Lampard set to succeed Benitez as Everton boss

Bobble just tweeted its Lampard!!

Thank the Lord, all is forgiven, well I say all ? Where's that beer 🍺
A massive day for Everton. Now get some players in and get Tim on board too NSNO

Here's the rub though. Now, it is just down to Lampard to accept the post and the Toffees will begin their new era after the shocking tenure of Rafa Benitez.
I don't suppose he'd reject the offer would he? If he does agree, I would expecct confirmation to be in the morning?

Danny. Altogether now. Frankie goes to Wembley

Fingers crossed for the guy although I admit I can't see it working. Erase the memory of Frank snr at Elland rd young man and become a legend.

Prove me wrong I implore you.

I hope it is Frank!
A young, ambitious manager with connections and something to prove!
I hope TC is back as well because he always had fighting spirit and will to win.
COYB

Paddy Power have closed the book.

I wish him all the best for the next 12 months.

A relief. Welcome to Everton, Frank.

ONE IN THE FRAME FOR EVERTON JOB
Fourth interview tomorrow

Green Man Brian.

I'll host in my local before. We're only 20 minutes from Wembley. The manager is an Irish lifelong City fan. Loves Everton, despises Mordor. Drinks on me. You can screenshot this!!

Alright then, let's get on with it. After Rob plays Sister Sledge maybe Gloria Gaynor's 'We Will Survive' will play. We got the best we could now let's get some revenge on those who've been having a laugh. Do it Frank! Fuck em up!

Just hope it's true, but if he takes charge in the coming week, will the transfer window be closed?

What happens to Big Dunc?

What happens to Big Dunc?

If it is him then must confess I am A little underwhelmed, but certainly the most sensible out of the 3 candidates. Very concerned if he hasnt got a number 2 lined up unless they said he has to have Dunc. I always think a manager is only as good as his number 2. Just hope they not giving him along contract and paying him silly money, but I expect to be wrong on both counts, although if he does take us down he is probably the right man to get us back up again. I'll get fully behind him of course and hope he does well and hopefully now we should stop being such a divided fanbase

Ditto Danny always preferred that side of ground and boozer on our numerous ( good times ) trips there. Even if it dies t work out his professional upbringing mostly at Chelsea / cobham is has world class set up and coaching. Along with Tim he might drag us kicking and screaming into the 21st century with his attitude and professionalism. The results may or may not reflect that but worse scenario his legacy will be the above. Nothing against Dunc but he’s ingrained in our / bills way of doing things.

Hold on lads. Seems like the media have jumped the gun on this one. BK told a journalist that they had decided on Frank but Bill has just clarified he didn't mean Lampard, he meant Frank Spencer.

What the hell is going on?
Expected to take charge this coming week?
What the hell have they been doing?
We need him in charge right now.
We need midfield players in right now.
And he might turn us down.
Madness!

To be honest Colin I have no concern on Ferguson.

A player that didn't live up to potential or expectation. Someone who is reluctant to be a permanent manager.

Let's look forward to the future and not live in the past.

If he can keep us up this season, then it should be exciting times at goodison. But it’s a big “if” with the way it looks at the moment

At least Frank Lampard will stand up and give Mr Ed as good as he gets.

Now for Everton to regroup, stand up and fight for survival and to believe.

Give him a chance see what he can bring to Everton. If this appoint fails, then I would have serious questions regarding our owner and board members.

Good news. Let’s hope he can hit the ground running. Take no shit from the ‘big’ stars and give the youngsters a run.

It would be typical of the way things are going for us that after reflection, etc etc he turns us down.

I am just delighted that at last they have made a choice. Because he will be Everton's new manager I hope he is successful. We do have to give him time, although supporters have heard that enough. I will lower my expectations, but I think he should be able to lead us to ten successive wins. If so he is guaranteed to be popular. But what about the eleventh game ???

I am just delighted that at last they have made a choice. Because he will be Everton's new manager I hope he is successful. We do have to give him time, although supporters have heard that enough. I will lower my expectations, but I think he should be able to lead us to ten successive wins. If so he is guaranteed to be popular. But what about the eleventh game ???

I am just delighted that at last they have made a choice. Because he will be Everton's new manager I hope he is successful. We do have to give him time, although supporters have heard that enough. I will lower my expectations, but I think he should be able to lead us to ten successive wins. If so he is guaranteed to be popular. But what about the eleventh game ???

I don’t like Frank or Frank’s politics, I didn’t like him in his playing days and think his management career has been overstated and overrated by many on here over the past few days.

But he’s here now so I can only wish him well

Link

I am just delighted that at last they have made a choice. Because he will be Everton's new manager I hope he is successful. We do have to give him time, although supporters have heard that enough. I will lower my expectations, but I think he should be able to lead us to ten successive wins. If so he is guaranteed to be popular. But what about the eleventh game ???

Peter # 10, and back to square one on Sunday

Excellent news if true. He is young, will bring in different ideas and he was a winner as a player, let's hope he is the perfect fit and becomes a winner as our manager. Let's give him all the support he needs and more, none of this he is the best of a bad bunch, we as supporters need to reset also and be open to good, driven professionals joining the club.

Not over excited by the offer of the manager's job to Frank Lampard mainly because Everton have many problems for any manager to over come and solve. The first team is not playing well; there is an injury list that could get longer with Mina playing for Colombia and Everton's 3 recent signings don't appeal very much when other positions in the team needed strengthening first such as another centre half, midfield player and attacker.

I just hope he didn't have to allege he was a bankrupt drug-addict in need of a favour from Everton, a team he screams he always "got".

You never know with Kenwright but it disturbs me that he seems (repeat "seems") to be arriving without coaches of his own choosing.

Still, welcome Frank. You were a bloody good player who never shirked hard work - I hope you're infectious at the basket case that is Finch Fuck-about Farm.

Let's get behind Frank (assuming he accepts) and say our prayers he'll deliver. COYB!

Just watched Skysports reporting on this. What a dysfunctional squalid board we have. There are clearly leaks coming out from the interviewers, ie. the board ffs! Reports that ‘at least one board member favoured Ferguson’ but ‘several others want Lampard.’ There’s something seriously wrong with this club…if Lampard turns it down we’re going to look more amateurish than we already do. These morons have no place running an EPL football club. They’re divided and have their own leaky agendas. Shame on them…

He won't take shit and he'll give youth a chance. He's been, seen and done as a player. He isn't familiar with the players, so won't have either an axe to grind, or favourites.
Breath of fresh air for me, as long as our players are honest and respond to him.
COYB.

It had to be Frank. Kenwright and Moshiri had run out of road. It was the fans that picked the Manager.

A massive task but we are a club who should now be on the up. New director in Tim Cahill ? New stadium being built, still in the FA Cup. An owner with deep pockets. I want us to put Rooney, Pereira etc behind us and give Frank Lampard our full support. Perhaps, just maybe, the owners have learnt something from the debacle of the past few months. It's clear that we, the supporters have finally been noticed and I have no doubt Kenwright has been embarrassed into action. The protests, the banners etc have worked. Respect to those who have held up those banners for the good of our club NSNO

Keith…he had to give youth a chance, he was operating under a transfer ban…

Why does ToffeeWeb as a site go into meltdown when big games, big news , well anything really, happens? Can those who can afford it help out and maybe pay a few quid a year or whatever to make it run smoothly, Been really frustrating lately, forum included, slow to load, disappearing etc, no slight on runners naturally, but could more contributions help?

WooHoo!!!!

I’m so relieved.

100% behind Frank, his style of play, and let’s goooooooo!!!

To be honest I think Pereira's 3-5-2 tactics would have worked better with the players we currently have. Especially with the 2 young attacking fullbacks we've brought in. However, I just didn't want a foreign manager who got relegated the last time he was put in this situation and also untested in the Prem given the job.

Lampard's formation and tactics are known to leave the defence vulnerable. Lets hope he's flexible and his sabbatical has helped him learn from his mistakes. He'll need a midfielder or two brought in for Monday.

While I wanted Dunc, as I thought that the players went the extra mile for him, I’m looking foreword to having a positive manager who I think in time will have us playing good footy.
Also think that the lads in the u23s& 18s will be happy as he’s done a good job of bringing youth through.
Now that’s step 1 out of the way, only about at least 6 or 7 more to go...

I hope he does well but he's not even Graeme Potter...look what Tuchel did with the same players at Chelsea...Frank lost games... Tuchel comes straight in and they don't lose for forever of course I'll back him but surely to goodness we could have got someone better prove me wrong Frank and while you're at it get some decent midfielders in

I hope the fans give him time and patience to do a complete rebuild.
He's got a massive job on his hands I hope he's prepared to work 18 hour days.
Just like David Moyes, he'll need a bed and a night bag in finch farm.

This is the happiest I've been about a manager appointment since Joe Royle, Just Grand! Welcome Frank, and boy do wee need you, a proper modern day legend!

A lot happier with this than another foreign mercenary looking for the big payoff. I believe Frank will know a player when he sees one and has been around successful sides his entire career. Surround him with honest hard working pros and let's get behind him 💪

Warming to Frankie. The age as a manager just right. Experience well at Derby then Chelsea. Ticks another box. As a player he was a winner. Managed Chelsea so managed a top club with top players. Will give youth a chance. I believe he plays with 3 in midfield and does man marking. If true ticks some more boxes. Willing to come to this shitshow of a club. Respect.

But the club still needs to change at the top and the components of the club the hierarchy, the board, the chairman the CEO, DoF, scouting, all needs to be revamped. Kiora needs to get out.

We just need more points than Brentford - if he manages that, I think Burnley & another team will go down instead of us. Hopefully he has some luck -absolutely essential for this current crop to avoid the drop.

I have more good news boys. Mina just got booked for Colombia so misses their next match on Tuesday.

He's been offered the job, its not saying he has 100% said yes or no, but presumably he will accept.
If he does, supporters need to stop sniping and support the club.

Joe McMahon, happiest you've been about an appointment since Joe Royle?! Really ?!

Joe McMahon, happiest you've been about an appointment since Joe Royle?! Really ?!

There's a lad who just scored for Venezuela tonight who might be worth a punt on loan. He looks very familiar but can't figure out how I know him.

Frank is still learning his management, but look at the managers he's played for and learned from. Multiple major trophy winner, and it's hard to believe from midfield he scored more top flight goals than Ferguson and Sharp combined. Amazing!

SCORE UPDATE - Rondon has just scored his second goal of the night, now looking to complete a first half hat-trick. Lampard's coaching certainly paying off.

A fellow Essex born fellow of my age. I think Frank will do well. His sides know how to play, he develops youth and hopefully his coaches know how to defend.

Brian 61, beat me to it you bugger. Thought I was a talent scout, was going to suggest we sign him!

It seems a done deal. The fans choice. Moshiri wanted Pereira and Kenwright Martinez (with Ferguson/Rooney a back up). The cynic in me worries the offer isn’t one that Lampard has no choice but to turn down so the owner/chairman can get their way.

Well we've got a manager, and thank the Gods that it isn't Pereira. His career and recent appointments, just didn't instil confidence in me.

As for Lampard, well... I'll get behind him, though I have some doubts whether he'll be able to keep us up. Not just because of his limited actual experience, but also the interference he will undoubtedly get from 'above', the lack of time to address the squads issues (x3 MF, x1 CB(LF), 1x ST) plus USMFF won't fully be behind him, as he is yet again an outsider. He'll get more resistance than assistance I would believe. Especially as he isn't a Joorbachian appointment too.

As for [Phil 40], yep I agree, a bit of Kenwright smoke and mirrors, or more likely trying to avoid blame if it goes belly up again.

Apparently, Kenwright supported DF, Moshiri (Usmanov/Joorabchian) supported Pereira; and DBB, Ingles and Sharp all pushed for Lampard.

Thankfully, out of the three, the most palatable was chosen.

I'm also interested if it comes out that Usmanov was there today, as I am led to believe he was.

All the best Frank, please keep us up. UTFT COYB NSNO

No track record, alienated a lot of good players at Chelsea - he'll be gone by Easter

Nice to see a positive attitude for once, Thanks Ray.

Not.

What is all this nonesense about his politics?

He is an individual, in a democracy and has the right, because of that, to think, and vote as he sees fit.

Do you honestly think tht Moshri, Kenwright and all the others in the club, counting their millions, are dyed in the wool socialists?

Circumstances change cases.

I was brought up in a family of socialists and was a rabid socialist myself, until, forty years ago, I became self employed, and an employer.

The road to Damscus.

Leave the politics out of it and just hope that he is a good football manager.

If he accepts then great let's all move on.

