Everton manager hunt: The unpopular choice looks like the right choice

Everton’s search for a new manager will shortly come to an end after it was announced that they have cut their shortlist down to three contenders.

Vitor Pereira, Frank Lampard and Duncan Ferguson are undergoing final talks to become Rafa Benitez’s replacement.

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has interviewed various candidates - including former Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro - and the favourite for the role seems to be constantly changing.

Portuguese Pereira had initially been placed as the favoured candidate, but the former Fenerbahce boss was said to be wanting to pull out after an unpleasant reaction from some Toffees supporters.

With the three managers on the club’s shortlist, let’s take a look at each of their CV’s in management so far.

Vitor Pereira

This information won’t be welcomed by some Everton fans. But of the three contenders, the 53-year-old clearly has the most appealing CV.

He started his coaching journey back in 2000 and with spells with Santa Clara, Porto, Olympiacos and Shanghai SIPG, Pereira offers both experience and trophies.

Pereira has been in the run-in for the Toffees job before, rejecting an approach from them in 2019 whilst in China, but now faces a real possibility of testing himself in England for the first time.

With experience in the UAE with Al-Ahli, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and China, Pereira has a lot to offer to the club.

Trophies won:

FC Porto-

Primeira Liga: 2011-12 and 2012-13

Portuguese Super Cup: 2011 and 2012

Olympiacos-

Super League: 2014-15

Greek Football Cup: 2014-15

Shanghai SIPG-

Chinese Super League: 2018

Chinese FA Super Cup: 2019

Frank Lampard

The man who some vocal Everton fans seem to want, Lampard has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea last year. The former England international reached the FA Cup final in his first season in charge of the Blues, when he handed opportunities to a number of young talents like Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham.

Lampard took charge of 84 games for Chelsea, winning 44 and losing 25. His return to Stamford Bridge didn’t go exactly how he would have planned, but after spending a year in the Championship with Derby County, Lampard’s expertise and blueprint to management has been clear to see since day dot.

Developing youth and using his contacts from his playing career has been the avenue opted for previously and he will be looking to prove himself in the Premier League with the Toffees. The problem with Lampard is, unlike Pereira, he hasn’t won a trophy in his managerial career, something that may be a reason for concern.

Trophies won:

None

Duncan Ferguson

‘Big Dunc’ is loved and adored by the Everton faithful after scoring 68 goals in 260 appearances across two spells. Ferguson took over on an interim basis after Marco Silva’s sacking in 2019. He took charge of four games, winning one and drawing two before Carlo Ancelotti joined.

The former striker stayed as the Italian’s assistant and then Benitez’s deputy. He finds himself back in caretaker duty now.

Ferguson couldn’t win his first game back in charge last weekend against Aston Villa, but he’s been interviewed and has made the final three.

Passion and an understanding of what playing for the club means are two highly valuable assets that Ferguson offers. However, he hasn’t had anywhere near as much experience as the two mentioned above.

If Moshiri does opt to stick with Ferguson and give him a chance to prove himself, it’d be a welcome decision amongst sections of the supporters.

Trophies won:

None

Fabio Cannavaro

An outsider for the role comes in the form of 2010 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro. The Italian has been interviewed over the vacant manager’s job by the club and remains a choice outside the club’s shortlist.

After a luxury playing career at Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid, Cannavaro joined UAE Pro League side Al Ahli as assistant manager to, yes you guessed it, Vitor Pereira in 2013.

He enjoyed spells with Chinese side Guangzhou Evergande and Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, both lasting less than a year, before returning to China with Tianjin Tianhai.

Despite winning Chinese FA Coach of the Year in November 2017, Cannavaro resigned to return to Guangzhou three days later, which was his last club role.

In March 2019, he was appointed manager of the China national team in a dual role during his time at Guangzhou - he lasted just over a month.

Something that put Cannavaro ahead of both Lampard and Ferguson is his honour list. Whilst it’s not at Pereira’s level, the 2006 Ballon d’Or winner has lifted trophies in his managerial career.

Trophies won:

Tianjin Quanjian-

China League One: 2006

Guangzhou Evergande-

Chinese Super League: 2019

Chinese FA Super Cup: 2018