titles with Porto and a Greek title with Olympiacos, Pereira has struggled to find a home in his managerial career so far.

Other Everton candidates

Pereira is one of several managers being looked at by Everton.

Roberto Martinez was their first choice but a return to Goodison Park looks unlikely after the Royal Belgium Football Association rejected a proposal to combine his role with the national team and Everton.

Derby County head coach Wayne Rooney has also been identified as a candidate to return to Everton, with former Monaco coach Niko Kovac and Frank Lampard also reportedly on their wish list.