Former Everton manager target Vitor Pereira has left Corinthians in a move that could pile further pressure on Frank Lampard’s future at the Premier League strugglers, as reported by UOL.
With a five week break between now and the next time Everton play a top-flight game, successive thumping defeats at Bournemouth could hardly have come at a worse time as far as Frank Lampard is concerned.
The Toffees owners will now have over a month to digest those 4-1 and 3-0 thumpings at the Vitality Stadium. And the furious reaction from the away end – for the second time in a matter of days – means difficult discussions will now have to take place regarding the future of a manager who appears to have lost any of the goodwill he earned following last season’s great escape.
According to HBVL, Everton are already keeping tabs on Roberto Martinez’s situation. The Spaniard’s contract at the helm of the Belgian national team expires following the Qatar World Cup, and he remains popular at Goodison following a terrific 2013/14 season which nearly ended in Champions League qualification.
This, coupled with Pereira’s new-found availability, will only raise further questions surrounding the strength of Lampard’s position.
Could Everton replace Frank Lampard with Vitor Pereira or Roberto Martinez?
“Today we end a cycle. Vitor Pereira and his technical staff will not remain at the club,” Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves said on Sunday. “The contract ends.”
54-year-old Pereira, who was linked with the Wolves job prior to the appointment of Julen Lopetegui at Molineux, has held talks on a number of occasions with the Everton board. Most memorably 10 months ago, following the sacking of Rafa Benitez.
Pereira, in the end, was made to pay for his close ties with unpopular owner Farhad Moshiri; a section of Everton supporters making their disapproval clear as Lampard eventually took over instead.
“I always had the intention of working in England. I was in talks for a week to sign with Everton. But it didn’t happen,” Pereira said at the time.
The prospect of the former Porto and Olympiakos boss finally taking over on Merseyside, then, is likely to split the Everton fanbase right down the middle once again. That frostiness may just thaw a little, however, when glancing at Pereira’s CV.
This is, after all, a coach who has won eight trophies in three different countries. A proven winner at the highest level.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
