Who is Vitor Pereira? Everton manager links and latest odds explained - agent, tactics and style of play

A surprise name has emerged in the betting markets to become next Everton manager as former Fenerbache head coach Vitor Pereira has been backed in to odds on to land the role.

The 53-year old, who has also managed other big European names such as Porto and Olympiacos, has shot above the likes of Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard after various reports linking him with Toffees’ job.

It has also been rumoured that businessman Kia Joorabchian, who has been described as a “super agent” despite not being a licensed agent, has suggested Pereira to the Everton hierarchy after being spotted in the director’s box at Goodison during their 1-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend.

Here is everything you need to know about Vitor Pereira, the current betting market and what has been reported.

Who is Vitor Pereira? Coaching credentials and style of play

Vitor Pereira is a 53-year old Portuguese head coach who has previously been in charge of top European sides Porto, Olympiacos, 1860 Munich and Fenerbache.

He has also worked in Asia and the Middle-East, managing the likes of Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia and Shanghai SIPG in China.

His most successful spell as a head coach came at Porto between 2011 and 2013 after he was promoted to the role from the assistant manager’s position and guided the club to back-to-back Primeira Liga titles in 2011-12 and 2012-2013.

He won further top division titles with Olympiacos in 2015 and Shanghai in 2018.

Although he did not bring success in the form of silverware to Fenerbache, he gained notoriety for his attacking style of play and tactics with the Turkish outfit.

Pereira would often start with a back three formation, usually a 3-4-2-1, and his side scored 41 goals in 25 matches before he was sacked in December 2021.

Of his 25 games in charge at Fenerbache he won 11, drew even and lost seven.

Who is Kia Joorabchian? Could “super agent” play a part in Everton manager search

Kia Joorabchian is a 50-year old Iranian businessman who has been called a “super agent” by many despite not actually being a licensed football agent.

Premier League fans may recognise the name due to his involvement in Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano’s infamous moves to West Ham in 2006.

Joorabchian was spotted in the director’s box at Goodison Park for Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend and some media outlets are reporting that he may be the one who is touting Pereira to the Toffees’ hierarchy.

Next Everton manager odds

The odds on the next permanent Everton manager have changed drastically over the weekend with Vitor Pereira coming from nowhere to become the new odds on favourite.

Betfair have the Portuguese as 4/11 on to take the role with previous favourite Wayne Rooney now joint second with former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard at 6/1.

Current interim head coach Duncan Ferguson is priced at 9/1 to land the job on a permanent basis.

The current market looks like this:

• Vitor Pereira - 4/11
• Wayne Rooney - 6/1
• Frank Lampard 6/1
• Duncan Ferguson - 9/1
• Fabio Cannavaro - 11/1
• Jose Mourinho - 14/1
• Roberto Martinez - 14/1
• Graham Potter - 16/1
• Paulo Fonesca - 19/1
• Lucien Favre - 20/1
• Sam Allardyce - 20/1
• Genaro Gattuso - 20/1
• Niko Kovac - 20/1

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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