Everton told to follow Arsenal ‘blueprint’ after Pereira update from reliable journalist – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Everton should steer clear of appointing “journeyman” Vitor Pereira.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Toffees should look to emulate the success enjoyed by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal by installing a “three-year plan” at Goodison.
According to Fabrizio Romano (24 January), Everton have met with Pereira regarding the managerial vacancy ahead of a “final decision” on appointing Rafa Benitez’s successor.
According to The Telegraph‘s Jason Burt (20 January), Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Fabio Cannavaro are also in the running.
Whelan insisted there is no “quick fix” for the predicament Everton find themselves in.
“I don’t think a journeyman like Pereira is what Everton need,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They need to be looking at the blueprint that Arsenal have laid out with Arteta. Yes, there are going to be initial teething problems – things won’t go swimmingly straight away. But, you’ve got to have that three-year plan in place.
“You can see what Arteta has done at Arsenal. He’s been shrewd in the windows but he’s putting the jigsaw pieces together now.
“He’s reaping the benefits and we’re starting to see what he envisioned when he took over.
“You’ve got to do that if you’re Everton. There’s no quick fix for the predicament they’re in. Managers need time and transfer windows to turn things around.
“They really need to get this appointment right, because they’ve got it so wrong for a while now. It’s crucial.”
Pereira was sacked by Fenerbache in December 2021 after just five months in the job.
The two-time Portuguese league winner has taken charge of nine teams in a managerial career spanning 17 years.
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