Frank Lampard’s reign as Everton manager is over after he was sacked this afternoon.
The former Chelsea and Derby boss was told his 357 day spell in charge had come to an end during a phone call with Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major shareholder.
It was the inevitable conclusion following weeks in which he has been on the brink and Sportsmail understands Marcelo Bielsa is Everton’s No 1 choice to take over.
Everton, who are in desperate need of new players, are close to finalising a deal to sign Arnaut Danjuma on loan until the end of the campaign but that business has been concluded while Lampard awaited to learn his fate.
The 44-year-old had 18 months left on the contract he signed on January 31 last year.
It has not yet been confirmed but it is expected his backroom staff of joe Edwards, Chris Jones, Paul Clement and Ashley Cole will also leave with Lampard.
It has been a hugely challenging time for Lampard, who had a grown to have a huge affinity for the club, was enjoying living in the North West and was desperate to bring success to a set of fans who had never given him anything other than public support.
He had seen Everton miss out on a number of transfer targets that he was keen on – most notably Danny Ings, who left Aston Villa to join West Ham – and was on the back foot from the start of the season after Richarlison was sold to Tottenham.
Everton’s problems on the field are best encapsulated by the fact they have only scored two goals or more in two of their 20 Premier League games and the lack of firepower has led to a draining of confidence.
Lampard has also had to deal with disciplinary issues within his squad and last week was forced to send Abdoulaye Doucoure to train on his own following an exchange after the 2-1 defeat to Southampton on January 14.
Everton will now begin the search for the seventh manager in the last seven years.
Bit of support for frank there looks a bit overwhelmed pic.twitter.com/8Wv3CgUJr7
— the goodison gang (@TerryCoghlan1) January 21, 2023