Get stability at the back.

5 in the midfield including Gordon, Richy and Gray. play DCL up top and we might stay up.

Ffs utft.

Presumably his acceptance is dependent on some transfer cash, and/or the willingness to bring in certain players.

I guess he won't want to confine himself to the squad that has got us in this mess.

As Frank hasn’t yet accepted the job it would be premature to hang out the bunting. Hopefully he will have the luck, the patience of the fans, a strong support team and most importantly enough fit, talented players to win a few matches. He was arguably the only viable option from the final short list, given that keeping the fans onside appears to have been a key factor as far as the club decision makers were concerned.

I am not convinced about his managerial credentials. His lack of experience especially in terms of managing a struggling club with too many mediocrities in its squad is a concern. I hope for the best.

If it is he - then sit them all in a dark room and watch the Forest/Clough film - I Believe in Miracles on Netflix to see how its done

Alternatively Howards Way EFC in the 80s

Shame about the wasted loan of El Ghazi because you can only have 2 loans in a window. I think we'll have to bring in two midfielders given Doucoure is now out for 4 weeks.

I think Dunc and Lee Carsley would have been a better bet, but lets be honest, with this board there was only ever a 2 horse race out of the three interviewee's

#67 I notice you can slag off comments without contributing any of your own in reply, please enlighten us on your view of Mr Lampard's managerial abilities

It reads as if this is 99% completed but we all know that means very little.

Maybe it is to gauge fan reaction, what messages may be left in 8ft writing on the walls around the stadium or training grounds.

I wanted the very best for Everton, once again, I'm left disappointed at Moshiri's's decision-making process. We may suffer heartache and he will suffer financially but as always I could see the 'turf' about to hit the fan and will remain under cover.

What's been the more pressing issue is to bring in a couple of good midfielders.

All the very best of luck!

I'm not sure the decision has been made yet? But some less than sober, intelligible posts already.

Jc almighty has seven days to create. Franky has till Monday. We know which job is harder. Surely players are already lined up bill. Bill are you listening we want more good times

Not keen on Lampard but hey ho. At least he has experience of the championship if things don't go to plan.

Listens with hand on ear for distant singing fat lady... doesn't hear one...

Darren,

Simon says Sharp wanted him, the locals protesting who daubed his name on Goodison wanted him. Are they not proper Evertonians?

I would have thought he'd be your cup of tea as the antithesis of Carlo: young, attack-minded and gives youth a chance.

But that's me forgetting the desperately sad pessimist inside you that's so afraid of failure that you always are the first with the End is Nigh placard around your neck.

Try to smile, have a shot of whiskey and soon you'll be ready to polish the golden statue of our new saviour, cockney Frank.

Kieran Kinsella (#62) you really should wait for a 100% "good news day" before you admit you're from Essex. WTF?!!!!

Ray (#66) I wouldn't worry too much about him alienating a lot of good players at Chelsea. He'd need to be Indiana Jones with a microscope to find more than a handful of 'em at Finch Farm.

Dazza (#70) oid jyst ;yk to sai vAt yur comnents maid mE laF owTlwd ageN.

Keep it up owd lad, you're priceless in your adoration of the mediocrity.

Lastly, for now, will you please explain for us all why you so much denigrate Kenwright, like I do, yet so fulsomely support the ex-players he's appointed as so-called coaches despite at best their mediocre performance in terms of first-team players or valuable sales.

I've asked this question of you repeatedly, yet you never reply.

Sorry, but Ferguson getting dragged down to London to be interviewed by those fuckwits today was irrelevant, he had his chance last weekend with his presser last Friday and then his main interview on Saturday against Villa, failed both times, why he bothered getting on the train today is baffling, he’s gone, and needs to go out and find somewhere to build a proper reputation, instead of his “legend” before he was even a manager ( big Joe) , status at Everton.

Great great news and it’s been a while since we had any. I think he’s perfect for the job. He has the demeanor of a manager. Hope we can get a couple of players in. Welcome Frank.

Don (#83) A voice of reason amidst the fog, love it!

Three candidates, A, B and C a bit of Hobsons choice to be honest, but truth is whoever it was going to be, we have to get behind them and get out of the mire we are in. So to Lampard, I wish him all the best ( as I would have done to the others as well) because he is going to need it. Right now, park the concerns, there is a bigger picture at play, staying in the premiership. Get that out of the way and sadly it will be seen as a win for the board ( Yes I know, but they will see it as having chosen the right candidate and if we stay up then the first hurdle has been done.) The race however has many hurdles and Lampard (or any of the candidates) has a real job on to get the players into a functioning / winning team.
Secondly, I think this is the end of Ferguson's stint at the club. He has been overlooked twice, though loved by many, he will have be tainted by his time with Benitez, became part of the problem, not the solution and Lampard will want to bring in his own staff. Somehow I cannot see him stepping back into a second tier role. But If he does, then he clearly has no ambition of managing other clubs and by default, will never manage EFC again.

Jeff

While I'm happy with the outcome the process was a shambles. I fear Dunc and Pereira went through the farce of second interviews so the board could pretend they'd reached this decision without bowing to pressure.

If Dunc wants to be a manager, he needs to leave; as he said himself, he doesn't have experience. If he doesn't, then I see reason to push him out unless Frank feels he has nothing to offer.

Can we only bring in 1 more loan because we got EL Ghazi?

What I find strange is that he has been “offered” the job. Normally these are announced as a fait accompli.
Could it be that he has been offered the job on condition that he accepts DF as his assistant and Frank is considering his options

Don,

For clarification, I left Essex age 1.

Our boy Rondon has completed his hat-trick, I kid you not. He must have been held back by Rafa and on hearing the news that Frank is in charge he is a man transformed.

I just hope we can hold on to him until after Monday's deadline. PSG, Barca and City will be in for the Venezuelan Pele after tonight's performance.

Maybe this is the start of the good times. Are you listening Bill?

As mentioned above, the fact that this is reported as “Offered the job” rather than “Appointed” tells you all you need to know.

If Lampard turns us down at this stage we really will be one of the biggest laughing stocks of the Premier League era.

Congratulations to Frank,a good appointment methinks,the faithful made there views known plain and simple,I gotta admit to wanting Pereria 'cos of his experience and ballsy manner and it looked like he really wanted the job too.

The real work starts now to avoid the slide into oblivion,a fine win in the next round of the Cup will do for starters,to put us in good stead to face our tough fixtures that lie ahead of us in the League,so let's get behind the new Gaffer and players and just believe that good times our heading our way... finally.

P.S...I can tell you now who our opponents will be in the 5th round of the F.A Cup...bound to happen now!.

Neil,

Fabrizio and The Bobble say it's a done deal.

Hugh 68, I mentioned Lamp’s politics earlier. How he votes is entirely his own business, but he has gone further and been a bit of a Tory cheerleader & poster-boy. And no, I don’t think the Board is made up of rabid socialists either. I’d be pretty confident in betting that the Everton fanbase doesn’t have a Conservative majority though.

For what it’s worth I’ve been a self-employed employer for 15 years too.

That’s not my main issue with him, I think he gets an easy ride just because he’s Frank, Chelsea & England icon, there’s a whiff of entitlement, and I don’t trust his track record.

Dragging Dunc down to London on the train with no intention of giving him the job really gets my goat too. He should have been appointed til May and spared us all the farce of the past week.

A popular appointment is a good start. I have some reservations, especially about his ability to organise a defense (if he couldn’t do it with Thiago Silva and a Rudiger then what hole do we have?!) but it’s a new Everton manager so I will not judge till we’ve had a good look.

If he can bring in Anthony Barry and Steve Holland that would be a very good start.

Welcome, Frank Lampard. He was the best choice available: has a winning mentality: something to prove: will promote youth: and won't be scared of the big 4. Hit the ground running, Frank!

Bloody Nora, need to get that Venezuelan forward, hatrick and still playing

Sorry, Kieran 88, but do you think he should be offered a job or not?

“If he doesn't, then I see no reason to push him out unless Frank feels he has nothing to offer.”

He needs to go, he should not be hoisted on any new manager, and if he had anything about him, he would use those wel- publicised coaching badges elsewhere.

My main choice was Potter but, as he didn't want to join the mad house, well then it's looking like Lampard.

I do feel sorry for Big Dunc though. I just feel after being called down to London and passed over again, for his own career and reputation, he needs to leave the Moshiri shit-show behind – he plainly has no respect for Ferguson.

John,

Even if he's a poster boy Tory as you say, so what. Essex and the East End is full of working class Tories. Makes little sense to me but I don't associate it with entitlement. That's for the Etonians who over time have drifted between parties as the wind carries them.

ps: my Grandad was a die-hard Labor union leader in Essex and many of his members were Tories living in council houses. It's democracy at work.

Thanks, Kieran

I just found it a strange way of announcing it considering, earlier in the week, we were about to announce Pereira as manager.

Lampard it is then. Can't say I'm jumping for joy as he hasn't really done anything as a manager. However, he's high profile and you'd think be able to loan some decent players from Chelsea to bolster the squad.

We won't go down but I can't see him lasting. The job is too difficult without a clear-out at the top.

Get past Brentford to keep the FA Cup alive and take it from there.

Yes, Sam. Lampard's tactics do put a lot of pressure on the defenders. Doesn't bode entirely well when you have Messrs, Keane & Holgate in the side.

@76

'No track record, alienated a lot of good players at Chelsea – he'll be gone by Easter' is what you said. Hardly an in-depth observation of Lampard's abilities is it? Looks more like an empty, snidey slagging off to me.

And if you think that my post, 'Nice to see a positive attitude for once, Thanks Ray.' is ''slagging off'' then you must be new to ToffeeWeb. Or a snowflake.

Oh, and if he brings Anthony Barry with him, well that's a real positive.

'Positive'. look it up.

White smoke from the chimney of the Liver Building.

Habemus Papam. Or rather, Habemus Manageriam.

To employ one of my dad's favorite expressions...

"Halle-fucking-lujah... it's about fucking time."

Well, what a week that was! Not fussed about Lampard 8 days ago, but by Wednesday I was rooting for him above anyone, sleepless nights (seriously) worrying about Pereira.

But tonight I hope we've got a manager who knows his way around the premier league, knows enough about our players, and knows enough about pissing off Bingo!

Welcome, Frank Lampard,.welcome

John (97). All noted - thanks.

With regard to Duncan, from what I have seen, he has not expressed any interest in taking the job permanently, or even temporatily, to the end of the season?

We don't know why he was "dragged down to London", or what was discussed there, but, if he was a man of principle, and didn't honeslty believe he was in the runnig for the job, (if he actually wanted it), then he didn't have to go. He could have made his postion clear earlier, and saved the three way farce, leaving it a straight choice between Lampard and Pereira.

Also, if he didn't want the job, permanently, or temporarily, and nothing he has said in public indicates that he did, why should the board have "given it to him until May"?

That appears to be your choice and not Duncan's nor the board's, so you don't really have any grounds to feel aggrieved.

Finally, with regard to Lampard being a "poster boy" for the tories or the question of the political make up of the majority of Everton supporters, once again you express you opinion, as if it were fact.

None of us know, for certain, what the political make up of any particular group of people is. We can hazard a guess based on background and current circumstances, but don't forget that history has shown that it only takes a small step to turn "National Socialists" into a fascist mob, given a cause, and the wrong leadership.

For the mess that is currently Everton this "result" is probably as good as we could have hoped for. Nobody wanted Pereira, Ferguson didn't want the job full time, so there was only one other option on the table (that we're aware of).

We've tried the foreign big names, we've tried the ageing Galactico and the ageing red under the bed.

So now we have a Brit youth (in managerial terms). Like all others hired (apart from Allardyce, I have to admit), I'll get right behind him and hope he does well.

He has no previous connection with the club and that, IMHO, can only be a good thing the way things have gone.

Not interested in his politics or his religion as long as neither get in the way of him taking Everton up the table and give us back some pride and belief.

Let's just hope he accepts the offer!

Happy to get behind Frank on this one. Think he has the potential to be great. Duncan has to go though. No room for him after sitting in the back seat through 6 managers. Serious about a career in management? Go and find someone to manage before you are humiliated again. People lacking ambition should not be at our club.

Jeff,

I don't know if Dunc deserves a job but based on comments from former managers of his and players I think he warrants the opportunity to be considered for a role. But no he shouldn't be hoisted on Frank.

If Frank meets him, does his due diligence and thinks he has something to offer then keep him on. But if Frank wants to wipe the slate clean then that should be his decision and his alone.

