Everton: 5 things Frank Lampard must do to save Everton from relegation
By Rob Fisher
New Everton manager Frank Lampard has a tough job on his hands
Everton a year ago were sitting in the top six, they were about to win at Anfield in the league for the first time since 1999 and get the better of a nine goal thriller against Spurs in the FA Cup 5th Round. Since then a dramatic turnaround has seen two managers leave, Everton drop to mid table last season and near the relegation zone this, and the 27 year trophy drought continues. Now Frank Lampard has been tasked with getting back to where they were a year ago.
With Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez both unsuccessful, although Ancelotti would have been given more time had he not moved to Real Madrid, to bring stability and a trophy to Goodison Park it is now the turn of a less experienced manager to give the Everton fans what they crave.
Once the inevitable sacking of Benitez had happened Evertonians were in a state of frenzied panic, falling closer to the relegation zone, campaigning against the owner Farhad Moshiri and the board, and not really having any idea who the next manager would be or who they would like.
The availability of a top class manager was low and who would want to come to Everton anyway? Plus after Ancelotti could you trust a top class and experienced manager to hang around?
light. Must Read. 3 roles Donny van de Beek can play under Frank Lampard at Everton
Quickly it became apparent of a boardroom split, Moshiri wanted the more eccentric Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira whereas the board would favour a more local manager like Duncan Ferguson, Wayne Rooney or Lampard. In the end, maybe because of the fans protests last week, Moshiri got onside with the board.
Despite media reports telling us about a recruitment circus to get a new manager, once Friday came it was clear Lampard was the number one choice. Last week we identified three key objectives for Lampard to think of if he was successful, now we look more in-depth at tasks he must work on now he is in the Goodison Park hot seat.
In the following pages, we will look at Lampard’s tactical outlook in his previous jobs, how the new signings on deadline day will fit in and what formation is likely, which current players are winners, and losers, in Lampard becoming boss and how he will look at the three important games in eight days coming up.