Everton fans in Pereira protest, ex-Porto boss favourite for job with Moshiri backing

Vitor Pereira is the favourite to be appointed Everton’s new manager, but unhappy fans have made their voice heard over his possible arrival.

A group of Toffees supporters staged a protest outside Liverpool’s iconic Liver Building on Tuesday night against majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, who is said to be behind the move for the Portuguese coach.

Former Porto head coach Pereira, win won two Primeira Liga titles with the Portuguese giants, is believed to be the leading candidate to replace sacked Rafael Benitez.

Former Liverpool manager Benitez was relieved of his duties with a 2-1 loss to Norwich ending his disastrous tenure with Everton mired in a relegation battle.

Club legend and long-time assistant manager Duncan Ferguson has taken over on an interim basis, but things got off to a bad start with a 1-0 loss against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.

Supporters used the game to criticise the club’s ownership group, with chairman Bill Kenwright singled out by a plane flown over Goodison Park and in-ground banners demanding his departure.

And a group of fans continued their protests on Tuesday evening as news emerged of talks with Pereira.

📸 Graffiti spray painted onto Goodison Park tonight protesting against the appointment of Vitor Pereira pic.twitter.com/sTjKKZh1RB

— The Toffee Blues (@EvertonNewsFeed) January 26, 2022

Everton fans outside the Liver Buildings tonight targeting the Board #EFC pic.twitter.com/37HV87gH4l

— Everton FC News 💙 (@NilSatisNews) January 25, 2022

Graffiti was spotted outside Goodison Park that read ‘Pereira out, Lampard in’, as the club searches for their next permanent manager.

Meanwhile, some unhappy Toffees supporters were pictured outside the Liver Building holding banners that voiced their displeasure with Moshiri.

The majority owner has seen his heavy investment since taking over the club in 2016 provide very little return, with the club criticised for a lack of direction.

It was widely claimed Moshiri was behind the club’s move for ex-Liverpool manager Benitez, and pushed ahead with the deal despite opposition from within the club’s board.

And it is now the Daily Mirror are reporting the British-Iranian businessman is pulling the same divisive move with Pereira, with claims some within the club would prefer to take their time and assess other options before making a decision on their next boss.

Pereira was not the club’s top target to replace Benitez, with an approach for former manager Roberto Martinez turned down last week with the Spaniard keen on leading Belgium at the 2022 World Cup.

Now, Pereira’s name has been put in the frame as his next stop in a nomadic career that has spanned Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Turkey, Germany and China.

Pereira arrived in England on Monday for talks with the club and Moshiri is said to have been impressed during his interview.

The 53-year-old Portuguese coach rose to prominence with Porto, guiding the side to consecutive league titles in 2012 and 2013.

He has since taken on various different roles, winning trophies with Olympiacos, Shanghai Port [formerly Shanghai SIPG] and Al-Ahli.

Pereira’s last job came in the shape of a second stint with Turkish giants Fenerbahce, which ended in December with his side struggling in the title race.