As a player I genuinely used to hate fat Frank it felt at times that half of his career goals were scored against us.

Served under some big managerial names so will come in young fresh and hopefully full of fire and motivation.

Fingers crossed for the guy because if he gets it wrong we’re going down no question.

I just feel that at least in Moshiris eyes Ferguson has been tainted by so many past failed managers that he lacks the wow factor Moshiri seems to crave. I genuinely feel big Dunc and his coaching career now stand at a cross road.

The sensible option for me was Ferguson until the end of the season. But Everton and sensible haven’t been in the same sentence for a while now.

This is a decent little analysis on Twitter, for those interested:

Introducing Everton Football Club's new Manager: Frank Lampard

Daniel

I always like Frank in the battle between him and Gerard. Sven was too weak to pick one over the other. Best thing Steve McClaren ever did was break up that duo of identical players and insert Gareth Barry. If Sven had done that and dropped “G” maybe England would have won something

Positive appointment if he accepts, genuine optimism. Need personnel with attacking minds. Most headed goals by midfielders in Premiership? Cahill, Fellaini + Lampard. Bring Tim on board as well for now. Great minds and heads. Lol.

Ray @107
I don't know whether or not Frank Lampard can turn Everton around quickly enough to get those points we need to survive, however, I think he is a guy steeped in football given his family ties. I think he will understand the supporters of Everton because of hs days with West Ham as a player, and he might have a better relationship with our squad because of his age and experiences at the top level, he has a lot to prove both to us and to himself.

We can only offer our support to him and his staff, but whilst we will remain anxious possibly for the remainder of this season, at least we wil have more of a chance than with the previous full-time manager. I do hope he doesn't turn the offer to manage Everton down though, because that would throw the club in to yet more turmoil and we can ill afford that.

Lampard has spent the last 6 months assembling a very experienced backroom team in preparation for his return to management. Also cancelled a scheduled family trip abroad to show how much he wanted the job

Chelsea coach Anthony Barry is likely to follow Frank Lampard to Goodison. England Assistant Manager. Steve Holland could also join

Poor Vitor. Fourth time lucky for him sometime in the spring of 2023, I suppose.

Of the “final three”, Lampard the best choice I think.

I just want to make the point again that I mentioned on another thread yesterday...

We have no idea whether Lampard will be a good manager, but we do know that he checks a box left blank at Everton for years -- leadership. For 20 years he demonstrated that he was a true leader of men on the pitch. Not a fire-eating intimidator like Roy Keane or Sergio Ramos, but a quiet, steely exemplar in the mold of a Xavi, a Deschamps or a Tony Adams.

Whether that translates to managerial success is open to question -- it has for Pep and Gerrard and Deschamps, not so much for others -- but it's nice to have that character in the club again after a very long absence.

Kieran, even if Lampard thinks Ferguson offers something, it’s parasitical from Ferguson, it’s just embarrassing,
just go, and prove yourself,elsewhere. Maybe that job at Real Madrid he’s been offered.

There’s only one Frank Lampard … ahem… correction … There’s only two Frank Lampards

Gavin,
We don't have to play Keane and Holgate as we have Mina, Branthwaite and Godfrey plus Lewis Gibson out on loan.

Jeff. You must be shocked what with Pereira being hired on Tuesday an' all. ;-)

Kieran You certainly can’t knock Lampards goal records they are so impressive. God I used to hate his smug grinning celebration when he ALWAYS scored against us.

But you can argue that as a player he was made to look better than he was due to the cream of talent Chelsea surrounded him with week after week, but to criticise his club career is just being churlish.

Lampard is a raw manager no doubt and who knows in 5 years he could be a managerial legend for us. It’s a leap of faith success or failure flip the coin.

At this stage I respect any manager willing to risk their reputation putting this awful squad back together again.

Brian, he was sacked on Wednesday, and by Thursday he was making lurve.

Interviews Friday,

and on Saturday and Sunday, ... who knows?

Anyone inform me if they've heard something I haven't, but I have never heard Ferguson specifically say he wants to be a manager. The opposite actually in regards to Everton.

Not everyone in any organization is ambitious to be at the top. Not everyone can. Yes, the old interview thing, show ambition, "What job would you like? "Your job." Or maybe not.

To say Ferguson now must leave is akin to saying any board members of a company must leave unless they're angling to be CEO.

If he has something to offer on merit in the sole opinion of the next manager, then he should stay if he wishes. Maybe that's why he has been here through all the previous short-termers; he's good at his job.

Daniel

You’re last sentence is a damn good point

Will

One of the failings of corporations is promoting people to their level of incompetence. As you say, maybe Dunc is suited to what he does

I reckon we would all settle for being Chelsea's B-team in the short term, and that is how the press will surely report this story. You never know, it might work out well for everyone involved in the end...Let's see. Over to you Frank, & Bill (again)..

I still think this whole thing might have been a masterplan from Moshiri.

he wanted Lampard from the start, but he wouldn't have been welcomed then. After 2 weeks of Ferguson, Martinez, Rooney, Pereira, now Frank will be welcomed with rose petals and dancing girls.

Mike Gaynes

Always the optimist. I don't buy it but I'll put on my blue-tinted reading glasses and go with it.

Kieran #129, that was formerly called the Peter Principle. At Goodison it is now referred to as the Schneiderlin Scenario.

Risky one this!

Lol Mike

Kieran #132, don't it make your brown eyes blue?

Mike

Lol I have actually have blue eyes. I’ve been told by drunken older women they’re quite striking.

Darren (70)
I read your individual " That's how the light gets In " fan article and thought you had actually decided to accept that their are differences of opinion regarding Everton and all that involves Everton. Not of "Nobel" level but an honest insight into how you actually thought. At least an attempt to show that you are more than just an Evertonian who actually knows more than any other supporter on this earth.

Then you decided (70) to enlighten us all with your words of wisdom. Do you actually get help when posting in what appeared to be some form of code I noticed that you had reintroduced the "Happy Clappers" theme. Personally I am so glad to see you back to your "norm" where you personally insult people because they have the gall to ever disagree with you.

I did notice in your fan article that you personally "knighted" certain Toffee Webbers who will always be. safe from your scorn. Others need to be fully aware that they are up for your derision if they dare to disagree with your always "right " opinion.

Personally, as a scouser,born and bred I really don't care where the manager or players are from as long as they give 100%. However I am always more than delighted if one of our younger players proves to be a GEM.We need them, but in this day and age we are supporting teams who ALL have players from all around the world.
i

Mike Gaynes (#131),

With genuine respect, any self-respecting Toffee knows that the ultimate thrill at Goodison is to see the Toffee Lady, not "rose petals and dancing girls".

I hope he takes the job. As for Lampard himself, it's an interesting job for him. I can't see him turning it down. He'll no doubt have been in discussion with Carlo Ancelotti to get some background/advice.

We may be struggling at the moment, well for many years, but apart from the so-called Top 6 clubs who are currently in a league of their own but who all, in theory, have stable managerial leadership, from an historical club perspective, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Everton are probably 3 of the top clubs that managers would be interested to manage.

Both Villa and Newcastle have recently appointed managers...so that leaves us.

Forgetting all the issues with the board and overall management of the club, Lampard would be stupid to turn us down. Where else does he hope to get a Premier League management role. Potentially Leicester...if Brendan Rodgers goes.

John Boon,

I think the ToffeeWeb editors posted Darren's article thinking like Neville Chamberlain they'd got peace in our time. Ah well, old dog new tricks.

Well there you go. I'd say good luck, but does he need it? He inherits a squad 2 or 3 players short of what spent a lot of last season in the top 4. Don't tell me we have crap players. We haven't.

He could do without injuries... he could do with a number 10 (or 2) after we lost Siggy and James. Apart from that he will enter Goodison to support from all 4 sides of the ground and a huge sigh of relief because Beneathus has gone and also for the first time since he took over Moshiri might let those that know about football do their jobs. Now lets move forward, together. COYB

It's better Frank Lampard than Frank Spencer.

We've gotta hope the fella who writes the graffiti outside the stadium knows what he's talking about.

I am happy that Frank is taking the job and I hope that he stays long enough to establish a winning tradition.

It is a bit of a risk for him to walk into this dysfunctional organization and I wish him the best of luck dealing with the board and owner. Maybe they will realize that it may be our last chance to get it right without a spell in the Championship.

Good luck Frank, you are going to need it.

Don @142:

Why are we pilling on Darren? If he's not happy with the appointment, there's reasons why he wouldn't be.

Foremost being in a relegation scrap, conventional wisdom dictates you circle the wagons and don't concede goals. Frank has played a more open style of play and his managerial career to date would dictate his approach may not be conducive to a team needing to avoid relegation.

Stating now, I'm THRILLED with this appointment.

But as an ostrich sticking his head out of the sand - as I'm often outraged when fucked by other more intelligent passers-by - what's the beef here?

Was there a post removed? Did I miss something?

I've all day long for Darren Hind. Brazen and to the point, he'll state his mind. He's pissed off a ton of people I respect on this site, but hey-ho, emotions happen.

I'm not picking a fight. I'm curious as to the reaction.

Everyone needs to get behind Frank, kiss and make up, and realize we're all part of the same clan. Some of us in a more bastardized way, but again, hey-ho.

Good luck Frank! Never a permanent club or national captain as a player (leadership), no link to Everton (passion), and no track record of success as a manager (success). You’ll fit in nicely with this group of players!

Some posters have made a compelling case against hiring Lampard, but I feel optimistic about this appointment. I think he did a better job at Chelsea than he greats credit for. Feels like the right fit, the right profile... and the majority of the fanbase seems to be rallying around him, which is a good sign. We need all the positivity we can muster.

There's no need to kick Pereira when he's down, but nothing I read about him put my mind at ease. If anything, it felt like we'd be doubling down on everything that went wrong with Benitez - stubborn, combustible, clashing with star players. That's not what I'd want in the best of circumstances, and certainly not in our current situation.

Lampard welcome!

If you keep us in the league next season, collect ya bonus. Right choice for the club. Nothing to lose on both sides. Team shooting down the mountain, hopefully he can halt the slide.

Up to the players to buy into his methods and work harder. Time will tell. Think the owner must stay with Frank even if we go down. Stay up and top ten next few years will do me! Need to have a few years of stabilisation and realistic goals. Think that's what has led to over excitement with the money been spent and actual quality of the squad. The table doesn't lie overall.

If us the fans are realistic it gives the manager time to build something. A young, energetic, and motivated manager to take us forward for many years to come, hopefully.

David # 143 - he wasn't my pick but I will go along with all that except I hope he has just a little bit of luck.

Laurie, yes l think we are all due a bit of luck.

Funny l read somewhere, maybe even on here, that Lampard is older than Kendall, Martinez and Moyes when they took the job. It's refreshing to go this route, gamble or not, and thankfully this past 7 months is behind us.

Jamie (#147) our Dazza is in total luurrvvve with every-ex-moderate-player appointed by his and my arch nemesis Kenwright as a very-needy-at-the-time (only to the ex-player that is), usually unqualified "coach".

Comment, albeit unnamed, alluding to people with experience as employees at the club (excepting our very own Gerard McKean and Colin Fitzpatrick of course) elaborate their knowledge of the demise of Everton under Kenwright. Plenty more who've spoken with Kenwright speak in the same way - the Abrahams' repeatedly spelling it out for everyone.

And yet our Dazza, as denigrating of Kenwright as anyone, still persists with eulogising his no-hoper ex-players long infesting USMFF.

Bizarre!

Firstly, I welcome the decision to appoint Frank, and I hope that is not premature, by that I mean it hasn't been officially announced and he may, although extremely unlikely, not accept.

I do wish as everyone else no doubt, that someone would clarify the whole situation, where does it leave Duncan, what role is Tim Cahill going to have and Graeme Sharp too ?

Secondly, assuming all of the above falls into some sort of recognisable plan, where does that leave us with regards to the Transfer Window ? Not much time to get 2 or possibly 3 reinforcements in.

Better late than never I suppose, but why am I rarely confident of, the Board getting things right, albeit at the eleventh hour ?

Food for thought?

Our most successful period on the last decade was under Roberto Martinez. However, it could be argued that David Moyes was fundamental to this success, due to the defence Bobby inherited from him.

Could it be said, that Tuchel inherited a similar situation from Frank, but not just the defence, the team. Is it a coincidence that now that Tuchel has had time to settle in that things at Chelsea are beginning to unravel? They've sold Zouma, Tomori and lost Chilwell through injury this season, players who featured regularly under Lampard. Tuchel has also had enough time to stamp his style of play on the Chelsea team, which currently doesn't seem to be working.

