Vitor Pereira gives incredible interview as he fights Frank Lampard for Everton job

Vitor Pereira has given an extraordinary interview while Everton decide if he is the man to manage the club following a huge backlash at his potential appointment.

We revealed that Pereira was emerging as the lead candidate before being informed by the 53-year-old that was considering pulling out of the race in the wake of fan protests.

He has now admitted that stinging criticism has hurt him but is still throwing his hat in the ring for the job and explained his side of the situation in an unprecedented interview on Sky Sports News.

Vitor Pereira gave an extraordinary interview while Everton decide if he is the man for the job

Angry Everton fans have ramped up protests over the potential appointment of Pereira

He told Sky Sports News: 'Of course (it hurts) this is first time in my career I've seen these kind of things and comments. 

'My CV speaks for itself but I think these critics are not reacting to me, it is the environment now because the club is not in a good position. 

'Sometimes the supporters at Everton can win the game with passion, it can be on the positive or negative side. A manager needs to bring positive passion from supporters. I don't take it personally.'

And when asked what his vision is for the club, he explained: 'I think the first decision as a manager in the club is to bring again the organisation, the way to press, the pressing game, the intensity I saw a few years ago. 

'For me to watch a match there was something inspiring, this is the spirit to see the passion of the fans again, the intensity and to make the feeling in the other teams that Goodison is a fortress and it is hard to play there. That is what I want or a manager has to bring to the club.'

Bill Kenwright and owner Farhad Moshiri (right) are subject to intensifying fury from fans

Frank Lampard is in pole position for the Everton job if Pereira is decided against

And he was encouraged by the response of Bill Kenwright, Farhad Moshiri and the board, adding: 'I think they were enthusiastic about what I proposed to them, an intense pressing game with possession and this is a confidence we need to give to these players, to approach the fantastic supporters to the team again. What I felt in the meetings is that they were very positive with the interviews.'

Some Everton fans pointed to his dismissal at 1860 Munich as an example of why he would not be up to the challenge at Goodison Park but the candidate argued that even the top managers do not succeed everywhere they go, pointing to financial constraints as the reason for that particular disappointment. 

He said: 'In the career, if you look for the managers, even top managers, we have titles, it is not easy to get in different countries. 

'Teaching young players, I started my career with eight years in Porto, the players and coaches you know it is a club that have top coaches and players. 

'We cannot have a career with everything just positive things, in Munich it was a tough money situation, they didn't have it because they didn't have money and could not pay the players or manager, it is difficult to deal with this in a very short time. You must look for everything, the titles too.'

And if appointed, Pereira knows how important it will be to have the fans onside,  saying: 'In my opinion some of the critics are not for me because they don't know me well, they don't know my work or me as a person or my CV. 

The Toffees are in a dire state at the moment and are trying to avoid a relegation battle 

'I worked at different clubs, different levels, several titles. Before you know the person you cannot judge. I understand the feeling of the fans because the last years the club did not get good results, it is normal they are not happy. 

'I came here with intention and passion to bring back good football and this is my target.'

And when asked to confirm whether he is still hoping to be selected for the role, he confirmed: 'Yes of course, I still want the job and don't have doubts. I did my work as a professional and now it is the club's decision. I came from a meeting, did the work and now the decision is not controlled by me.

'All my career I built it with passion, organisation, competence and this is what I can offer to the club, the clubs I work at, I give 100 per cent of me. Football for me is 24 hours a day, it is my life and passion. This is what I can offer to the fans.'

Pereira has made clear that he is not represented by an agent but by a lawyer and that he applied for the job through Kenwright, who he has known for six years.

Duncan Ferguson is a hugely popular interim boss but is likely to be replaced soon 

Owner Moshiri and agent Kia Joorabchian - whose known involvement in deals at Everton were the incomings of Carlo Ancelotti, Richarlison, Bernard and Anwar El Ghazi - have also faced criticism from fans over the expected appointment of Pereira. 

Whether Pereira's interview causes the club to end their consideration of him remains to be seen but his loss could be Frank Lampard's gain.  

Lampard has strong support from sections of the Everton board. 

CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale understood to be pushing the Chelsea legend’s claims at boardroom level, and is now emerging as lead contender for the position.