Today, Monday, the English club Liverpool announced the dismissal of Frank Lampard from his position as technical director of the Everton team in the English Premier League, after a poor series of performance that left the team in a relegation battle.
Lampard’s last match in charge of the team was Saturday’s 2-0 league loss against West Ham United, which kept Everton second at the bottom of the table with 15 points after 20 matches, ahead of Southampton on goal difference, and two points from the safety zone. .
“The commitment and dedication of Frank and his team has been exemplary throughout their time at the club, but recent results and their current position in the league mean this difficult decision must be made,” the club said in a statement.
“Everyone at Everton would like to thank Frank and his coaching staff for their service during a challenging 12 months. We wish Frank and all his backroom team the very best for their future in the game,” the club added.
Joe Edwards, Paul Clement, Ashley Cole and Chris Jones also left the club. Alan Kelly will remain as goalkeeper coach.
The Merseyside side have been floundering under the former England international, having last won a league game in October when they beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at home.
Lampard was appointed by Everton in January 2022 after leading Chelsea from 2019-21 and Derby County in the second tier in 2018-19.
The 44-year-old was sacked by Chelsea in January 2021, after he returned to the west London club where he holds the goalscoring record.
He took charge of Everton after the Merseyside club parted ways with Rafa Benitez, and has continued through the managerial revolving door at a club struggling to revive its former glories.
Lampard’s immediate task was to rescue Everton from relegation with the club just four points clear of the relegation zone – a task he eventually managed in the penultimate game of the season as his side came from 2-0 down to beat Palace.
Having sold Brazilian striker Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur, he started the season with two consecutive defeats before Everton’s six-game unbeaten run sparked optimism.
But since beating Southampton on October 1, Everton have fallen badly with Lampard’s side unable to attack.
The equalizer against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve earned praise from Lampard and his team, but any hope they might point to a move up the table was dashed after three successive league defeats.
The club said Paul Tait and Leighton Baines would undergo training until a new manager could be appointed.
Next Everton will host leaders Arsenal on February 4 followed by the Merseyside derby in Liverpool on February 13.