A manager who was once favourite to be Rafa Beneitez's successor at Everton is now in line for a Premier League job with Wolverhampton Wanderers
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Vitor Pereira has been approached by Wolves
Vitor Pereira has been approached by Wolves after they sacked Gary O'Neil
Vitor Pereira is on Wolverhampton's managerial shortlist after the sacking of Gary O'Neil - but he was twice close to joining Everton.
The Portuguese manager is currently in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. They are currently sixth in the table, two points behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr FC.
The Midlands-based team are now prepared to pay the release clause in the 56-year-olds contract as they search for their new manager following the sacking of O'Neil.
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The Englishman's tenure ended shortly after Wolves were beaten at Molineux by a 94th minute Ipswich winner. He leaves the team 19th in the Premier League with only two wins from 16 matches.
This will be Pereira's first time managing in England, although this opportunity could have come earlier had he got the job at Everton. He was once the favourite to replace Rafa Benitez in 2022 and Pereira seemed confident he would get the job.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Everton manager Rafael Benitez speaks to Anthony Gordon of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on November 7, 2021 in Liverpool, England.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Everton manager Rafael Benitez speaks to Anthony Gordon of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on November 7, 2021 in Liverpool, England.
He told Sky Sports back in 2022: "What I felt from the club, I think they were enthusiastic [about] what I proposed to them: an intensive game, a pressing game, a game with possession.
"We need to give confidence again to the players and the team. We need to approach the fantastic supporters to the team again.
"This is what I proposed to them and what I felt in the meetings is that they were very positive with the interviews. The feedback from the interviews was good feedback."
In the end, criticism from the fans was enough to turn the Toffees away from the Portuguese boss. Graffiti was spotted on Goodison Park which read: "Pereira out, [Frank] Lampard in." The former Chelsea man eventually got the job where he stayed for less than a year.
Pereira was also interviewed for a job as Everton boss back in 2013 after the departure of David Moyes. Again, the Al Shabab manager was unsuccessful when Roberto Martinez beat him to it.
Wolves and Everton are set to face each other next in March next year. If Pereira gets the job at Molineux, it could be an awkward meeting with the Merseyside fans.