Has Lampards work at Chelsea been easily overlooked because Tuchel took home the silverware? He pretty much had the exact same squad but was able to get a tune out of the players. Which then brings to question, had he lost the dressing room, can he motivate etc, which is an entirely different conversation for another thread.

All irrelevant in my opinion, because we are an absolute shambles at the minute and there is no perfect candidate out there who doesn't come with an element of risk.

Lampard, to me anyway, has a good a chance as anyone else who has ever been linked with the job, with the major positive (as has been mentioned above already) he is willing to take on the ultimate conundrum that is EFC.

Derek, I respect your wishes and agree with them, however Paul the Esk and, very much more recently another clue'd-up "mere" fan, have pointed out that FFP/EPL rules render the signing of further players impermissible in January.

Cheers to the owner/board on that account – NOT!

And, new manager, please bring a bazooka with you to burn done and disembowel large sections of the oh so comfy Finch Farm set-up.

Adam #148, I believe you advocated for Pereira, who never played professional football at all, also had no connection to Everton, and has never won a single game as a manager in a top-tier league. I would have expected that in those three areas you would consider Lampard a superior choice.

Joe #145, I've been thinking about him. Who knows, he might have influenced this process more than any other single person in the Everton world. I wonder if he'll ever come forward.

I suppose the main benefit of hiring Lampard is that he is not a polarising candidate among the fans. Most reactions here are neutral to slightly positive, with relief it is over.

If we had beaten Villa, my guess is that Duncan would have got the job until the end of the season.

Steve -

Part of me agrees - if we'd have beaten Villa, Dunc might be in.

He was my first choice, and I know if we would have beaten Villa I would have been gun-ho for Dunc.

BUT!!!

When Duncan came out and just dismissed the very idea of him being full time manager, I turned. Duncan flatly stated he didn't want and wasn't considered for the job.

That was a big, big 180 for me. Duncan has been there for a long time in the wings. If a man isn't brave enough to step up when it's his time, he's not the man to lead other men.

And I'm not shitting on Duncan, just stating my position that once he said he didn't want the job, I simply discounted him.

And that begs the question, now more than ever:

What the fuck is his future, and more harshly, what is the point of Duncan Ferguson in 2022?

Take your shot man, or disappear into the void of irrelevance.

Or! Go manage a team in the lower leagues and earn your keep. See you in the future.

Choice is Duncan's.

Did Duncan get interviewed though Jamie?

I’ve heard reports mixed reports that he was/wasn’t part of the final 3 interviews yesterday. Perhaps someone can confirm.

If he had managed to get a result at Villa, he probably would have remained in charge after the international break to give him a chance to prove himself and/or allow a more considered search.

Small margins.

Jamie@159 I reckon you made your point there clearly and concisely. I agree -- Duncan does not think he is yet up to it, which does surprise me. perhaps he sees too much of the crap that exists and feels it needs an outsider to sort it out. Bejesus the five before him haven't been able to, so how could he do so.

I supported both Carlo and Rafa, in the hope that their experience would help them identify the rotten eggs and have the will and wisdom to fuck them off. Clearly I was wrong.

Hopefully, it takes a younger man of character to do the job and so I hope Frank is that man. The alternative is something quite revolutionary and that is to select a hard-nosed female coach as I've witnessed women in business work magic where the blokes have failed. However, I doubt ToffeeWeb would be able to cope with the racket that would ensue - Ha! Ha!

Onward and upward!!!

For fuck's sake... here we go again – when will this fucken club learn?

There's a reason he's out of work. Norwich didn't think he was good enough and he wanted the job. But hey, he's okay to manage Everton.

We will doing this same shit in 8 months time. When he left Chelsea, they were playing shit and that is why he got sacked. When you consider the amount of talent at Chelsea and he couldn't get them playing at their best, it seems to be the Everton way we only get people who have failed at other clubs.

We had a chance to really sort this club out, but no, we dive in and hire the best of three that are available.

It does not matter who comes in – they are not going to be able to go and invest in a miracle midfield player unless one of two things we sell one of our better players or we get a loan player.

Apparently Hearts have got a player we might be interested in Beni Baningime!

Joe # 145 - This fella was seen lurking around Goodison just before the graffiti appeared.

Graffiti Suspect

For fuck's sake, give him a chance! He's only been a manager for 2 seasons... I'm made up if he takes over, he'll have modern ideas and hopefully some connections we can exploit for new players

I loved Duncan Ferguson as a player but his tactics are stale, that side he picked last weekend proved to me he is not ready as we were atrocious.

Lampard brought them players to Chelsea who Tuchel won the Champions League with and Tuchel always references Lampard when he speaks about the Champions League win. He got them to an FA Cup Final as well.

we've tried all sorts of managers and hounded them out without giving some enough time (I don't mean Benitez) so let's give him time as he is taking over one of the worst squads of shitbags and losers I've had the misfortune to watch.

Lampard's points-per-game average of 1.67 is the lowest of any permanent Chelsea manager in the Premier League.

During the Abramovich era, only Andre Villas-Boas (47.5%) has a worse win rate than Lampard's 52.4%, in all competitions among permanent Chelsea bosses.

Jamie #159, that seems a bit harsh, man. We're not necessarily talking about lack of bravery here.

There are lots and lots of VPs and directors and middle management executives out there in the world who have absolutely no desire to be the CEO. They don't want the pressure, they don't want all that expectation on their shoulders, they don't want a job that will completely consume their lives.

Or they've looked at themselves and realized they just don't have what it takes to lead. They like being part of an organization but lack the ambition and drive for the top job. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Whatever Duncan's reasons, be they personal or professional, good on him for recognizing it.

I don't put that down to a lack of courage at all. Particularly for a man who has overcome alcohol and personal issues in his life.

John @33, after reading that article I don't think you are the only one who doesn't like Frank Lampard, mate.

Good post, Mike (166) - I agree.

Duncan is not to be derided for not taking up the manager's position at Everton. He obviously feels he is not up to the task – absolutely no shame in that.

The world is full of people who try to hide their incompetence - in politics, sports, culture, business, etc. And leave behind a mess for others to clean up.

I love the big guy's passion and love for Everton. I hope he goes out and gets himself a stint managing a football club in the Championship of League One or Two. If he is successful and gets the confidence needed to manage at a higher level, who knows he could come back to manage Everton one day? 'Never say never' and all that.

On Frank, I am a bit nervous seeing the headlines:

"Lampard set to succeed Benitez as Everton boss... TW"
"Frank Lampard offered Everton managerial Job... BBC"
"Lampard leading candidate after Everton interviews. SkySports"

No report on whether he has accepted the job or not. I hope to God that we don't receive a nasty surprise today. Hopefully, we get the appointment done and also he brings a real 'A-Class' backroom team to help him with this very tough job.

Hopefully, we also sign 1-2 players in the next couple of days. He is going to be under pressure from Day 1, but the fans are likely to give him time to get his training and tactics imposed on the team.

As I mentioned earlier, we have a decent front 4, but they need some creativity behind them. 1 creative midfielder and 1 no-nonsense player who can shield the back 4. Barkley and Milivojevic will do for me - the former on loan and the latter on outright purchase (£6-8 million should do it). But time is running out

The next 24 hours define the future for EFC. If Lampard clears that toxic, sentimental, ineffective bench – he has a chance. If he agrees to keep them on, he is doomed like all the rest.

I'm hopeful of this appointment and should see more game time for the likes of Dobbin, Branthwaite and Onyango and a few more.

This shouldn't detract from the real problems though – we still need to keep driving home the incompetence of this board. Change is long overdue and the likes of Kenwright and Co need to be removed with competent decision makers who can look to take the club forward over the medium to longer term.

Change has to come about.

I think Frank Lampard is the luckiest man in the world.

He was lucky to walk in to a plum job at Derby in his first job in management who had just missed out on promotion and was lucky enough to get the help of Chelsea to get some of their gems to help him succeed. Despite these being so advantageous, he still failed to do so.

He then unbelievably gets the Chelsea job based on circumstances and association; he mustn't have believed his luck. He performs worse than his predecessor and succcessor, fails to get a tune out of one of the biggest transfer sprees the Premier League has seen, unbalances both the defence and midfield, and makes some world-class players look like garbage. They fly without him.

His punishment is that he walks in-to the Everton job. Now his luck has gone to a new level. He gets passed over for smaller clubs, has had no success, shouldn't even be a candidate, has the worst CV of any Everton Manager, they can't get their preferred options (due to Belgium FA and Sky interviews) and still ends up getting the job.

The irony of it all is that I should be furious with this appointment but I'm not, I'm hopeful, similar to when Silva was appointed. I am not convinced he is the right man but I am intrigued to see what happens.

When we appointed Ancelotti and Benitez, I had little hope – football of a bygone era and with Ancelotti we put his ego before the good of the club. Now with Lampard he brings a different dimension and because of his inexperience I am actually less confident that he will fail than his predecessors bizarrely, yet he has only known failure so far.

There are positives I can see;

1) Lampard will leave the club better than he finds it. He won't bring in those ridiculous big money signings like Allan which just drain the club.

2) He will be the first manager since Moyes and Martinez to identify youth as the key. Expect to see the like of Branthwaite and Dobbin a lot more and one or two from the academy. Our bench won't be full of goalies and Rondon.

3) He will play three in the midfield or use Silva's system and play possession-based football.

4) He may be lucky again in that he is the right man at the right time. After 2 years of being under the shackles of conservatism, players will feel alive again as Lampard will let them loose and give them freedom to express themselves. Expect a big bounce factor in the short term.

5) Connections: he will get the best young English talents to come here and hopefully he just signs Chelsea's reserve right-back immediately, if Lamptey and the Southampton lad are anything to go by.

Good luck Frank, welcome to Everton!

A young British Manager. The first since Moyes.

The most unifying option of an angry, embarrassed and frustrated fan base.

Lampard was quoted as saying as a player that GP was the hardest opposition ground to play at with the hostile fans being right on top of you. He might just know and respect more about the club than we realise.

I would like to see Dunc resigned to a new role at the club and allow Frank to bring his own coaching team in.

I wouldn't have been suicidal if Duncan had been given the appointment but, by his own admission on more than one occasion, he did voice that he didn't think he was ready for it. I was also quite fearful that, had the stubborn Board given him the post, we may have been looking relegation in the face even more so than we are now.

For all the talk of Duncan being able to rally the players etc, there was little evidence of that when he was acting as assistant to a succession of managers. Even when he could see the shambles on the pitch before him, he never jumped up and punched the air or gave vocal encouragement from the dug-out!

Frank has a task on his hands and I just hope he can steady the ship. Any more forays into the Transfer Market, given that it closes in two days, doesn't give him much wriggle room, that is, assuming we are able to get players in, either on loan, or makeshift short-term purchases.

Obviously there will be some that don't approve of our new (would be) manager, (he hasn't accepted officially yet !) but I feel the majority of fans will back him wholeheartedly. As Kunal said, this is a positive move, but we still need to address the issues of the Board and Kenwright and Co. Hopefully that will come about when we are safe.

Personally, the right choice for me. Young, hungry, respected and with a point to prove. He's a serial winner, with good contacts, and plays exciting attacking football. Gives youth a chance if their good enough, and someone that the players will look up to.

As for all the talk about inexperience, well he was born into football, and don't forget he has a certain uncle, who I'm sure he could call upon if he needed any advice. Welcome aboard, Frank, and good luck!

It will be interesting to see Frank's approach to Duncan... It's starting to feel he's a bit like Larry the Cat at Downing Street. He comes with the job.

Dazzler 70

Posting and the Scottish wine is never a good combination.

None of us know if he’ll be successful or not, we can only hope.

Once the goodwill factor has dissipated we will return to our separate camps to either back him or devour him.

This is Everton, Frank. Welcome aboard. Now put on your helmet. Incoming!!!

Next step is moving Ferguson sideways and away from first-team coach role. You simply can't keep foisting him on every manager. I like Duncan but It's completely unprofessional, and unfair on all parties.

No official statement yet about Franky. Hope the mad pork n cheese fella is not about to make another video. Get it done, get some players in.

No cones left at Finch Farm for Dunc... Good luck, mate – take Ebbrell with you.

Firstly, I just want to say that some of the abuse aimed at individual posters on here at times is excessive, uncalled for and beneath the general quality discourse on this site.

As for Frank, I am gently, but oh so gently, warming to the idea. They are never going to please all of us, some of you are quite frankly (see what I did there!) waaaaay too pleased about this. As many have pointed out, Frank has had a bit of a gravy train ride into management off the back of his fine playing career. He will I hope have learned a lot from his past mistakes and I guess all we really need him to do right now is keep us up.

