Everton have appointed Frank Lampard as their new permanent manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract until Summer 2024.
Lampard’s arrival comes two weeks after Everton fired Rafael Benitez following a disastrous slump in form, with the 43 year-old having seen off competition from ex Portugal manager – Vitor Pereira plus current interim Everton boss – Duncan Ferguson to secure the job.
The move to Goodison Park will also mark a return to management for Lampard after a year out of the game following his sacking as Chelsea manager in January 2021, after just 18 months in charge of the club where he spent majority of his playing career between 2001-2014.
Prior to his spell at Chelsea as a manager, Lampard made his managerial bow at Derby County where he was in charge for only 2018-19 season, during which he guided Derby to that season’s Championship Play-Off Final, only to miss out on promotion after a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Speaking about his decision to return to management with Everton, Lampard admitted that the job “is a huge honour” to take charge of the Toffees but is “very hungry” to get stuck into the job as Everton battle for Premier League survival.
Acknowledging Everton owner, Forhad Moshiri, board and fans, Lampard added: “After speaking to the owner, Chairman and the Board, I very much felt their passion and ambition. I hope they felt my ambition and how hard I want to work to bring it together.
“You can feel the passion Everton fans have for their club. That will be hugely important.”
On what fans can expect from the team throughout the rest of this season and beyond, Lampard commented: “As a team – the competitive level that the Premier League brings and the position we are in the table – we certainly need that. It’s a two-way thing.
“I think Everton is a unique club in that you can really understand what the fans want to see. The first thing they want is fight and desire and that must always be our baseline.”
Lampard also fired a warning to his new playing squad in which he said: “My first message to the players will be that we have to do this together. We’ll try to do our job and I know the fans will be there backing us.”
In terms of playing style that he would implement, Lampard teased that fans should expect to see an “exciting and aggressive” style of play with the ability to “control games with possession,” with confidence and active movement in their crossing and shot making up front.
Moshiri meanwhile is “really delighted” to secure Lampard as Benitez’s successor given his English footballing experience on and off the pitch, having ‘impressed’ in his interview and has vowed to provide him with maximum support.
Everton Chairman, Bill Kenwright added: “Frank impressed us greatly throughout our process, coming across as a modern, ambitious and exciting young manager.
“He expressed a clear vision on how he wants to take the club forward and, importantly, a tremendous passion and genuine enthusiasm to join us.”
Lampard will be supported by Joe Edwards who will be his Assistant Manager, whilst Paul Clement and Chris Jones will be First-Team Coaches, with Jones also taking up the Head of Performance role.
Lampard’s first match in charge of Everton will see the Toffees host Brentford at Goodison Park on Saturday 5 February in the Fourth Round of 2021-22 FA Cup, albeit in an untelevised 3pm GMT kick-off.
As a player, Lampard scored 10 goals against Everton which all came during his time as a Chelsea player, with the ex England midfielder failing to find the net for West Ham and Manchester City either side of his stint at Stamford Bridge.
Leave a Reply