Shanghai SIPG coach Vitor Pereira. (File photo: Shine)
Shanghai SIPG coach Vitor Pereira has said that he will not be leaving his role at the Chinese Super League side to take charge at English Premier League club Everton.
The Portuguese manager, 51, was linked by British media with the role vacated by fellow countryman Marco Silva, who was sacked by the club last week when the Toffees dropped into the relegation zone after a crushing 5-2 defeat by derby rival Liverpool.
Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson, who was on the first team coaching staff under Silva, took over as interim coach and led the club to a 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday but he confirmed the club was on the lookout for a "top manager".
"It's always an honor and I am utterly grateful to be considered on a list by a club that I have so much respect for," Pereira told Sky Sports.
"At this point I am still the coach of SIPG, a club close to my heart in a country that is growing immensely in football. Currently I am not in a position to make any other commitments.
"I cannot decide now, I need time to think and plan my future by looking at all the options I have. It's a league I love and, yes, for sure I would love to consider an opportunity in the future."
Pereira won back-to-back Portuguese league titles with Porto between 2011-2013 and also won the CSL with the Shanghai club last year. This year, SIPG finished third in the CSL, behind winner Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guoan.
