The Toffees began the process of looking for Rafa Benitez’s successor a fortnight ago and have lurched from one candidate to another, before finally settling on the Chelsea legend after the 43-year-old was interviewed for a second time this week.
On Wednesday it appeared that former Porto and Fenerbahce boss, Vitor Pereira, was the frontrunner, but his impending appointment was met with a furious backlash by an already disgruntled fanbase who had been less than enamoured with the decision to appoint Benitez in the summer.
Roberto Martinez, who spent three years at Goodison Park earlier in his managerial career, represented Everton’s first choice but they were unable to strike a deal with Belgium Football Association.
Caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson was also considered for a permanent role while Everton approached Rooney’s agent with a view to inviting him for an interview, but the former Manchester United captain is intent on guiding Derby County to Championship safety.
‘Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the job,’ Rooney said earlier on Friday.
‘But I turned it down. I believe I will be a Premier League manager and I am ready for that 100 per cent. But I have a job at Derby, which is important to me.’
Everton now face an anxious wait to find out whether or not Lampard will accept the job, but the Daily Telegraph claim they expect him to be in charge for next week’s fourth round FA Cup tie against Brentford.
Like Rooney, Lampard cut his managerial teeth at Derby before moving to Chelsea after just one full season at Pride Park.
Lampard helped the Blues secure unlikely qualification to the Champions League in his first year at the helm, despite operating under a transfer ban, before he was sacked last January and replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
The former England international was in the running to succeed Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace last summer and was also heavily linked to Newcastle before the club’s new owners decided to appoint Eddie Howe instead.
MORE : Frank Lampard back in frame for Everton job as Vitor Pereira considers pulling out amid fan backlash
MORE : Frank Lampard ahead of Vitor Pereira as race to be Everton’s new manager nears an end
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