Season 2021-22 Opinion Talking Points

Beyond Mid-Table Into the Top-6 and Top-4: Is Lampard the Right Man for Everton Ambitions?

Everton might not be a part of the EPL's big six, but they are one of the biggest clubs in the league with equal ambitions. Following the Farhad Moshiri-led takeover, the club targeted regular top-six finishes and Champions League football. Everton has struggled to live up to these ambitions and nearly got relegated to a lower division in the 21/22 campaign.

Rafael Benitez's reign ended abruptly following a dismal run of form, with the blue Merseyside club winning 1 of 14 games, with Frank Lampard sworn in as a replacement. Evertonians received the news of the former Chelsea boss with renewed interest, hoping that things could turn around in the second half of the season. Suffice to say, that wasn't the case. While morale was higher at Goodison Park, and the team played good football under Lampard, they mostly occupied the drop zone and were at risk of relegation.

Lampard needed the new gig as much as Everton needed him to avoid the drop. Considering Lampard's last stint at Chelsea left the London side worse off before Thomas Tuchel swooped in to leapfrog Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to his first Champions League title, the current Everton boss had much to prove.

Everton's Managerial Profile

Everton has had its fair share of experienced hands, with Sam Allardyce, Ronald Koeman, Rafa Benitez, and recent Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti at the wheel. However, all these coaches, top guns in their own rights, failed to make lasting impressions on the board, team, and fans. This might explain why Everton chose to go with a fresh face with a hunger for cup glory in Frank Lampard—who seeks to re-establish his place as a legend of the sport both on and on the sides of the pitch.

While Lampard's EPL history is still in its early days, recording 28 wins, 11 draws, and 18 defeats in 57 games at Chelsea, his record bears the win percentage of other Everton managers: David Moyes (40.5), Rafa Benitez (26.3), Ronald Koeman (40.4), and Carlo Ancelotti (43.1).

How Lampard Fits into Everton's Ambitions

Frank Lampard's appointment comes with the heavy burden of navigating Everton's tumultuous run of form and returning the Merseyside club to competitive football. Of course, Lampard must have done his homework on the club and decided the odds were favourable before signing on. Since David Moyes' 11-year tenure ended in 2013, Everton has employed six coaches, with Lampard as the seventh successor. However, Lampard is saddled with the biggest task of all six predecessors.

While the new boss's priority to help the club to a respectable finish largely paid off due to results going in their favour elsewhere, Lampard will look to rebuild in the new season, crafting a better playing style for the Toffees and restoring their place as a fighting top half club. The promise of good football will doubtlessly prompt Everton fans to buy Premier League tickets ahead of the new season. The Toffees have consistently sold-out season tickets until 2021, despite Carlo Ancelotti's departure creating uncertainty in the club. With Lampard at the wheel, it's plausible that the Everton faithful will repeat a similar feat for the 2022/23 season.

Additionally, while the fans and board might be comfortable with this target, Lampard might have higher aspirations. The Englishman is used to lifting trophies from his playing days at Chelsea, and would doubtlessly look to rehash such happenings at Goodison Park. He will be helped if a reported Everton takeover goes through before the new season starts, and new signings come in to strengthen the team further.

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