Frank Lampard: Everton appoint former Chelsea boss as new manager to replace Rafael Benitez
Frank Lampard became Everton's leading candidate after a board meeting and interviews on Friday night to decide Rafael Benitez's successor; 'Everton is a unique club,' says Lampard; Duncan Ferguson and Vitor Pereira were also interviewed during the final round of talks
Monday 31 January 2022 18:02, UK
Everton have appointed Frank Lampard as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract to replace the sacked Rafael Benitez.
Lampard, who arrived at Everton's Finch Farm training ground on Monday where he was expected to take first-team training for the first time, 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.
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"You can feel the passion Everton fans have for their club. That will be hugely important. 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.
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"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."
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri said: "I am really delighted that Frank has joined us. 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."
Everton chairman Bill 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.
"I'm sure Evertonians will give him the special welcome that only they can and will be looking forward to giving him and his coaching staff a warm Goodison welcome next weekend."
Former Swansea and Derby manager Paul Clement will be a first-team coach and Lampard has asked current caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson to also be a part of the backroom staff.
As well as Lampard, The Toffees spoke to Vitor Pereira - who exclusively told Sky Sports News on Wednesday that he wanted the job - plus Ferguson.
Moshiri flew into London last Friday to hold talks with all three candidates.
Lampard had been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in January 2021 with the club ninth in the Premier League.
Prior to his 18-month spell at Chelsea - who he led to an FA Cup final and a top-four finish - Lampard spent a season at Derby, which ended in defeat to Aston Villa in the play-off final.
Everton had been searching for a successor to Benitez after he was sacked earlier this month in the wake of their 2-1 defeat at Norwich.
The former Liverpool manager had been in charge at Goodison Park for less than seven months.
Everton sit 16th in the Premier League and are just four points above the relegation zone having won one and drawn three of their last 14 matches.
Lampard's in-tray: Issues at both ends for new manager
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds:
"After a chaotic, tedious and far too public search to replace Rafael Benitez, Everton have finally got their man.
"Frank Lampard emerged as the stand-out candidate from the recruitment process, and is now tasked with saving the club from relegation.
"The former Derby and Chelsea boss signs a two-and-a-half-year deal at Goodison Park having seen off Vitor Pereira and Duncan Ferguson in the final round of interviews. Out of management since he was sacked by Chelsea just over a year ago, he must waste no time in getting to work."
Read more on Lampard's biggest issues at his new club here.
Everton's next fixtures
February 5: Brentford (H) - FA Cup
February 8: Newcastle (A) - Premier League
February 12: Leeds (H) - Premier League
February 19: Southampton (A) - Premier League
February 26: Manchester City (H) - Premier League, live on Sky Sports
Moshiri: I'll provide the system to support Lampard
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri told evertontv:
"Frank is an impressive young man on and off the pitch. You can quickly relate to him and there is a positivity and confidence that comes through. The more you see of him, the more you like him. He is a very likeable man and I'm really pleased we've secured his services.
"He is from a footballing family, it is in his blood, he is a winner and played at the highest level of the English game. He will give the team an immediate boost. A dressing room will always rise to someone of his character and achievement.
"I will provide the system to support him. The process is vital to ensure all components of Everton fully support the manager. Fans are the most important part of that.
"You can buy any player; you can't buy the 12th man. The biggest thing for us - for me, for Bill [Kenwright, Chairman], for all parts of this great and beautiful club, is to get behind this manager.
"Let's unite behind the team, give the team the 12th man and start moving up the table. Our future is bright. We just need to be united. Maybe together, me and the fans should be more patient - I am also impatient.
"We have to get behind the manager and give him that Goodison feeling, and I think success will come with that. Throughout the team there are strengths, so if we get the confidence back and the Goodison crowd gives them the 12th man, that is the most important signing we can get in this window."
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