Vitor Pereira is considering 'pulling out' of the race to become Everton's next permanent manager.
The 53-year-old has been strongly linked with the vacant role and was last night backed to be appointed by the Blues by various news outlets.
News of Pereira's potential hiring has not been well-received by some Everton supporters who have expressed their disapproval by staging protests outside the Liver Building and spraying 'Pereira out' graffiti on a wall outside the ground.
The Daily Mail claim the Portuguese has since been made aware of these developments and has been left feeling 'sad'.
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The former Fenerbahce and Porto coach has also informed the Mail that he is not represented by an agent but by a lawyer, applying for the job through Bill Kenwright.
It had been suggested that Kia Joorabchian has been influential in Pereira's recommendation, having reportedly been consulted prior to his appointment at German side 1860 Munich in 2016.
Pereira’s potential withdrawal is 'set to open the door to Frank Lampard being appointed', the Mail add, with the former Chelsea manager having also been considered by the Everton board.