Frank Lampard set to get Everton job as fans vent fury at Vitor Pereira

Ferguson, caretaker after the sacking of Rafa Benitez, is a surprise candidate given it had appeared to be a straight shoot-out between Pereira and Lampard. All three are due for talks today.

Lampard was interviewed for a second time yesterday, in another twist to the club’s search. The former Chelsea and Derby County manager is under serious consideration to land the Goodison job, while Everton have already spoken to former Porto and Olympiacos boss Pereira, in a move which has infuriated some club supporters.

Ferguson was on the original shortlist along with Roberto Martinez, but Everton failed to persuade the Royal Belgium FA to allow the manager to do the job in a World Cup year.

It had been thought that Ferguson, who has been Everton’s assistant under Carlo Ancelotti and Benitez and was in charge for last weekend’s home defeat a to Aston Villa, had fallen out of contention but he remains in the running. The 50-year-old ex-Everton striker believes the time is right for him to take over.

Everton interviewed former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro last week, but he has not made the final round of talks. Neither has former player Wayne Rooney, Derby manager, although it is unclear whether he was interviewed.

Pereira, who flew to England on Monday with his coaching staff, was on the brink of being named as Benitez’s successor earlier this week, but it was delayed after owner Farhad Moshiri decided to take more time.

Sacked by Fenerbahce in December, Pereira attempted to ease the tension by agreeing to an unusual interview with Sky Sports in which he spoke about his talks with Everton, but that move was not well-received by supporters.

Graffiti at Goodison Park appeared to back Lampard’s appointment, with the words ‘Pereira Out, Lampard In’.