"I think" - Journalist drops big Everton claim involving Frank Lampard's future

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is likely to keep Frank Lampard in the Goodison Park hot seat if the Toffees fend off relegation to the Championship, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Lampard was appointed as the Merseyside outfit’s new manager on deadline day of the January transfer window, but the former Chelsea chief has been unable to turn around their fortunes.

Everton returned to domestic football with a 2-1 defeat to Europa League quarter-finalists West Ham United as Mason Holgate’s deflected strike was not enough to allow the Toffees to return to Merseyside with anything to show for their efforts.

Lampard reacted to the latest setback by insisting his charges need to show ‘more quality’ in order to secure positive results but also remains confident that Everton’s Premier League status will be maintained ahead of next season.

That came after the 43-year-old questioned the mentality of his players after suffering a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace last month.

Although Lampard signed a two-and-a-half year contract to take charge at Goodison Park, it appears he could potentially be shown the exit door in the coming weeks.

It has emerged that Everton added a break clause to Lampard’s deal, meaning they are able to part company with their current boss at the end of the season without paying a penny in compensation.

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O’Rourke believes Lampard will still be in the Goodison Park dugout on the opening day of next term as long as he succeeds in keeping Everton in the top flight.

The journalist does not feel Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright will look to exercise the break clause in the former England international