Frank Lampard is due to hold further talks with Everton on Thursday after his hopes of becoming their manager were boosted by a fan protest against leading candidate Vitor Pereira.
Lampard was expected to be interviewed for a second time — and the former Chelsea boss is firmly in the frame to take over at the Merseyside club.
In extraordinary scenes on Wednesday, angry Everton fans daubed graffiti over Goodison Park with the words ‘Pereira Out, Lampard In’.
Lampard has been out of management for a year since being sacked by Chelsea last January.
Everton’s board know they are facing a huge backlash if they do not get their next appointment right after Rafa Benitez’s disastrous six months in charge.
Pereira emerged a surprise favourite after impressing owner Farhad Moshiri, but Everton fans have made it clear they want Lampard.
Pereira yesterday took part in an extraordinary interview, stating his own credentials for the job.
He said: “[The Everton fans] don’t know me or my work. I don’t take it as a personal attack.
“Before you start work, if you don’t know the person you cannot judge. But I understand the fans’ feelings because, in the last few years, the club didn’t get good results.”
