Frank Lampard has been fired by Everton after a disastrous run of form amid serious fan unrest against the ownership and board of directors.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
The club confirmed the ouster of Lampard on Monday afternoon following morning reports that Everton had cut ties with the coach. Lampard had been in charge at Everton for less than a year.
Everton currently sits 19th in the Premier League with just 15 points from their first 20 games of the season. They have picked up just one point from their last seven games and the 2-0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday was seemingly the final nail in Lampard’s coffin.
Everton statement on firing Frank Lampard
Everton Football Club can confirm that Frank Lampard has left his post as Senior Men’s First Team Manager today.
Joe Edwards, Paul Clement, Ashley Cole and Chris Jones have also left the Club.
Alan Kelly will remain as goalkeeping coach.
Everyone at Everton would like to thank Frank and his coaching staff for their service during what has been a challenging 12 months.
Frank and his team’s commitment and dedication have been exemplary throughout their time at the Club, but recent results and the current league position meant this difficult decision had to be taken. We wish Frank and all his backroom team well for their future in the game.
The Club has started the process to secure a new manager and will provide updates on the appointment in due course.
Paul Tait and Leighton Baines will take training until a new manager is appointed.
Who is to blame?
Of course, Lampard is to blame for the play on the pitch and the fact Everton are in yet another relegation scrap.
He kept them up in dramatic fashion last season but the Everton board failed to back him in the summer window and the same issues remain both on and off the pitch.
In recent weeks Everton’s fans have stepped up their protests against majority owner Farhad Moshiri, long-time chairman Bill Kenwright and the entire board.
Lampard was well liked by most Evertonians and was seen as just being part of the problem instead of the main problem.
Whoever comes in next has to somehow get Everton back to scoring goals regularly and keep the reasonably solid defensive unit intact, while also uniting the fanbase as they have yet another relegation scrap coming up.