Pereira tipped to be named Everton manager imminently and his successor may already be lined up – pundit
Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Everton to name Vitor Pereira as their new manager imminently.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker suggested Everton may have already earmarked Wayne Rooney to succeed Pereira when he leaves the club.
The Daily Mirror reported late last night (25 January) the Portuguese coach expects to be named as Rafa Benitez’s replacement.
He is Farhad Moshiri’s first choice and has caused a split among club chiefs who expected they would take a considered approach to the recruitment process.
It is also claimed Frank Lampard was interviewed for the role and Wayne Rooney was also under consideration.
“The problem is there’s a two-week break now which Everton have to appoint a new manager,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I’m sure by the end of the break they’ll have appointed someone.
“Duncan Ferguson, I think, should be given a chance but Everton will think ‘How many times can we give it to him?’
“They’ll be looking at bringing in a proper replacement, straight away I feel.
“I think they’ll go for Pereira. I don’t think they’ll go for Rooney or Lampard.
“When a job comes available it’s always Lampard’s name in the running. Clubs are going to want a manager who is not just waiting around for any job in the Premier League.
“With the Wayne Rooney one, they’ll feel he’s got a project at Derby that he will want to stay with until the end of the season at least. Maybe Rooney’s one they bring in next time a manager is struggling. I can see that.”
In other news, a medical expert ‘can’t rule out a severe injury’ for an Everton star after an official statement.