Everton managerial candidate Vitor Pereira took the unusual step of conducting an interview live on Sky Sports this afternoon.
The 53-year-old confirmed several meetings have taken place between himself and members of the Blues hierarchy.
He was asked about how he came onto Everton's radar, what his pitch was to the board - and what he made of graffiti outside Goodison Park that called for the club to select Frank Lampard instead of him.
Here is a full transcript of what Pereira said...
Great to speak to you, thank you so much for sparing the time. Obviously there's plenty we want to discuss here. First of all, just take us through the story, how did you come to be in contention for the Everton job? When did you first hear about it?
Pereira: Hello it's a pleasure to be here.
A few years ago, when I finished my work in Porto, I was introduced to Mr Bill Kenwright, when I finished my contracts.
Since then we kept a good relationship and in this moment the club, the board, are asking me to come for a meeting.
Ok they've asked you to come for a meeting, does that mean you've had an interview? Would you say that you were interviewed by Farhad Moshiri or anyone else at the club? Could you tell us more about the process?
Pereria: I had a few interviews, not just one. I few interviews with different people at the club.
Can you tell us more information about that? In terms of what you can disclose to us, Vitor, how did those interviews go? Was there anything in particular that was discussed?
Pereira: We discussed about everything. I discussed with different people on the board. I gave them my point of view about the club, what I think about the team, because they asked me to come.
Farhad Moshiri was one of them. Bill Kenwright. And other people in the club.
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What was your pitch to try and turn things around?
Pereira: A few years ago I remember Everton at the time of Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Howard. I remember Goodison Park as a fortress. The passion of the supporters. This is what appealed to me.
This is a historical club. The challenge for me is to approach again the spirit, the club, to the fans. To get again this kind of fire on the pitch that I watched a few years ago.
Ok, so based on the idea you want to return Everton to greatness. The side that was dominant alongside Liverpool in the 80s winning leagues, cups. What about the notion of project? Is there any way particularly you think the club should be structured or managed in order to help that along and to make them rise up the league table?
Pereira: You know I'm not the coach, I'm not the manager.
But I think the first decision, as a manager in the club, is to bring again the organisation, the pressing game, the intense game that I saw a few years ago.
For me, to watch a match in Goodison Park was something that inspired me. This is the spirit. To see the passion of the supporters again, the intensity, and to make the other teams feel that Goodison is a fortress and it's very difficult to play there.
This is the spirit and the way to play that I want to bring again to the club, or that a manager - has to bring to the club.
How was that received, what was your vibe? Whenever you do an interview, it doesn't matter what it is, you often get a sense of how it went. What was that for you?
Pereira: I think they were enthusiastic on what I proposed to them.
An intense game, a pressing game, a game with possession. This is a confidence we need to give to the players again.
We need to approach the fantastic supporters to the team again. This is what I proposed to them. What I felt in the meetings, was that they were very positive with interviews.
It's obviously unusual to hear from one of the candidates for a vacancy in the Premier League while that job is still open.
What is the upshot of that conversation? Are you still in the mix, have they told you 'no'? What's the latest state of play?
Pereira: They have other candidates. This is a time for decisions.
Have they categorically told you that you're not the man to replace Rafa Benitez?
Pereira: No, no. Just to wait for the decision, to be calm. They are grateful for the interviews, and that's all.
Can I just ask some questions on the timeframe. When was your last conversation with the club and how long are they expecting you to wait for a decision?
Pereira: We keep what we talk about in interviews with us. But what I can say to you: the feedback from the interviews was good feedback.
Good feedback from the club and those you were interviewed by, what about the reaction of fans and on social media? What's your take on that?
Pereira: In my opinion, some of the critics are not for me. They don't know me very well: my work or me as a person. They don't know my CV.
I worked in a lot of countries. Different clubs, different levels. We got several titles.
Before you start work, before you know the person, you cannot judge. But I understand the feeling of supporters.
In the last year, the club didn't get good results. It is normal they are not happy. But when I came here, I came with spirit, intention, passion to bring again good football.
This is my goal. This is my target.
