Under pressure Lampard's next match is against Manchester United
The Everton manager reported to the club’s Finch Farm training ground at 9am this morning to prepare for training,
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard will take charge of Everton’s FA Cup tie with Manchester United on Friday, but his long-term job prospects remain in the balance.
The Everton manager reported to the club’s Finch Farm training ground at 9am this morning to prepare for training, having seen his tenure suffer a serious setback with Tuesday’s abject 4-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Lampard — who was appointed a year ago — has overseen just one win in his past ten Premier League matches with Everton dragged into a relegation battle for the second successive campaign.
A positive reaction to what was a wretched result and performance will now be required at Old Trafford to imbue faith in Lampard’s ability among the Everton hierarchy.
Everton face pivotal Premier League games against Southampton and West Ham United after the third-round tie.
With a stay of execution effectively granted, meetings took place between Lampard and director of football, Kevin Thelwell, and also the CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale on Wednesday to plot a course forward.
That, in itself, is not unusual with both officials based at the training complex for large portions of the week, but there is understandably an urgency to ensure the team moves on from what was an error-strewn display.
Everton trained at 12pm with the players starting to head home at around 1.45pm, and Lampard’s team will now face a test of their resilience against United, who are enjoying a renaissance under Erik ten Hag.
They displayed solidity in drawing 1-1 at the Etihad against Manchester City last weekend when Lampard deployed a five-man rearguard, although he reverted to a back four against Brighton.
Yet as well as chants of “Sack the board” at Goodison Park during the loss to Roberto De Zerbi’s side, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were both booed when substituted by supporters as the atmosphere turned toxic.
Lampard is seeking to bring in reinforcements to help boost Everton’s attacking output, but an enquiry to sign Danny Ings on loan from Aston Villa has been rebuffed. Villa would consider a permanent deal for the England international.
