Everton to hold talks with final three: Pereira, Lampard, Ferguson

Everton will hold a final round of talks with three candidates for the vacant manager role on Friday, with Vitor Pereira, Frank Lampard and current caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson in the frame.

The club continues its search for a successor to Rafael Benitez after the former Liverpool boss was relieved of his duties after just 200 days in the wake of Everton's recent 2-1 defeat to Norwich.

Former Porto and Fenerbahce manager Pereira has been in contention for the Everton job twice in the past, losing out to Roberto Martinez in 2013 followed by Marco Silva in 2018.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News on Wednesday, Pereira revealed he had received "good feedback" after talks over the role with Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright.

Lampard is looking for his first coaching opportunity since being sacked as Chelsea manager 12 months ago, while club legend Ferguson is currently in his second spell as caretaker manager.

Everton sit 16th in the Premier League and just four points above the relegation zone having won one and drawn three of their last 14 matches.

Not well. The Toffees are 16th in the Premier League having secured 19 points from 20 matches, with the side starting 2022 with three Premier League defeats.

A 2-1 loss to embattled Norwich was the final nail in the coffin of long-disliked manager Benitez and came just days after the club allowed France international Lucas Digne to join Aston Villa.

Fan favourite Duncan Ferguson took temporary charge but failed to steer Everton to a much-needed victory, with Aston Villa winning 1-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday with Digne providing the assist.

Fury fuelled by a need for change. Before Saturday's match a plane flew over