Frank Lampard appointed new Everton manager on two-and-a-half-year contract
- Sean Fisher
- 31 January 2022
Frank Lampard has been appointed as Everton manager, replacing the recently sacked Rafael Benitez.
The former Chelsea boss returned to management on Monday afternoon as Everton announced his appointment.
With experience at Derby County and Chelsea during his admittedly short managerial career, Frank Lampard joins the Toffees and will be on the sidelines for their FA Cup tie against Brentford.
But Lampard's main priority will be in the Premier League, where Everton currently sit 16th, just four points clear of the relegation zone.
✍️ | Everton Football Club can confirm the appointment of Frank Lampard as the Club’s new manager.
— Everton (@Everton) January 31, 2022
Following the announcement, Lampard said "It is a huge honour for me to represent and manage a club the size and tradition of Everton Football Club.
"I'm very hungry to get started. 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."
Lampard made the decision to keep current interim manager Duncan Ferguson as part of his coaching staff, but has opted for Joe Edwards as his assistant manager, Paul Clement as first-team coach and Chris Jones as coach and head of performance.
The 43-year-old intends to instill a togetherness that's been void from the club since the appointment of former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, and remains ambitious about their position in the league.
"You can feel the passion Everton fans have for their club. That will be hugely important," added Lampard.
"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.
"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."
Boss. 💙🤩 pic.twitter.com/hiXUZ7fGRi
— Everton (@Everton) January 31, 2022
Much of the criticism at Goodison Park of late has been not only directed at management, but also at the board.
Following Lampard's announcement, both owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright have expressed their praise for Lampard.
Mosihiri stated, "He is an impressive young man on and off the pitch. He has played at the very highest level of the game and has football in his blood.
"He impressed us all greatly during the thorough interview process and we're all ready to give him all of our support as he looks to give the team an immediate boost."
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."
