Frank Lampard is reportedly set to be sacked by Everton, more than a year after he apparently turned down the chance to become Newcastle manager.
According to Sky Sports News, it is expected that the former Chelsea midfielder will be relieved of his duties at Goodison Park today. They state that a decision has been made that Lampard will not carry on his role as Everton manager, less than a year after he replaced former Toon hero Rafa Benitez.
The Toffees are currently 19th in the Premier League, and missed the chance to jump out of the relegation zone at the weekend. Instead, they lost 2-0 to West Ham at the London Stadium. That now looks set to be Lampard’s final game as manager.
Everton are enduring a shocking season, with tensions rising off the pitch. Fans want answers, but they aren’t getting them from the board. It is a messy situation on Merseyside – one that is very reminiscent of Mike Ashley’s Newcastle.
They have not won a Premier League game since October 22nd, and the defeat to West Ham appears to have sealed Lampard’s fate.
He is set to be sacked for the second time in his career, and his time at Goodison Park proves that Newcastle got a lucky escape shortly after the takeover.
Frank Lampard was a target for Newcastle after Steve Bruce was sacked
The first major change the new owners made at St James’ Park was to get rid of Steve Bruce. That decision kicked off a lengthy search for his replacement that ended with Eddie Howe taking charge.
He has been a revelation on Tyneside, guiding Newcastle to Premier League safety last season. Now his side are challenging for a place in the Champions League, proving that the Toon owners struck gold when they offered him a contract.
However, it could have been very different had PIF decided to go with someone else.
When they were looking for a new manager, Lampard was available. And he was reportedly on Newcastle’s radar to replace Bruce.
It was reported by the Telegraph that PIF were keen on someone like the former Derby boss, as they felt his reputation could help the club attract better players and sponsors to the club. Co-owner Jamie Reuben was also reportedly keen.
However, unlike PIF and Reuben, Lampard himself was not keen. The Mirror reported that he had concerns over the club’s ability to remain in the Premier League, and pulled himself out of the race to be appointed.
From that moment on, it looked like a lucky escape. He did not fancy the challenge.
Luckily, Howe did fancy it and the rest is history. As for Lampard, he nearly took Everton down last season after getting the job on January 31st 2022, and he is now set to be sacked after leading the Toffees into yet another relegation scrap.
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