Former Everton manager Frank Lampard has discussed some of the challenges he faced at Goodison Park.
Frank Lampard was Everton boss from January 2022 to January 2023. In his time at the helm, he took charge of 44 matches, winning 12.
Things started fairly well for Lampard at the Merseyside club. The former Chelsea and England midfielder was able to guide the Toffees to Premier League safety in dramatic fashion at the end of the 2021/22 season.
However, Everton were in woeful form in the first half of last season, under his watch. Ultimately, he was replaced in the dugout by current manager Sean Dyche.
Lampard has now reflected on his time at Everton. Discussing the job with former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, he gave insight into his experiences as the Toffees’ boss.
Dyche imitating Lampard struggles
Asked by Carragher if Everton are an “unmanageable” club, Lampard said, “I think it’s a challenge. I think ‘unmanageable’ isn’t quite the right word but it’s certainly a challenge.”
“The fans virtually kept us up when we stayed up. What they were doing was incredible and it drove the lads on. But they also have a real desire for what they want to see…So I think maybe it’s trying to find the right balance. As a club, you have to really tap into what the fans want because it can be a powerful force…you do understand that maybe that unique side that can be so good for Everton, but also challenging at times, from a coaching point of view.”
Things haven’t been easy for Dyche since charge either. Like Lampard, he was able to keep the club in the Premier League on the final day of his first season, but he has also overseen a poor start to the new campaign.
Everton are yet to earn a single Premier League point when playing at Goodison Park so far this season. Dyche needs to find a way of energising the fans, and tapping into the power they can provide to the players. As Lampard has suggested, doing this can have a radical impact on the players.
If Dyche isn’t able to inspire his Everton squad to take their game up a level soon, then the £96,000-a-week coach could find himself following in Lampard’s footsteps even further and being ousted from the club.
Everton aren’t unmanageable, but there are issues at the club that any manager would struggle to rectify.
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