Everton manager Frank Lampard will be sacked later today, according to Sky Sports, with the club 19th in the Premier League table.
The Toffees have 15 points in 20 games, including just three wins – the lowest of any team.
Everton fans had called for Lampard to be sacked over the World Cup break, but a draw against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on December 31 offered hope that the decision to stick with him was the right one.
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However, a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Brighton, followed by defeats to relegation rivals Southampton and West Ham, has meant that the board have seen enough.
The Chelsea legend was credited with keeping the Merseyside club in the Premier League last season, but his reputation as a manager has taken another blow.
He can be excused for not achieving long-term success at Stamford Bridge, as not many do, but another sacking on the resume could mean he struggles to get a third Premier League job.
Where next for Lampard?
Lampard took Derby to the Championship play-off final in his first season in management, before Chelsea came calling after Maurizio Sarri’s departure.
The Blues lost star player Eden Hazard to Real Madrid and were under a transfer ban, paving the way for the likes of Reece James, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham to become first-team regulars.
Lampard finished fourth with the young team, and was rewarded with €247.20 million worth of talent in the transfer market.
But he failed to get the best out of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, which ultimately cost him his job.
Next, the 44-year-old came into a struggling Everton team that were destined for relegation under former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
And, despite a tricky start, he got the supporters on side as the team played with passion throughout the final weeks of the season, avoiding the drop to the Championship.
Everton have been abysmal in the 2022-23 season, though, and Lampard has now been sacked for the second time in his career.
He should take some time away from management, before returning to a stable club in the Championship with young players to develop – Lampard’s forte, it seems.
QPR and Swansea City are two potential clubs that Lampard should be looking at to rebuild his reputation in the second-flight.
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