Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is ready to target Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira, who is out of contract in the summer according to Goal.com
Everton are keeping close tabs on Porto manager Vitor Pereira as they prepare for the possible exit of David Moyes in the summer
Goodison Park chairman Bill Kenwright is an admirer of the Portuguese, who was a guest of the club at a Premier League match over the Christmas period.
Roberto Martinez is also high on Everton’s wish list if Moyes decides to quit the Merseysiders at the end of the season.
The Scot has said he will wait to see how the campaign ends before he commits himself to negotiations about extending his contract, which expires in June.
Kenwright admitted last week that the uncertainty over Moyes has left the club in a difficult position.
“[Moyes] has made a simple statement: ‘Give me to the end of the season’. He knows in making that statement it is not the easiest one for the football club and he’s acknowledged that to me,” the Everton chairman said.
“Hopefully in seven weeks’ time when the last match has been played we will sit down and have the five minutes that David has alluded to for the last six months or so, that will sort out a new contract, a new adventure and keep David Moyes at Everton.
“If it doesn’t, the man leaves with his head held high.”
Although Kenwright has claimed no plans are in place for what would be the club’s first change of manager in 11 years, it is understood that an informal list of possible successors is being compiled.
Martinez is much admired by Everton chiefs for maintaining Wigan’s Premier League status on a shoestring budget, while Pereira has also emerged as a potential target.
The 44-year-old steered Porto to the league title during his first season at the helm and the club are unbeaten in the Portuguese Liga this season even though they lie four points adrift of leaders Benfica.
Pereira, who cut his management teeth in the Portuguese lower leagues before spending a season as Andre Villas-Boas’ No.2 during Porto’s 2010-11 treble-winning campaign, won plaudits for leading Porto out of the Champions League group stages this season before they were eliminated at the last-16 stage by Malaga last month.
Everton and Monaco are among the clubs believed to be closely monitoring his situation at Porto.
Pereira’s current two-year contract expires in the summer and it is understood that talks have not yet begun on a new deal.