LAST UPDATE | 23 Jan 2023
EVERTON HAVE SACKED manager Frank Lampard after less than a year in charge at Goodison Park.
The former Chelsea boss was appointed to replace Rafael Benitez in January 2022 but leaves with the side languishing 19th in the table, level on points with bottom club Southampton.
Leighton Baines, head coach of the club’s U18s, will take training alongside Paul Tait, and while Joe Edwards, Paul Clement, Ashley Cole and Chris Jones have also left as part of Lampard’s backroom team, goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly will remain in place.
A club statement read: “Everyone at Everton would like to thank Frank and his coaching staff for their service during what has been a challenging 12 months.
“Frank and his team’s commitment and dedication have been exemplary throughout their time at the Club, but recent results and the current league position meant this difficult decision had to be taken. We wish Frank and all his backroom team well for their future in the game.
“The Club has started the process to secure a new manager and will provide updates on the appointment in due course.
“Paul Tait and Leighton Baines will take training until a new manager is appointed.”
In a sign of the turmoil enveloping Everton, club directors were earlier this month ordered to stay away from Goodison Park due to perceived security risks.
Everton fell to a damaging 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham on Saturday — a ninth loss in their past 12 Premier League matches.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri had previously offered public backing for Lampard, 44.
But Moshiri, watching Everton for the first time in more than a year at the West Ham game, was far less supportive when asked after the match whether it was time for Lampard to be sacked.
“I can’t comment. It’s not my decision,” he told Sky Sports.
Speaking about his own future, Lampard said: “Those things are not my choice. It is my job to work, focus and keep my head down.
“I know there’s things going on at the club but it’s never been a consequence for me whether a chairman or board member is at the game.”
Everton felt compelled to act over Lampard’s future as they fight to avoid playing outside the top flight for the first time since 1954.
Lampard arrived at the club 12 months ago with the team languishing in 16th place and the former Chelsea and England midfielder initially looked a shrewd appointment, helping the Merseyside club avoid relegation.
However, he won only 12 of his 44 matches in charge in all competitions.
Former Burnley boss Sean Dyche, ex-Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa and West Ham’s former Everton manager David Moyes are among the potential candidates to replace Lampard, according to bookmakers.
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.
