What Frank Lampard told Gary Neville may be key to Everton job

You wonder what would have been going through Frank Lampard's head if he was settling down for an early tea and tuned into Sky Sports News at 4pm on Wednesday.

Vitor Pereira, the man who the former Chelsea and Derby County boss is in contention with for the vacant Everton job, dialled in to the studio and embarked on an on-air pitch for the position.

It was a move not well received by Evertonians - many of whom have already shared their opposition to the appointment of the Portuguese - and another embarrassing moment for the club in the latest scattered managerial search.

Be it due to the vehement negative reaction or the act of Pereira betraying the not-yet-concluded interview process, surely there's no way the former Porto boss can be offered the job at Goodison now?

But this is Everton. So you never know.

If Pereira has indeed tied his own shoelaces together, then a lot of focus will turn to Lampard.

Just as the ECHO understands Pereira is not necessarily the front-runner for the Everton position, it's understood the iconic former Chelsea midfielder is also in the mix for the role.

As much as Everton have some time on their side when it comes to this appointment - the next Premier League game is on February 8, with a showdown against Brentford in the FA Cup three days earlier - they will want to decisive rather than dally.

Crucially, with the days ticking down in the transfer window and no manager, director of football or recruitment team in situ, it's unclear who will will make the decisions on any potential acquisitions to a squad that's taken six points from the last 42 available in the Premier League.

Given the simmering sense of urgency among supporters, Everton may be encouraged by remarks made by