Frank Lampard sacked as Everton boss after just under a year in the role

independent.co.uk:

Frank Lampard has been sacked as Everton manager after just under a year in charge.Lampard leaves Goodison Park with the club 19th in the Premier League and embroiled in a second successive relegation battle after a run of nine defeats in 12 games.The PA news agency understands the Toffees parted company with Lampard on Monday but there has not yet been any official confirmation from the Merseyside outfit.Former Chelsea and Derby boss Lampard was appointed last January as successor to Rafael Benitez, who had lasted just 200 days in the post.

His departure means Everton are now looking for their eighth permanent manager since owner Farhad Moshiri took over the club in February 2016.Moshiri offered public backing to Lampard as recently as January 13, but hugely damaging defeats to fellow strugglers Southampton and West Ham have forced a change.The 44-year-old won just nine and lost 21 of his 38 Premier League matches and leaves eight days before the first anniversary of his appointment.Everton scored just 34 goals during that period, and only 15 goals in 20 games this term.

They have only managed to find the net more than once in a game twice this season.With a first relegation since 1951 looming large, Lampard’s departure adds to the turmoil amid a period of fan unrest after numerous demonstrations against the club board in recent weeks.The club’s delay in confirming the news, when it was being widely reported on Monday afternoon, is likely to add to supporter frustration.However, while fans had largely backed Lampard, former Everton striker Kevin Campbell felt the club had no choice but to make the change.He told Sky Sports News: “The inevitable has happened.