Everton step up search to replace Rafa Benitez, who was sacked as manager on Sunday; Frank Lampard features on a shortlist of candidates that also includes Wayne Rooney, Roberto Martinez and Nuno Espirito Santo; Duncan Ferguson appointed caretaker manager until permanent appointment made
Tuesday 18 January 2022 18:32, UK
Frank Lampard is expected to be interviewed for the Everton manager's job, with the club also discussing Wayne Rooney as a potential candidate.
Everton sacked Rafa Benitez after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at relegation contenders Norwich, with the Spaniard lasting just six-and-a-half months on the blue side of Merseyside.
Derby boss Rooney is understood to be happy and focused at Pride Park, but would find it difficult to turn Everton down considering his history and association with the club.
Lampard, meanwhile, has not been in a job since Chelsea sacked him in January last year.
Everton have a shortlist drawn up which includes the two former England internationals, alongside Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez and Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked by Tottenham earlier this season.
Martinez, the former Everton boss, is high on the shortlist and would be keen to return to Goodison Park, but a deal is made difficult by the Belgium FA who do not want to let the Spaniard leave before the 2022 World Cup.
Duncan Ferguson has taken charge of the first-team on a caretaker basis, and is set to be in charge for Saturday's game against Aston Villa.
The former Everton striker will be assisted by John Ebbrell and Leighton Baines, plus goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly.
Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom speaking on The Essential Football podcast:
"Lampard is an interesting one. I can understand why his name is mentioned because every time a Premier League job comes up, his name will be mentioned. At Chelsea, he did a fair job. It was a challenge for him because when he was appointed he had the transfer embargo over the club, so he wasn't able to necessarily mould it in his image.
"He did well at Derby, he did pretty well at Chelsea. Which club fits him, and the other way around? It's a tricky one for Lampard. I don't know if this is the right time for him but I can see why he would be interested because Everton is a really huge name in English football. They're regarded as one of the sleeping giants.
"If you can go in and do well, there is a project there... and then you're at a great football club, if you get the opportunity to be successful. But it's such a tough job. It has to be the right fit."
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Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom speaking on The Essential Football podcast:
"There are problems that are well beyond the manager. This is a football club that has been making, at executive level, what appear to be wrong decisions for a number of years.
"They're looking for a sixth permanent manager since Roberto Martinez left so clearly the strategy in recruiting managers is not correct in whatever way, shape or form because they're not getting the right man for the right club.
"The fans - and you can understand why - are tearing their hair out because it's been an endless cycle and there doesn't seem to be any clear light at the end of the tunnel. I think Rafa Benitez had to start well and he had to overachieve. Given that history with Liverpool, he was very unpopular with a lot of the fanbase.
"If you have that position you know that, with the first big crisis, you're going to be out the door. You can't really survive it."
