Last Update: January 23, 2023, 22:23 IST
Relegation-threatened Everton have sacked manager Frank Lampard, less than a year in charge at the Goodison Park club, British media reported on Monday.
The former Chelsea boss was appointed to replace Rafael Benitez in January 2022 but was left level on points with bottom club Southampton, finishing 19th in the table.
In a sign of the turmoil engulfing Everton, the club’s directors were ordered to stay away from Goodison Park earlier this month because of alleged security risks.
Everton suffered a 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham on Saturday – their ninth defeat in their last 12 Premier League games.
Everton boss Farhad Moshiri has previously offered public support for Lampard, 44.
But Moshiri, watching Everton in a West Ham game for the first time in more than a year, was little helpful when asked after the match whether it was time to sack Lampard.
“I can’t comment. It’s not my decision,” he told Sky Sports.
Talking about his future, Lampard said: “These things are not my choice. It’s my job to work, focus and keep my head down.
“I know there are things going on at the club but it has never been of consequence to me that a chairman or a board member is at play.”
Everton felt compelled to act on Lampard’s future as they struggled to avoid relegation out of the top flight for the first time since 1954.
Lampard arrived at Everton 12 months ago with the team in 16th position and the former Chelsea and England midfielder initially saw a shrewd appointment that helped the Merseyside club avoid relegation.
– Fan Fury –
Buoyed by fervent support from their fans at Goodison Park, the Toffees beat a slump by winning three of their last six league matches, including a dramatic 3–2 success against Crystal Palace that retained their top-tier status. .
But Everton are now looking for their eighth permanent manager in less than seven years after Lampard failed to build on the momentum from that successful end to his last stint.
Lampard won only 12 of his 44 matches in charge of Everton in all competitions.
According to bookmakers, former Burnley boss Sean Dyche, former Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa and West Ham’s former Everton manager David Moyes are among the possible candidates to replace Lampard.
Al-Ittihad boss Nuno Espirito Santo, formerly of Wolves, and ex-Everton striker Wayne Rooney, now in charge of MLS side DC United, have also been mooted as possible contenders.
Hampered by the sale of Brazil forward Richardson to Tottenham in the close season, Everton managed only three wins in 20 league games against a backdrop of growing fan fury.
There have been widespread protests against the board and Lampard in recent games.
Supporters staged a sit-in after the recent defeat at Southampton, with Everton defender Yerry Mina and teammate Anthony Gordon clashing with fans as they left Goodison Park in their cars.
Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer as a player, began his managerial career at Derby.
He led Derby to the Championship play-off final at Pride Park in his only season in charge, which ended in defeat to Aston Villa at Wembley.
Lampard took Chelsea to the Champions League during his one full season as manager at Stamford Bridge, but was sacked in January 2021 with the Blues in ninth place in the Premier League.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)