Relegation-threatened Everton have sacked supervisor Frank Lampard after lower than a yr in cost on the Goodison Park membership, British media reported on Monday. The former Chelsea boss was appointed to switch Rafael Benitez in January 2022 however leaves with the aspect languishing nineteenth within the desk, stage on factors with backside membership Southampton. In an indication of the turmoil enveloping Everton, membership administrators have been earlier this month ordered to keep away from Goodison Park attributable to perceived safety dangers.

Everton fell to a dangerous 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham on Saturday — a ninth loss of their previous 12 Premier League matches. Everton proprietor Farhad Moshiri had beforehand supplied public backing for Lampard, 44.

But Moshiri, watching Everton for the primary time in additional than a yr on the West Ham recreation, was far much less supportive when requested after the match whether or not it was time for Lampard to be sacked. “I can’t comment. It’s not my decision,” he informed Sky Sports.

Speaking about his personal future, Lampard stated: “Those things are not my choice. It is my job to work, focus and keep my head down.

“I do know there’s issues happening on the membership nevertheless it’s by no means been a consequence for me whether or not a md or board member is on the recreation.”

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 Everton 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.

Fan fury

Fuelled by fervent backing from their fans at Goodison Park, the Toffees beat the drop by winning three of their last six league matches, including a dramatic 3-2 success against Crystal Palace that preserved 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 last term. Lampard won only 12 of his 44 matches in charge of Everton 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. Hampered by the sale of Brazil forward Richarlison to Tottenham in the close season, Everton managed only three wins in 20 league games this term against a backdrop of mounting fan fury.

There have been widespread protests against the board and Lampard at recent games. Supporters staged a sit-in demonstration after the recent loss to Southampton, with Everton defender Yerry Mina and team-mate Anthony Gordon confronted by fans when they left Goodison Park in their cars.

Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer as a player, started his managerial career at Derby. He led Derby to the Championship play-off final in his only season in charge at Pride Park, which ended in defeat by Aston Villa at Wembley.

Lampard took Chelsea into the Champions League during his one full season as manager at Stamford Bridge, but was dismissed in January 2021 with the Blues in ninth place in the Premier League.

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