If the rumours are to be believed that he wants to bring Barry from Chelsea to be our top coach then I might get a little more excited. Both Frank and Tuchel have vocalised their admiration, he is considered to be one of the most highly regarded set-piece coaches in the Premier League. He is from Liverpool, I hope he's an Evertonian as that would be the only way I could see him leaving his cushy number at Chelsea.

Frank would very likely get behind the youth, we have some crackers, Dobbin, Gordon and Branthwaite are the future of this club and need to be blooded expertly. Frank likes 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, no way are we set up to play the latter right now so expect 4-2-3-1. We have the players for this but defensive midfield is a massive issue due to injuries. Pray he has a transfer trick up his sleeve before Monday.

Woke up, still happy that Frank is coming to Everton from the options we were given.

Concerns now are, will he be able to have his own chosen coaching team? He needs to have a completely free hand as to who he wants to work with.

Any interference from Kenwright as to who he should choose as his backroom team is going to be a massive hindrance. Maybe to the difference between success and failure.

Whoever he wants as his main coaches must be brought in, he's got to have the best most trusted team around him to stand the best chance of success. The Everton job will consume him in no time if he doesn't have his chosen and preferred support team around him.

He's young and inexperienced as a manager; I can't help feeling how important this is to his chances of success at Everton.

I'll be watching now to see what happens with his preferred coaching team and calibrating my expectations.

Secondly, he's not a magician. There's two and a bit days left to get two midfielders in who can handle the massive battles ahead. Two central midfielders who can fight and are good on the ball too. A blueprint for Frank as to the type of midfielders we need are his former teammates: N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic. Players who give opponents nothing but headaches for 90minutes.

Find two like that Frank and we will be transformed. Failure to and you are guaranteed to suffer and struggle . Two days to do it.

You've been told.

Are we still allowed to call him Fat Frank?

Is it okay to still hate his father because of 1980?

Time to get off Kenwright's back, guys and gals. It's becoming boring! Okay, I understand the need for a scapegoat but it's on almost every ToffeeWeb thread and that's several steps too far. Whether we love him, like him, hate him or dislike him, he is (at heart) a true Evertonian like the rest of us. Can we at least try to gather together some unity other than whinging about him?

For example, can we just dislike the RS or even better, not give a damn because hate is too close to love. Same with Man Utd and Man City and Spurs and Arsenal etc etc etc. If Frank is the chosen one, let's all get behind him and support the entire team and help them survive in the EPL this season, at least.

I've lived in Adelaide, Australia for the past 35 years and remember, before coming here, the really good times. I'm as pissed off as every other Evertonian. Unity and support is now even more important than ever.

Hopefully, Frank, a young and up-coming manger, is the right choice. Let's get behind him 100% and, first and foremost stay in Premier League. My family and I are looking to be watching Premier League football in the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock sometime in 2024-25. This is my one and only bucket-list item!

I would add that I think Ferguson will be shown the door this week. Part of me thinks it's time but I will be sad and, if that is the case, I hope we give him an incredible send-off.

Many more than balanced comments on here on both sides of the fence. I'm firmly sat on it looking both ways. Too many good comments to single out, but:

I agree with Kieran (@113) and have said that on previous appointments, and let's face it, there's been more than a few of those. The incoming manager selects his coaching staff. That's all there should be to it and maybe that has been the case?

John Boon; I too do not care where a player or manager comes from. As it's topical with regards to Lampard, I don't buy into this cockney style "bow bells" definition of what constitutes an Evertonian. I'm no bigger an Evertonian than any supporter or ex-player regardless of how long they've followed or been associated with the club. We're all Evertonians; as big as each other.

Good reply Darren @172. It reminded me of the time when my framed beside picture of Grahame Sharp finally had to go.

Agree Tony 182. Best of a bad but realistic bunch for me. He has to have his own coaches. Maybe that’s the holdup?

Can’t see how we will sign anyone before the end of the window. Prepared for the usual, we tried but we ran out of time to get it over the line.

Steve post 185. I hope Dunc, Rhino, Ebbrell, Baines, Denise and Bill all get the send-off they deserve.

On Lampard's supposed "failure" as Chelsea boss – he had the job during(and probably because of) the transfer embargo. Big names will have been uneasy doing the job with that problem. He actually got to the FA Cup final and got them to 4th place in the Premier League. Not too bad, in my opinion.

He also had faith in youth(the embargo must have influenced him) but he was instrumental in the emergence of Mount, Tomori, James etc.
I think he was the best of the three and feared that the Portuguese guy could so easily have imploded and turned a bad situation fatal.

As for Duncan Ferguson, I am a bit embarrassed for him that he keeps being included as part of the furniture. Embarrassed because Ancelotti clearly ignored him during games, preferring Davide's input. Benitez seemed to talk to him a little on the bench but the tub-thumping warrior that might have made a difference on pitch-side was clearly instructed to keep schtum.

If he has to help Frank, then please let's see him bellowing instructions on behalf of his manager and let's see him and Lampard talking and scheming like Jody Morris does.

I can understand the big feller not going for the manager's job because it is a sure way to break links with the club within 2 or 3 years. If he can stay on the staff, he has longevity and security. Lots of folk want that and, if he is happy doing that and he contributes enough, then good for him.

I think Frank will bring about a better attitude from our players. He is intelligent and has a record of developing youth. He was a top player and our players should respect that.

Good luck, Frank.

Steve #160

There was a photo of Duncan travelling to London from Liverpool on the train for it is assumed the interview on Twitter. But I think Kieran (#88) has it right, that the interviews were conducted to make it look like it was a thought-out decision. It may also have been a negotiating ploy in dealing with Lampard, IMO.

I never considered Big Dunc a candidate. He would never take on the job. He is about permanent employment (which is fair enough, many of us are the same) and is fortunate in not being accountable, unlike the manager and his team. Which is strange in football given his profile. He is a Blood Brother.

I admit I am trying to get my head around this "for the birds" management selection process. Though the selection processes appear formal to many, I have developed the attitude they are after initially hoops, simply about putting your face forward, and it either fits or not. This is what I tell my children. So keep putting your face forward, Evertonians. Moshiri is susceptible to fan pressure, which he does bring a lot of on himself.

Initially, Lampard had no chance, but Moshiri's management selection ability flaw played out in a Sky Sports phone-in. He had selected a nutter. Kenwright, on his way to hell, doesn't care who is selected. He will continue as Chairman – photo-opping on the mobile, the modern equivalent of carrying a clipboard.

Effectively Evertonians found they had no choice but to have to takeover. It was them or a failed second-hand car salesman called Kia (not Korean, Iranian). They have now selected the manager, but will have to continue to make Moshiri accountable and get rid of Kenwright & Co.

So we have Frank Lampard who is interested in good football. With fan and media support, he can't be scapegoated the same as other Managers. So Everton may gain some much-needed stability.

The job is difficult with a bunch of rag-tag players on stupid contracts and an administration deep in an FFP mess. Substitute 'P' with 'S' and get the reality.

What Lampard can bring is a younger perspective. God, we have tried everything and why not? We are on the floor.

I think he will improve our walk-through midfield, but will have a steep learning curve with Everton's error-prone defense. Forward-wise, he needs a left foot, better final-third interplay, and some semblance of twinkle toes in the box, and players bothered to be in correct positions and tracking back.

Good luck, Frank; Good Luck, Evertonians. You are all going to need it. Everton may not avoid relegation, but at least they might get back up quickly. He and Evertonians might even achieve Premier League Survival.
.

Why isn't Frank already at Finch Farm teaching the basics, like passing to each other and not the oppo? There's no time to lose!

I repeat what I said at #90. I expected to wake up this morning with the news that Frank is new manager. All of the above for me is premature. The final whistle hasn't sounded.

I have no opinion on Frank, but got the sense at Chelsea that he had difficulty managing the high profile established players; hence he turned to youth to show who's boss. However, he was probably the safest option of those willing to take on the job.

I was of he same opinion when Rafa was willing to take on the job, who wasn't my preferred choice (it was Potter), thinking he's experienced in the Premier League and hopefully would take on the complacency at Finch Farm. A fine mess he got us into.

Hopefully, if Frank takes it, he will begin to build back confidence. If he refuses, we really are in big trouble.

I always thought that Lampard was a better player than Gerrard. I now hope he turns out to be a better manager, too.

If it's Lampard, good luck to him. For now, just about staying up. Hope he remembers his boots.

Of the candidates available, this is most likely the best option.

Chances are we'll see Barkley back at Goodison by Monday, which will improve the squad.

Common sense would seem to have prevailed.

Lampard hasn't accepted the job yet, he's been offered it. Lampard is not yet Everton's manager.

He probably will accept, but there's a small chance it may not happen. I expect there are still unresolved issues around his backroom staff, such as Lampard trying to persuade some to come with him and telling Moshiri some existing staff must be replaced at Everton.

Possibly a case of "I'll accept as long as……"

Hugh (193) agree with your player comment. He’s also probably still better than anyone in our midfield.

Best of a not very inspiring bunch. That's not being too mealy-mouthed I hope because there are plenty of positives.

I like the fact that Lampard is willing to go now, rather than summer. Bold move. He backs himself not to take us down.

Someone said it's not going to divide the fans – probably right.

Like others, I see this as a plus for our young players. Lampard will be a legend to these guys. There's a good chance Dobbin signed precisely because of Lampard.

We're well placed for a 4-3-3 – except in central midfield. I don't think he'll be especially impressed with what he sees 0150 having been part of the magnificent trio with Essien and Makelele. I expect the club will be trying to bring someone in – notwithstanding financial constraints. Maybe a loan for Van de Beek, Dele Alli, Loftus-Cheek or Lingard. Might see Godfrey and / or Holgate as the defensive midfielder.

Patterson and Mykolenko will be better placed in that set-up.

I expect he'll be able to get everyone looking like they're enjoying it for the first time in a while.

Colin #191,

He has to avoid a photo op with two twits in tracksuits.

If the appointment is confirmed in the coming hours/days I can only wish the man the best of luck. He would have to be in place today in order to get any transfer business done before Monday evening.

I hope that he brings a high quality defensive coach with him and that he becomes an Everton Legend!

As for the unsuccessful candidates, I wish them well also, they put their hands up and wanted the role.

Keep your phone handy, Darren, because after the three candidates, you are possibly the most mentioned person on this thread, and so it wouldn't surprise me if you got a call off the new manager today, asking you what it's like, when everyone starts to turn on yer!

We can only have massive hope for what Frank can achieve at Everton but is there any hope? Id say no with the woeful weakness of the squad and that so many managers through the revolving door have failed to fix.

Duncan?, it will be a disgrace if he is forced on the incoming Coach.

Breakings News:

Graffiti Writer hired as Director of Communications

Robert 198, good point. Lampard was the only candidate who could get any meaningful transfer business done by Monday. And the Villa match showed that a morale boost alone won't be enough this time, we need some new personnel.

Alan @ 203,

"Breaking News: Graffiti Writer hired as Director Of Communications"

There you go – the writing was on the wall! :-)

I just almost choked on my tea reading this-

continually burying his head in the sand and then being outraged when he's fucked by more intelligent passers-by.

With respect, I sincerely hope you have not included yourself in that faction.

a typical post from yourself -

Finch Farm, rage, rant, fury
Ex-players- rant, stealing a wage, spittle flying
Kewnwright, Blood pressure rising, anger, incoherent rambling

But thank you for starting my day off right

Dereck#205

Bill thinks he has discovered a Evertonian Banksy.

Barry Hesketh @118 posted this last night but it’s too good a quote to have been seen only by insomniacs!
I posted on TW some weeks ago about Barry, following a good article from The Sunday Times. He’s a perfectionist and has an almost forensic mind in his attention to detail. He’s from Childwall and was on Everton’s books but didn’t make the grade so turned to coaching after lower leagues football. If Lampard does come and brings his already assembled backroom staff, including Barry, it shows the he too wants to hit the ground running.

‘Lampard has spent the last 6 months assembling a very experienced backroom team in preparation for his return to management. Also cancelled a scheduled family trip abroad to show how much he wanted the job’

Chelsea coach Anthony Barry is likely to follow Frank Lampard to Goodison. England Assistant Manager. Steve Holland could also join’

We've almost got a keen, hungry, young, English manager, which is what we have been after for some time. I hope he's given a chance to succeed like Graham Potter has been at Brighton. We need a change and we need to put a wedge in that revolving managerial door and get some pride back. He can do it with our support. Good luck Frank. Make us forget the past 20 years

Still nothing official, buy my guess is that they are all travelling back up to Liverpool by train, will be met at Runcorn station and then driven to finch farm for official announcement and photo shoots.

