Frank Lampard is APPOINTED as Everton’s new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal

Everton‘s new era has officially begun after Frank Lampard was confirmed as their new manager on Monday afternoon.

Lampard, who arrived at their Finch Farm training base in the morning, has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Goodison Park.

The 43-year-old replaces Rafael Benitez who was sacked by the Toffees a fortnight ago after a run of one win in 13 matches.

Frank Lampard has been named as Everton’s new manager, signing a two-and-a-half year deal

The former Chelsea boss has penned a contract to replace Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park

The 43-year-old was unveiled by the club on Monday afternoon and he called it a ‘huge honour’

Upon joining Lampard 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.

‘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.

‘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.’

Lampard poses with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright (left) and owner Farhad Moshiri (right)

The former England star is pictured at the club’s Finch Farm training base on Monday morning

Everton have taken their time to find the right successor with Lampard, Vitor Pereira and caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson all having had second interviews with the club’s hierarchy on Friday, before they then deciding on the former England international. 

He will take training for the first time at 3pm today as he prepares his side for a fourth round FA Cup tie with Brentford on Saturday.

He has assembled a backroom staff comprised of Joe Edwards as his assistant manager, Paul Clement as first team coach and Chris Jones as first team coach and head of performance.

Lampard has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea just over a year ago

Lampard was driven into Everton’s Finch Farm training base late on Monday morning

Ferguson, who took charge of the first team for their 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa after Benitez’s sacking,  will also remain on Lampard’s staff along with goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly. 

Everton ‘s owner Farhad Moshiri, said: ‘I am really delighted that Frank has joined us. He is an impressive young man 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.

Meanwhile 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.’

Before managing Chelsea, Lampard led Derby to the Championship play-off final in 2019

It is Lampard’s first job since being sacked by Chelsea a year ago, following a mixed spell in charge of the club he appeared 648 times for as a player.

He took over at Stamford Bridge in July 2019 with the Blues in the midst of a transfer ban and integrated several young players into the side such as Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham as Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League and reached the FA Cup final in his debut campaign.

However, Lampard found the second season more difficult and was sacked in January 2021 after a run of five defeats in eight games which had left the club ninth in the table.

The 43-year-old’s only other previous job came at Derby County, who he led to the Championship play-off final in the 2018-19 season.

Lampard takes over at Goodison Park with Everton currently 16th in the Premier League table and only four points above the relegation zone. 

Vitor Pereira had been favourite for the Everton job, but hostile fan reaction caused a rethink

Former Porto and Fenerbahce boss Pereira emerged as the leading candidate to be Benitez’s replacement earlier this week, but a hostile fan reaction to his potential appointment led majority owner Moshiri to have a rethink.

Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney, an international team-mate to Lampard, revealed on Friday that he had turned down the opportunity to interview for the role.

Lampard’s first game in charge will be the FA Cup fourth round tie at home against Brentford on February 5, before a crucial Premier League fixture away at relegation rivals Newcastle United follows three days later.

The 43-year-old began work on transfers over the weekend despite not being officially announced by the club, with Donny van de Beek set to become his first signing.

The out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder is close to joining on loan for the rest of the season, with Everton paying a fee in excess of £500,000 and his £100,000-a-week wages in full.

Van de Beek is undergoing a medical on Merseyside but will not be able to feature against Brentford this weekend because he is cup-tied. 

Donny van de Beek is reportedly undergoing a medical at Everton ahead of a loan move