We were just showing on air some graffiti that was on a wall at Goodison Park saying "Pereira out, Lampard in". I'm sure you're not wanting to have any kind of fight with Frank Lampard at all, you're simply candidates applying for the same vacancy. When you see this, does that hurt? When you see that basic criticism?
Pereira: Of course. This is the first time in my career that I see these kind of things. I have never had these kind of comments about me.
I have my CV and My CV speaks for itself.
But I think these critics are not directing [things] at me. It is the environment now, because the club is not in a good position.
The supporters have passion. This passion is the power of this club. I remember very well when I watched the games of Everton a few years ago. Sometimes, the supporters won the game. The spirit of the supporters.
Passion in football can be to the positive side or the negative side. In this moment, a manager should bring this positive passion from supporters. I don't take it as a personal attack.
You mention passion, it's absolutely right not just in the context of the club you want to join but the city in which the club is located. It's very easy for someone to have an opinion with social media and look at a few facts about your CV, you mention your CV stands the test. But an Everton fan who might not be in favour of your appointment might say, 'Well look, he was sacked by Fenerbahce after six months in charge, and was relegated with 1860 Munich'. Do they have a point?
Pereira: But you know in the career, even the top managers in the world...We have eight titles in different countries, it's not easy to get, it's not for everybody.
Different countries, teaching young players. I started my career in Porto. It is a club that forms top coaches and players around the world.
But we cannot have a career with everything positive.
In Munich, it was a very difficult money situation. They didn't have money and they were relegated because of the money. They could not pay to manage the club.
It was difficult to deal with this kind of situation and it was a very short time. You cannot look for the negative things. You must look at how many titles in different countries that I've got.
Do you feel there might be a concern that a negative reaction in some quarters to your potential appointment may have had an effect on the decision-making process?
Pereira: This is something that I cannot control. But, what I want to tell you, all of my career: I've worked under pressure.
I've worked at clubs that can't draw one game. For the manager, the pressure must be the fuel to be at the best level.
But the decision [from Everton] is something I cannot control.
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You're waiting for the club to make a decision, you've been asked to be patient. You're presumably still interested in this vacancy?
Pereira: Yes of course, I don't have doubts.
I'm not waiting, I'm just ok. I did my work as a professional. But now the decision is the club's decision.
I came from a meeting. I did my work. Now the decision is not controlled by me.
If you were to be appointed, how important is it that that appointment comes in the next few days with the January transfer window in a few days time? Ultimately if you're going to shape a squad, how important is it that the decision comes sooner rather than later?
Pereira: I cannot speak as a manager because I'm not the manager. I can speak about these matters if they decide for me [to become] the manager.
Presumably for you, you'd rather have some funds at your disposal to make signings before 11pm on Monday 31st January wouldn't you?
Pereira: Of course. But I cannot speak about this because I am not the manager of the club. You must understand this.
If there was a message you'd like to send to Everton fans...obviously they'll be incredibly interested and fascinated by what you've had to say. What would that message to them be?
Pereira: I built my career with passion, organisation and competence. This is what I can offer to the club.
Every time I give 100% of me. Football for me is 24 hours thinking about football. This is my life and my passion.
A game with intensity, organisation, defensive spirit, aggressive spirit. This is what I can offer with my work.
What would you like the next step to be? The obvious answer is that they offer you the job, I don't mean that. But what would you like the next step as Everton is concerned? Do you want this process to start accelerating a little bit?
Pereira: I will move forward with my life. If they want me: they must call me. Thank you very much. That's all.
For utter clarity, do you believe you will be the next Everton manager?
Pereira: This is something I cannot control. I'm a professional, I did my work, now I wait for the decision. That's all.
The Premier League as a whole, is that an ambition of yours, would that be fair? Arguably the most competitive league in the world?
Pereira: I am sure that now or in the future, I will be in the Premier League.
We heard your phone ringing in the background there, was that Everton?
Pereira: No!
In terms of your passion to join this football club, could you maybe just give us a little detail on that? Players or sights in the past? Any particular memories that have stood out?
Pereira: I spoke about some players that I keep in my mind. From Jagielka, Baines, Howard, Coleman. Big players. Fantastic leaders in the club. I remember the time Goodison was a fortress.
