Just days away from completing one year at Everton, Frank Lampard has been sacked after a poor run of form for the team. Everton have not won their last 10 games in all competitions and are in the relegation zone of the Premier League. Lampard, who has previously managed Derby County and Chelsea, had signed a two-and-a-half year contract that ran until June 2024.
Frank Lampard has been sacked by Everton after a winless run that saw them drop to 19th in the Premier League.
Everton have not won a match in all competitions since October 22 and club owner Farhad Moshiri made a rare appearance at a game this season when attending their 2-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday.
Lampard was appointed nearly exactly 12 months ago on January 31 and guided the Toffees to safety in his first season after an intense relegation fight.
However, this campaign has seen just three wins in the Premier League from 20 games with only Southampton below the Merseyside team on goal difference.
The club confirmed the dismissal over four hours after it was reported in the media.
“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,” said an official statement.
“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.”
Everton’s poor form and the disgruntlement of fans with the club hierarchy have led to protests, and the board of directors was even told to avoid a recent home game against Southampton due to a ‘real and credible threat’ to their safety.
It brings Lampard’s third managerial job to an untimely end, following spells at Derby County and Chelsea.
The former England midfielder took the job midway through last season, succeeding Rafa Benitez with the club hovering four points above the drop zone in 16th place.
That was where they ultimately finished, avoiding the drop by four points after a strong end to the season in which they beat the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
But the Toffees’ recent run cost Lampard his job. Everton have the lowest number of wins in the Premier League this season, three from 20 matches.
Everton are on a four-match losing run and are winless in the Premier League in their last eight games.
But the two most recent defeats were particularly painful, coming against direct relegation rivals Southampton and West Ham.
Everton’s Alex Iwobi said after the 2-0 defeat to the Hammers on Sunday that the players were behind Lampard.
“(Pressure) is nothing new to us, we were in the same situation last season. We have a break coming up and we have to regroup,” Iwobi said.
“It is not just the manager who takes responsibility, the players are fighting for him and the club.”