Will be exactly that Rob, lots of photos, video interviews etc etc before they will announce this afternoon

Mark. How can we forget. He’s still hovering about breaking down any mention of Hickson

It will be a real coup if we get Anthony Barry, he is a fantastic coach especially defensively

Colin@ 191 spot on mate, many a true word said in jest. 👍

Bloody hell, Rob. Have you been given the itinerary or have you been designated his minder?

I hope he accepts the offer and his missus doesn’t do a Giroud on us,

Sounds like Barry and Steve Holland are both willing to join him on Merseyside.

“The Everton job will consume him in no time, if he doesn't have his own chosen support and preferred support team team around him.”

Tony E, post@182, thanks Tony, because this must be the most sensible, important and accurate thing that has been written on this whole thread imo, mate.

Darren,

You peeled me off the ceiling after the opponent of Benitez... consider this a more considered comforting. This is a good appointment.

I'd have like to have seen Ferguson to the end of the season, but I'm not convinced he has the balls for it (ironically).

Good luck Frank.

There are no guarantees that any manager will be a success, Ancoletti proved that but I hope that Frank Lampard, if he eventually takes the job, will at least keep us up this season and then start the the very hard process of getting a good squad of players together and having a good chance of some silverware.

I think Frank is in a win win situation, nothing is really expected of him, keeping us up, a very tough job, will get him plenty of kudos, if he fails then many people will say we were a hopeless case before he started.

Anyway best of luck Frank I know a large majority of fans will be right behind you and the team especially at home and you might be surprised at the terrific support Everton get in the away games, keep us up and you are half way there to being accepted by everyone.

I think this is potentially a great appointment. Thanks to whoever did the graffiti at Goodison.

So the news is he's been offered the job. What happens now? Let's say he says he doesn't want it for whatever reason, what then? One assumes it's all to do with the contract and backroom staff now, right?

Or am I missing something...

Seems the most logical explanation, Colin. There's a train from London due at Lime Street in about 25 minutes, so that would be due at Runcorn any time now. Be at Finch Farm about 10:20, photoshoots and announcement at midday!!

Ha ha Colin. Your Nostradamus crown of old has been inherited by Rob!! Glasstrodamus is dead, long live the Hasstrodamus!!!

They won't be arriving for a while as Bill has bought "Off-Peak" tickets for the train, so the first one leaving Euston will be mid-afternoon. He's also asking everybody to pair up for "Two Together" railcards so they can save 30% on the fares.

They are also "open-ended" return tickets, so don't count yer chickens until Frank is pictured in the (hopefully No 10) shirt, and it's formally announced, with Bill announcing 500 clubs in the Premier League were after Frank, but he chose Everton!!

Tony E 182, that is true - he will gain respect if he shows us he is his own man - there seem few in evidence at Everton.

Massive job just keeping us in top-flight football.

I want that and I want him to aim for high ground by playing good football. Anything on top of that in the immediacy is a bonus given the paucity of the last 3 decades but, with that approach, he will retain fan support and ignite Goodison.

James, all that would have been discussed yesterday. I’m pretty sure we have heard by now he’d have rejected the job, for whatever reason, other than what you state.

Presumably the delay is due to sorting out backroom staff.

Getting rid of Duncan Ferguson will say much more about the club's change in direction than the appointment of Lampard.

News yesterday seemed to suggest Jody Morris wasn't involved, which potentially leaves Duncan in a job? They really need to cut the cord, much as I love the man.

It's time for a real change in direction and management, and Lampard should bring that hopefully.

Jettison Duncan, let him go and find a job somewhere else where he can gain experience in another club culture that isn't slathered in glorious tears of the past.

Rob, Keith, if we could hire a private jet to fly in Sissoko from Newcastle (which Bill still hasn't paid for) then surely we could get a Sopwith Camel for Frank to use.

I don't like the idea of Lampard being on his own with Kenwright for such a long time. By the time he gets to Runcorn, he'll be sick and tired of Billy's bullshit stories.

Perhaps Dunc is the sticking point...

The "delay" in the announcement could be for the most mundane of reasons, one being the fact that until the talks took place the actual wording of the contract couldn't be drawn up and therefore signed.

The most likely reason, IMO, is that the club didn't want to make the announcement late in the evening with no fanfare but rather wait and (dare I say it) do it properly today with all the pomp and Skyfoolery that goes with a new managerial appointment.

Looking forward to one loan and one permanent signing before that window slams shut on Monday. That window certainly takes some stick the number of times it's bleedin' slammed shut. No clue as to why it just can't be gently closed to save wear and tear on the hinges and locks which are not cheap these days – replacement parts readily available at Wickes though.

I think he is the right appointment but I still feel flat and underwhelmed. Have the last 6 months drained me of my passion for the club?

I genuinely hope all our energy can go into supporting the team rather than into getting rid of the manager and celebrating the fact that Benitez has gone!

So I am warming to Frank Lampard now; I can see him coming in and getting an immediate response from the key players in the squad.

But I'm getting nervous now as we always manage to fuck these things up at some point. No doubt having Ferguson as his sidekick is a major sticking point.

It all seems too convenient on the timing given the transfer window is about to close. We end up with a new manager but we get stuck with some bang-average players that should have been moved on years ago. What a mess we are in!

He is the Messiah, I should know, I’ve followed a few!

My first thoughts were to give it to Duncan till the end of the season.

For a permanent role, given the all-flawed 'final three', I'd have gone for Lampard. Here's my reasons why:

Managed Chelsea when they were embargoed - 4th place & FA Cup Final

Brings through younger players

Good coaching team - if he can bring them

More likely to attract & retain better, younger players

He will need time, he will need to be left alone by Moshiri & Kenwright. He will need to learn from his mistakes at Chelsea.

Every choice would have been a gamble. Medium-term, he is the choice with more going for him.

Good luck Frank.

And, in many ways more significantly, good luck ,Tim!

Why has he not been announced publicly as the manager? Blue Bill penny-pinching again hoping to save by waiting until the 1st of the month.

Is he the right man? Ask me again in 2months time but until then we have to give him full support, assuming he has got the appointment. Wonder how Mrs Lampard received the news, probably a quick, "Go edd, Lah!" or "You 'avin' a larrff!"

I really thought Moshiri would land us with Pereira but thankfully sense prevailed and the right option was selected. Many talk about him being young and inexperienced; well just to say he is older than Kendall, Moyes and Silva when they became Everton managers.

Unlike Kendall and Moyes (when they came) he has managed in the Premier League. He also has played under our last 2 managers, last one to do that was Bingham who had played under Carey and Catterick.

I think what gives me confidence is it seems like he is bringing Anthony Barry from Chelsea, who was on our books, he does a lot of work on Chelsea's defensive set ups and apparently Tuchel will fight to keep him.

He is also rumoured to be bringing Steve Holland as his assistant, who is currently assistant to Gareth Southgate in the England set-up. Many attribute Holland's input into England being just as important as Southgate's. Holland has also worked under quite a few different managers at Chelsea and will bring a great deal of experience.

There are no guarantees in football and every appointment is a gamble, but I believe that, with Lampard and Holland, and supported by Barry, they will give us a far better chance going forward.

Just hoping it's confirmed today and Frank can bring in a midfielder and few more players before Monday night. I'm delighted the board came to their senses and picked the best candidate.

I differ from a lot of the comments, I thought he was a success at Derby – didn't they fight to keep him, and the squad of players that Tuchel won the Champions League with were all signed by Lampard, so I believe he can be proud of his achievements at Chelsea.

I'm expecting big things from Frank – a whole new backroom team, his own boss – but I hope he finds a place for Duncan, to be honest.

The optimist me is thinking:

Frank will be announced when the coaching team is all in place and also a new signing or two and a loan, Lingard? All theatre and fanfare.

The pessimist in me is saying Frank says No, and the board come out and say;

“We tried to give the fans what they wanted but we hit a snag at the 11th hour, so we have turned to our joint favourite, Vitor.”

At 10:59:59 on Monday.

All I really know is, out of the 3, Frank is better to look at.

Hallefuckinglujah.

Crikey, if he brought Holland and Barry as his assistants then I really could get excited about this. Add to the mix a forward-thinking DoF who has full control of footie matters (Campos, please... yes, now I am dreaming) and things will start to look up, I am sure.

Just get on with it, Everton, a midfielder is essential. Sam and Robert, any central midfielders in the Championship we could go in for on a permanent contract?

The deal's off!!

On the train to Merseyside, Frank asked Bill could he get some peanuts and a bottle of water. Bill refused, claiming Farhad had taken his last tenner to pay for his taxi. But Bill did offer him a half sucked Polo mint and some soup in a flask that his Filipino houseboy prepared (the readymade stuff).

Frank, miffed by this treatment, told Bill where to shove his Polo mint and upgraded himself to First Class so he could be on his own. Bill is texting David, Roberto and Duncan to see who will save him before the train pulls in.

I've spent the morning watching the YouTube video of Lampard telling Klopp to fuck off and I'm really warming to this appointment. Yeah, you can call me bitter if you like, but I love shit like that - he's got passion, he's got style, and he knows a wanker when he sees one. He'll do me.

Live streaming from EFC - watch some concrete being poured into a hole at BMD now!

Christy # 236. I agree. Many people say Lampard was a failure at Chelsea. Well if that’s failure, let’s hope he has the same kind of failure with us!

I think if I was a young player at Everton, I would be delighted that Lampard was appointed, as he showed with Mason Mount and Reece James he will give youth a chance. I am sure Duncan would also have given the youngsters a chance had he got the job, but not sure that would have been the case had Pereira got the job.

There has been some speculation in to what happens with Duncan if Lampard brings in Holland and Barry as his assistants, I have no idea as to what role Duncan may have going forward, but I don't think he will be offered an assistants job.

Maybe put him in charge of the U23s or let Unsworth carry on doing that and let Ferguson take on the role they have just given to Unsworth, which is to oversee everything right up to U23 level.

Colin: no way Kenwright would give his last polo, half sucked or not! I’m calling BS on that!

Brian @235

Kendall also played in Bingham's teams a grand total of seven league games and one FA Cup match, as well as the many more he appeared in under Catterick.

Stuart # 247 - correct—— he just scored a hatrick.😂

Barry 246

I stand corrected you are right Howard did play a few games under Bingham as well as Catterick.

Winston # 245. Bill relented and said “Ok Frank, you have the mint and I’ll have the hole”!!

Odrissa Gueye, on loan. Just saying.

Not sure about this hope I am wrong but he has the worst win rate of any Chelsea manager in the premier league says. It all really

For me, I'll give Lampard my backing but we know for a fact it's a poisoned chalice. Dunc doesn't want it so he probably went to London to be told who he's working with. Unless he wants to go, Dunc appears to be in a job for life (believed to be Kenwright's doing as he was bankrupt).

It's up to the manager to pick the right player for the right position and play more than two in midfield to stop being overrun (as every man and his dog knows). We need additions here it sticks out like a sore thumb, the dross needs to go but it looks like it'll be via expiring contracts.

Hopefully with the right players and the right tactics, plus blood sweat and tears from the players, we can survive this mess. Then comes the Big Crunch – getting shut of Kenwright and his leeches who know jack-shit about running a football club – only ruining it.

Sorry but can someone confirm is Lampard being announced today?

Mick Roberts,

Benitez has that accolade for us – so let's see if he can stop the rot once and for all.

Mick #254.

And Benitez had the sixth-best win rate of Premier League managers.

You can massage stats all ways.

Lampard's first signing has to be a new bloody server for TW!! This one's useless.

The use of the term 'Fat Frank', regardless of who he plays for or manages, is one of the roughly two thousand things I hate about soccer. It's fucking childish to call people names. Fairly simple.

The red Echo now saying contract negotiations have just begun. Lampard accepted the offer, verbally, but details (wage, length, back room staff etc..) still to be sorted out.

I hope Bill has a biro on him this time.

Laurie (249) - Lampard effect already. Rondon is now Drogba.

Shane, agreed. Unless he is an ex-kopite dinosaur who sent us plummeting to 16th position.

If / when Frank signs he's not going to have much time for bringing players in, hope there's somebody working on it behind the scenes.

I've a good feeling about this managerial appointment, come on Everton get it done, give him what he wants. COYB.

Can we stop it with the damn Lampard love-in and get back to freaking out about transfers?

