Frank Lampard is expecting a formal offer to become the next manager of Everton, after a final round of interviews on Friday.
But in the absence of an announcement from Goodison owner Farhad Moshiri, the club indicated late last night that NO offer had yet been made, and two candidates remain in contention to replace Rafa Benitez.
Lampard is now clearly the favourite to take the hot seat at the Mersey club, after impressing in his interview with Moshiri and his board at a secret location in London on Friday.
But the other two coaches on the shortlist also impressed - with fans’ favourite Duncan Ferguson said to have come across particularly well in his meeting with the Everton executive.
As Moshiri met with chairman Bill Kenwright and the rest of his board deep into Friday night, there was no white smoke to indicate a decision had been made, leaving Ferguson with the hope he would still get the job of his dreams.
Sources close to Lampard suggested they believe they received indications they had been offered the chance to become Moshiri’s seventh permanent manager in six years.
But no formal offer had been made as late as 10pm on Friday, with the board deciding to delay their decision as they weighed up the two candidates.
The third name on the short list, Vitor Pereira is said to have been passionate in his presentation to the club, but he seems to have been fatally damaged by the backlash against him from Everton supporters.
They protested in the streets around Goodison when the news was revealed earlier in the week that he was Moshiri’s preferred candidate, and as he was all but offered the job.
Now Lampard is in a similar position and he is confident he will receive a physical contract offer on Saturday, as the club hope to make the appointment before the weekend is out.
Moshiri told all three candidates that they would be given backing before the January transfer window closes if they got the job, with the Blues hoping to bring in a couple of new signings before Monday night.
Lampard identified the players he would like to bring in, with several loan signings suggested, and that may just sway the decision in his favour.
