Frank Lampard offered Everton manager’s job after owner Moshiri’s U-turn

The former Chelsea and Derby County manager is set to take charge at Goodison Park after being offered the role following interviews on Friday

Frank Lampard has been offered the Everton job after owner Farhad Moshiri made a major U-turn over hiring Vitor Pereira.

The Portuguese coach had been the Toffees owner’s No.1 choice ahead of interviews with the pair and caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson on Friday – despite protests from supporters earlier this week.

But it was former Chelsea and Derby manager Lampard who most impressed Moshiri and the club’s board in London on Friday to land the job.

Billionaire Blues owner Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, non executive director Graeme Sharp and finance director Grant Ingles spent the afternoon and early evening interviewing their three-man shortlist.

And ultimately Moshiri, who has spent more than £500million on players since he bought the club six years ago, but still finds Everton in a worse position than when he arrived, elected to hand Lampard the reins after dismissing Rafa Benitez.

Pereira was the Monaco based owner’s preferred choice ahead of the interviews – despite the fan backlash, with protests in the city of Liverpool and at Goodison Park, earlier in the week.

Pereira and Ferguson were both allowed to deliver their vision for the club.

Mirror Football understands the three coaches were all asked to present their plans on how to ensure Everton’s Premier League survival, and a longer term blueprint for how the club will change its fortunes after years or under-achievement at Goodison.

Now Lampard 43, will finalise his contract with the Toffees in the next 24 hours before an official announcement which could come over the weekend.

And he may well get the opportunity to make additions to the squad before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Moshiri is keen to end a cycle which has seen him sack six permanent managers in six years, while the board made clear that they needed an appointment that wouldn’t further alienate supporters.

Lampard has been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea 12 months ago. He was overlooked by Norwich when they turned to Dean Smith after sacking Daniel Farke back in November.