If Lampard doesn't come, in part it would be that he read the constant drivel on here. For fuck's sake, any appointment isn't going to be popular to everyone but unfortunately most of, if not all of us on here have no say on who's chosen apart from not going to games in protest.

Whoever is appointed, give them the time to sort out the players as it's been a long time coming and, with luck, Frank may bring in the quality we so desperately need.

And stop having a go at the board and the owner. Without them, we would be spending the next 100 years at Goodison and not looking forward to our new home which is a ground I thought I would never see!!!

Dont get too excited it could fall through yet, I doubt it but he's not yet signed on the dotted line.

Colin (262) So it's not sorted yet? Contract details still be agreed, backroom staff as well. Presumably that means the big D question too. So what the fuck were they doing all day yesterday? You couldn't make it up. They are going to cock this up. Clowns.

Peter, they offered him the job. He probably said yes, so now they will work out a contract suitable to all.

People ITK thinks he’ll be announced as our manager tonight at the earliest.

#275 Colin, if they pull off that transfer swoop I'll give me self a reach around.

Colin #275 don't get too excited yet (though it has been an "interesting" day or two!) - contracts still to be signed, wider decisions on backroom staff, negotiations about new players. And it could still be Duncan yet!!

If he's verbally agreed and if he does sign, let's hope part of those negotiations have included backing on which players he wants as well as coaching staff.

Surely the club has had the foresight to plan even in this self-imposed compressed window?

I know, I realise I've used 'foresight' and a reference to Everton in the same sentence, but thought I'd leave it as it came out originally.

I have complete faith in their ability to fuck up, even when success is assured.

Peter #274... So what the fuck were they all doing all day yesterday?

Well, they probably had breakfast in their plush 5-star hotel, followed by a couple of brandies in the bar. They then retreated to the conference room in their plush 5-star hotel for interviews.

This would have been followed by a three course lunch, followed by brandies in the bar. Around 4pm, afternoon tea would have been taken, followed by brandies in the bar.

After a late afternoon nap, they all retreated back to the restaurant for a five-course dinner, followed by brandies in the bar, where they remained well into the night.

Bill would have woke up this morning and thought “Fuck, we didn't negotiate a contract with Frank! This can be done back at Finch Farm.”

Bill hurriedly knocks on the doors of Farhad, Denise and Frank, shouting and screaming about this predicament. They all rush down to the restaurant for breakfast, no brandies at the bar this time, followed by a quick dash to Euston for the train back to Liverpool.

Contract negotiations are finally underway in the restaurant at Finch Farm. Brandy on standby to formally toast the arrival of Frank Lampard as the new Everton manager.

Whilst I'm all for radical change, I really think Duncan really needs to stay until at least the summer. Too much change could be counter productive at this stage. He's clearly liked and respected by the players, and he can help Lampard manage them as he beds in.

Lampard needs to tweak the formation (more in midfield), tweak set-pieces (man to man) and give the players more motivation from the start to get in front before sitting back. Fundamental rip-and-replace change can come in the summer if he manages to keep us up.

An unspectacular, sensible choice all things considered. Had the potential to improve and is a young manager who has something to prove. Unlike our last 2 managers, this could actually be a career-defining job for Lampard, so he will give his all.

At the moment we need him to be a better manager than Howe, Dowie and others around us. Then, we need him to be better than Gerrard, Moyes, Lage and Co in the battle for Euro places.

Hopefully he is here for 3-5 years.

Not expecting a revolution, but steady improvement with a focus on youth would be a good start.

Hopefully he gets some coaches to sort out the defence, as hopefully Calvert-Lewin will like the appointment and stay.

Bill: "Oh Frank, but yesterday in the bar you seemed very happy to have Duncan as assistant manager for life."

You clearly have insider knowledge Rob Halligan. That sounds way too accurate an account of events.

Shane 261 - grow up mate. Sorry couldn’t resist.

Danny O'Neill, I am usually with you all the way. But endorsing those silly comments by Rob Halligan had me shaking my head in disbelief.

Haha Derek # 291. It’s not what really happened you know! It’s also the kind of stuff that many on here usually post. Lighten up will yer!

Rob (282) Thanks for the undercover report! Were you hiding in a corner of the hotel lobby?!

Rob (270), I am sticking to what I know and merely used that as a demonstration that you can call a group of people by any name you like, but the adjective doesn't necessarily classify them.

I agree too that the National Socialists abhored communism and went to war with German communists on the streets, long before the Second World War broke out.

Having said that, there is a huge distinction between communism and socialism and the two should not be confused.

John, I was behind the bar serving brandy’s.

Bought the paper this morning. Went to the back page. Picture of Lampard with the headline FRANK'S A TOFFEE. Now that is worth reading.

Nothing about Digne, nowt about Benitez, nowt about Pereira, nothing about Rooney this, Rooney that. The past just drags me down.

This is a new dawn, a new blue dawn. We're going to dominate Merseyside again. Frank's gonna tell Klopp to Fuck Off and we're going to dominate.

It's happening. January 2022 is where it all started again for us. Lampard's the new Kendall. So very happy!!!

The success or failure of the new manager in his early games will be heavily dependent on our recruitment of at least one, preferably two players for our midfield in the next two and a half days. If I was Frank I would be seeking cast iron assurances about that before I accepted the job. Indeed I might wait until the player(s) actually arrive.

Gary (281) - Thanks for the steer towards Twitter. Unfortunately,(or fortunately), I don't subscribe to either Twitter, nor Facebook nor any other social media platforms of that type.

Darren, I enjoyed your post. However, no criticism of the lovely Christine's pronunciation of Everton will be tolerated. It's an accent thing, I sometimes do it myself. If Christine says Everdon, then that's our name!!

More excited about the coaches he may bring with him. Even a defensive coach (John Terry ) is no messing about with him and always gets what he wants. Ask Wayne Bridge. Coyb

An issue for Frank will presumably be whether or not his family move with him. Moves from London to the North West are not always successful especially if the family don’t settle. Didn’t Mr Grumpy, Mourinho, live in a hotel when he was at United while his family stayed down south?

Be careful we don't overload on Number 10s like an old ciggy machine. Having said that, Gomes should never be near the first team again if we want to stay up, so I'm sure, if nothing else, Frank will know about midfield.

Are Ebbrell Dunc and Rhino fighting over cones? C'mon – we need a cull. Something's gotta give.

I don't understand this… how have the board allowed this to seep out? If Lampard's missus doesn't fancy life in Prestbury, Caldy or Formby, he'll knock us back and then the humiliation of this once great club will be complete.

Standby for more mockery. Gobshite board.

Still no news about a confirmed agreement with Frank yet. A huge red flag for me, is the fact that it as been reported that Mr Moshiri has decided to sleep on the decision. If that's true, then that smacks of Usmanov and Joorbachian still pushing for Pereira?

Also, I think another problem is with Kenwright trying to foist Duncan on Lampard. After all, Kenwright brought him back into the fold, and has supported Duncan all through this time. Maybe Uncle Bill is also still pushing for Duncan as manager?

Tic toc tiic toc tic toc

Raymond #273

Don't worry – it's ringfenced, mate. Frank's cheque is in the bank.

Where's Frankie has just won at Fairyhouse. Very apt.

Ooooo.... latest is that terms have not been agreed between the club and Lampard, hence the hold-up.

Altogether now, to the tune of "We're gonna win the league."

"We're gonna fuck it up,
We're gonna fuck it up.
And now you're gonna believe us,
And now you're gonna believe us,
And now you're gonna belieeeeeeve uuuuuus,
We're gonna fuck it up."

And the sign said; "The words of a prophet were written on the Main Stand wall''.

With all the manager circus and relegation worries, nobody seems to be talking about the contracts of 3 key players which will expire next summer. Allan, Mina, Doucouré. If nothing is done soon, the club will be forced to sell at a significantly reduced rate or even have them leave without a fee next year. That's over £60M that was spent on them.

In addition, all the wasters who will be leaving this summer without a fee: Tosun, Kenny, Delph and an unnamed player. All bought for over £75M.

With no money and very little youth talent coming through, how will they be replaced?

Phil # 309. You'd surely think Lampard would have talked through with his missus whether she wanted to move North or not, before he went for his interviews? Besides, she is no longer a presenter of The One Show, so moving north would not affect her position there.

The ideal location for the Lampards to locate too would be the leafy Cheshire area. No doubt this will be where Frank lived when he played for Man City.

Name me another club that offers a job and doesn't get a decision straight away. Everyone else announces their new manager straight away, not this in out, it's x, no y, maybe z scenario we seem to have. Just shows how crap our club is in terms of a board and clarity on strategy.

This is just to get the manager in, how the hell are we going to sign the players we need in 48 hours!?!

Shambles

Echo saying terms not agreed yet with Lampard.

Have to disagree on talented youth coming through John Zapa.

Branthwaite and Dobbin.

I'm hopeful for Lewis Warrington and keeping an eye on Stanley Mills.

And the 2 new full backs are young with potential.

I hope he sorted his family arrangements out before he even got interviewed but with a wife who's on 2 TV shows weekly and based in London, together with 3 kids all at school age, a move North mightn't be what Christine wants!

John #320,

How many of these players will have a relegation clause? Also as much as Rafa, Bill will be blamed for our current league position and these players have put us there.

If the club is relegated, then clear them all off!! Lets concentrate on staying in the league. Add 3 players by monday. Shake it up a bit.

Danny,

It's Branthwaite, but I agree, Dobbin, Warrington and Mills have all been impressive, plus Patterson. A back four of Patterson, Godfrey, Branthwaite and Mykolenko would be rapid, and allow a lot higher press up the field. This would reduce the workload on our midfield, by pushing them up into a smaller area, and the forwards can harry their defence.

Pace makes all the difference in the world, and there is a pacy team in our squad, excluding Allan and Rondon!

I don't think any hold up is because they can't agree on Lampards own personal terms, I think it's more about his back room staff. There's no doubt that Kenwright wants Duncan Ferguson to be part of it, and by the sounds of it, Lampard doesn't.

If this is the case, then yet again it's Kenwright sticking his oar in. If it was a unanimous decision to offer the job to Lampard, then he decides who he wants and doesn't want, not Kenwright.

Kenwright Out!!

Hope the terms are 'I need Ferguson out of the club'.

Duncan has had his time at this point. Time to move on, Big Man. The sentimentality needs to be put aside given the position we are in.

Lampard is in pole position to make demands, and will most probably except not getting all of them, and Everton are trying to protect some of their employees.

Forgot about Godfrey, Keith. Still only 23, which is young for a centre-back.

Well Alan Myers, who a lot seem to think is usually spot on, thinks an announcement will be made later this afternoon, or early evening.

As much as I like Duncan, if he is the sticking point then there is no other option than to let him go. Perhaps the club wants to give Dunc one last game in charge?

Leaving Everton could be the making of him, he should try and see it as an opportunity to prove himself.

As my Mrs said, Mrs Lampard may fancy the move as its closer to her Northern Irish roots.

Hearing he’s agreed a contract until June 2025. 🤞🤞🤞

“Everton manager in waiting”.

The last time I remember hearing that was when Andy Gray was going to become our new manager in the '90s. Also look at the transfer of Manny Fernandes being a done deal and Lukaku 99% signing a new contract. I'll relax when I see that Lampard has been officially announced!

But I am less concerned about Mrs Lampard not wanting to live in the north as Frank did have a spell at Man City late on in his career. Hope it all goes through and we get some midfield reinforcements before the end of Monday.

Formal offer made. Will be concluded in the next 24 hours apparently.

A lot of the BBC stuff is done from Media City in Salford now.

It's convenient all around.

If we do get this done let's embrace it and the change that follows.

But more change needed and most of us agree where. #27 years doesn't stop at this.

Rob I heard 2525 or is that a song ?

Many a slip twixt cup and lip, and while there is slightest chance of the board bungling this I remain concerned.
After witnessing this boards efforts I am conditioned to expect Steve Bruce or Tony Mowbray.

Ah yes, Exordium & Terminus: Zager & Evans, Don - showing your age? :-)

All over twitter now should be concluded in the next 24 hours

Don, it could be the year 2525 before we get a decision.

I don't know why everybody is surprised that no announcement has been made, Lampard probably didn't know till last night that he had the job. I would imagine his salary was already discussed before the decision was made.

I would think it's more to do with sorting the contracts of his backroom staff that maybe taking a few hours today. That's why this decision should have been made days ago, mind if it had, and Moshiri had gone ahead, we may well now have Pereira in charge.

I know Jody Morris was his assistant at Derby and Chelsea but rumour has it that they had a falling out and haven't spoken for months, and now Morris is looking for a manager's job in his own right.

