By Safiu Kehinde
Former Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard is nearing a return to the Premier League as he appeared to be leading candidate for Everton’s managerial role.
The Toffees had recently sacked Rafa Benitez following a decline in the club’s performance which left them in relegation-threatening zone. Ever since, Duncan Ferguson had taken over as the interim boss while the club searched for a replacement.
Pitched alongside Wayne Rooney and Fabio Cannavaro, Frank Lampard emerged as a potential replacement and the fans’ favourite.
Everton’s majority owner, Farhad Moshiri had earlier revealed plans to secure the service of Portuguese coach, Vitor Pereira. With representatives already sent to Goodison Park for negotiation, Everton fans were quick to turn down the deal before it could even materialize. In reaction to Moshiri’s decision, they had daubed Graffiti at the stadium which read ‘Pereira out, Lampard in’.
Despite having edge over Lampard in terms of achievement, Pereira looks likely to back off from the Everton job following the fans’ disapproval of his appointment. This made Lampard, who came second after the Portuguese, emerge as the leading candidate.
According to The Independent, Lampard had earlier conducted a positive interview for the job and the development of the process may play into his hands. He is perceived by many as one of the strongest potential mid-season appointments.
He started his coaching career few years ago at Derby County. Renowned for developing crop of young players like Mason Mount, Reece James, and Fikayo Tomori, he earned the job to resuscitate a Chelsea side lashed with transfer suspension. With his developed youngsters, he helped Chelsea scale through the 2019/2020 season with a top four finish.
Unfortunately, things went down the hills for the English gaffer the following season. The inconsistency from the Blues led to his sacking and replacement by Thomas Tuchel.
He has been left out of job ever since. But his signature by Everton will see him return to the Premier League with another daunting task of reviving the Toffees’ chance of staying in the League.