I don't think you can tell an incoming manager who he has to have as an assistant – that's his decision alone. Now if Everton wish to keep Ferguson at the club and still pay him the same salary, then that's up to the club... but, if Lampard doesn't want him as part of his set-up, then that's the way it has to be.

Rob @317 you may be right but my thoughts are echoed by Andrew @318…why leak this offer to the press? If he says no, for whatever reason…we look like utter gobshites yet again. Utterly inept and shambolic by the so-called ‘board!’ I can’t believe that the leak has come from Lampard himself as that would jeopardise the offer. It’s the fucking club again! Tossers.

Rob @ 327, you know that oar you were referring to with Kenwright, I know where I would like to stick it, right up to the hilt, with no lubrication whatsoever !

If man is still alive, Rob. Still no news then?

Stop worrying fellas, the wife issue is no issue. He's not Wayne R. He and his wife have more GCSE's than Moshiri, Bill, Dunc, Sharp, Tim and even DBB put together. They are no mugs. It's been thought out and the Ferguson factor too. Its going to happen, don't worry

I do hope Lampard manages to get Anthony Barry to come with him, but I have my doubts whether he would want to leave Chelski for us also he was interviewed recently for the Ipswich job which he obviously didnt get, so wonder if he may only leave for a managers job, I also like the idea of John Terry coming with him, but again he is after a managers job. But, from a stability/continuity point of view, But, I think from a stability/continuity perspective that it makes sense for Duncan to stay until the end of the season

I'm sorry to be so down on the club, but on 'News now' (I know Lyndon, but sometimes there are elements of truth) I have just read the following via an article by Daniel Feliciano from Goodison News, brace yourselves...;

""Everton are yet to agree on terms with Frank Lampard for him to take over as the new manager of the club, according to Liverpool Echo.

The Toffees offered the former Chelsea and England midfielder the role on Friday night [Telegraph] after a long process following Rafa Benitez's sacking two weeks ago.

There were suggestions that Lampard had already begun taking part in the process to bring players in before Monday's transfer deadline, but the Liverpool Echo have poured cold water on those.

According to them, ‘an agreement has yet to be reached on the terms of Lampard's deal and the make-up of the backroom staff he would want at Goodison.'

That means that an announcement can't be made just yet, with them stating that an agreement on terms ‘remains some way off'.

Pushing it

It's getting to a point now where Everton are just pushing all the buttons of their fans when it comes to making this decision.

Having had the whole process played out so publicly, including Vitor Pereira even doing an interview about his job interview, the decision to pick Lampard was leaked out early once again.

They're now waiting to agree on terms to appoint him, with everyone already in full expectation that they want him.

If a deal were to collapse now then it would be yet another absolutely ridiculous moment at Goodison Park over the last month alone.

The club need to pull their finger out and get Lampard in if that's who they've decided on and ensure that he has as much time to work with the squad as possible. No more games.""

More worryingly is this by Paul Joyce;

""Everton have reportedly made a formal offer to appoint Frank Lampard as their next manager.

According to The Times's Paul Joyce, the club are in discussions with the former Chelsea boss and captain.

He claims that these negotiations are likely to end in the next 24 hours and Sunday could be when he's finalised to be the new Toffees manager.""

This could only be Everton dithering whilst the club is burning; just get Fireman Frank hired, and back him!

The leak I suspect regards Frank's appointment would be from Moshiri's people to try and keep the fans sweet? (Or Miss Congenialty ~ Not! DBB!)

Whatever the situation, if it is about contract length, get-out clauses, relegation clauses, or backroom staff; please for the Love of the Gods, get it sorted pronto!

Knowing us, we'll agree at the 11th hour and miss bringing anybody in, other than a couple of Joorabchian's rejects...

Just give him what he wants. Have a clear out and start a new era. Let him pick his own staff, ours haven't exactly done a great job.

Okay I've snapped.

I've read and listened to many different views and opinions.

I've tried to be balanced and diplomatic.

We need change not sentiment. Why is Duncan Ferguson even in the conversation (if he is)? If Lampard is to be be our manager, what can he tell him about winning? Nothing quite frankly (no pun intended).

Break the mould Everton. You're finally doing it with the stadium. Now do it with the footballing structure. It hasn't worked for 27 plus years. Arguably for over 50 years bar Howard's brief ray of joy and Joe Royle winning an FA Cup.

Change it. Top to bottom.

Sorry. Reaching for a glass.

I said before the interviews that Lampard was in a very good position to screw us.
They couldn't choose Pereira, Ferguson doesn't want it so he was in the driving seat.

Lampard’s terms are likely to be
Salary
Length of term
Support staff.
My guess is the delay is most likely to be over support staff. No serious manager would take the job if staff ie Ferguson are imposed on them

Bayern Munich, PSG and Real Madrid are about to go toe-to-toe to recruit Kenwright. Apparently, they have all been monitoring his handling of things and they very much like the cut of his gib.

Rob # 331,

Given that, have you heard what is or might be delaying a formal announcement?

I'm with you, Danny @352, I think most of us are and, to be honest, if this has got anything to do with "Please let Dunc stay", I'd sooner Lampard said, "Fuck you!"

We need a new era, we need to move forward as a club" I'd say to Kenwright " Do you want to stagnate or stay in a fucking rut forever".

I'd rather have Frank without Dunc, fresh start. No offence to Dunc but I want a new backroom staff as much as I want Lampard.

It will get done, have faith. Kenwright knows this is the Last Chance Saloon for him, surely, and Frank "Jesse James" Lampard has just pushed open the doors...

Mike, I only read that through some Twitter account, EFC Daily, I think it was, so take it with a pinch of salt. Any hold-up could be what Jonathan #354 says.

I've been guilty of it myself in the past and I think I've not joined in this time because I'm just worn down by the situation that one of the most important aspects of my life finds itself in... but!!!

People seem to be getting so worked up over something that they have no information on whatsoever, seem to have made their minds up about what the hold up is, who's fault it is, and why it's happened.

How can you be so angry (because that's how it's coming across) about something which only your own imagination, or the suggestions of others' imaginations has created?

Save any bad feelings until some information is out there that warrants anger.

Take some deep breaths, chill, and repeat to yourselves "Everything will be okay in the end; if it's not okay, it's not the end."
Aaaaaaaaaaaand breathe.

In a way, I'm surprised Lampard's put his name up for the job. He obviously knows us and the basket case we are. He must know of the off-field issues which are well documented... and as for the on-field wasters, well they're on telly every week, showing themselves to the world.

He's either an unbelievable optimist or a total dickhead who wants a few million for a couple of months work. Based on the last few years, I'd take the latter.

Danny, I think what is holding it up has a lot to do with Duncan Ferguson, Lampard will want his own back room staff while Everton are looking to draw a line down the middle to work something out, to keep Ferguson as a number two or coaching role, would not surprise me if that is what is holding this up.

As others have said salary will have been discussed, Lampard himself has said he wants the job, Unless the length of the contract, there is no other logical reason for me.

If Lampard does bring his own back room staff, I fully expect Ferguson to be sat next to Sharp in some sort of role, if that is the case, no wonder Duncan will not try his hand at Management elsewhere, job for life and easy money at Everton.

Dennis (336),

Yes, I am and I will be a damn sight older by the time they announce this.

Barry @347

I think that Lampard took Barry to Chelsea when he was there so they do have some history between them, in a good way. If that's the case, then I can see Barry returning with Lampard to the club where he was a player, albeit a junior one.

I now have a bad feeling about this. The Ferguson/Ebbrell dream team, Onyango in midfield, may yet have its moment.

Our usual negotiation arthritis.

I'm a lawyer. Have you seen the size of these documents and the number of things they cover? It won't be Lampard or the club slowing this down, it is in the hands of lawyers who don't want to be sued for rushing it and getting something vital in the deal wrong. I expect Sunday to be the day of the big announcement.

I can't believe that we haven't even contacted Lucien Favre! Link

If Frank Lampard becomes our manager, and I hope he does, if he wants to have the Everton First team coach, assistant manager and famous legend as his second man, then fair enough... if that's what he wants.

If the delay in naming him is to tell him that he has to take the aforesaid legend on his staff, I would think that Everton will never change and go forward.

I've nothing against Duncan and he may well make a good manager... if he goes out and puts himself forward for a club to hire, see how he gets on and see how many clubs, including us, want to headhunt him.

Surely to the great gods, our board (Kenwright) are not going to insist on the same leaky ship but different captain.

On second thoughts, it would surprise me if Uncle Bill paints a picture of his idea of a Family Club. If so, I think we're in for a hard time.

I think it's a hard time we're in already and we'll need everything going for us, including the manager, his staff, the players... and us, if we're going to get away from the drop zone.

Fer fuck's sake, Everton, get the man in on his terms... quick!

Well let's hope this is the first step in the right direction, David Prentice starts as senior communications manager. Brilliant appointment.

Brian 359
Totally appreciate what you say.
In my case, I have observed Kenwright destroying Everton from within for 27 years. I have consistently railed about it on here.
Duncan Ferguson seems to me to only be there to strengthen Kenwright’s hold on the club. Ferguson has achieved absolutely nothing in all his roles as “assistant” to the last six managers.
Based purely on past performance and observing Kenwright I’m concluding that the delay is due to Kenwright trying to get his way. If Lampard has Ferguson as part of his staff it says to me that he’s not really the manager. He’s yet another yes man.
I have no inside knowledge but I’m good at seeing patterns of behaviour

It's interesting because several managers have now entertained or accepted Duncan. But how many took him seriously? I can't see Ancelloti taking advice from him. I can't see Alpha male, bull in China Shop Benitez either. Nor serial winner Lampard if he takes the job.

Why has he consistently been seemingly imposed on manager after manager? I personally don't get it. Its hardly like he's had a Colin Harvey effect. Oh for a younger Colin Harvey. Now there was a coach.

Love the bones of Duncan as much as he loves Everton. But I love Everton as does Kenwright apparently.

No Dunc bashing here, just do what is right for Everton.

I genuinely don't know the answer to what we do with Duncan. I think he has a role to play at the club, but not in the first team dugout. He doesnt seem to influence or have the power to do so. He sits in the background.

Was he over rawed himself? It feels like it.

Fresh start Everton. Others have done it. Stop living in the past. Look to the future. Look outside.

Yes I see that, Jimmy @365. As a matter of interest, do you know if these deals are done by internal lawyers or by lawyers from outside? Do we have the same lawyers who do everything or different ones for different things? I suppose it must be the latter?

Sky Sports News & Soccer Saturday saying appointment to be confirmed within next 24 hours. So it seems he hasn't had a change of heart, Duncan is staying / not staying, and his missus likes the look of the leafy Cheshire area. Expect an appointment to be confirmed tonight.

I admire Ferguson enormously. When asked what he thought last week about the fans complaining, he said that the fans could do what they liked because the club is theirs. Indeed so.

A man who has worked hard to heal his wounds and who is a public credit to the club. I hope he stays, in a proper role; people like him are invaluable members of any organisation. It's not all about graphs, charts and "key performance indicators".

Lampard, Trump or Oprah, it doesn't matter who get's the job I won't feel comfortable until we get a victory and I certainly don't think it will come at Newcastle.

Defensively we are still out to lunch and any team can feel confident about scoring against us.

Frank certainly knows about what is expected and has all the Prem. experience necessary especially as a player.

What he can do about this Everton squad remains to be seen but hopefully they shipped out Rafa in the nick of time.

C.O.Y.B.

Well, despite having no manager (as we speak), and in need of a few transfers, the “Sold Out” signs have gone up for the FA Cup game against Brentford. Who was it who said we’d be lucky to get 25K for this game?

What to do with Dunc is a tough one. Whatever role he's offered will be a step down from manager/assistant manager but, by his own words, he gave the impression he's not really up to the top job on a permanent basis.

Nothing but the best is good enough*

*Subject to availability; terms and conditions may apply

Rob @ 375, Brentford have taken their full allocation about 4,500 I guess but it's heartening to see the sold out signs. Newcastle away and Leeds home also sold out earlier this week.

Tony #371, I should imagine it will be third party lawyers and then Frank will have his own lawyers, so these things do take time, as both parties haggle over the various issues. Then you have the whole social media machine to feed and get copy and footage approved before the announcement is made.

I miss the back of a taxi days tbh...

I don't, Jimmy (#371).

That's how I've ended up with two kids.

Just read Jamie Carragher's very good article in the Torygraph and I'm starting to feel that we are getting the right man. He's young and is a great player with progressive views.

As Carragher says in the article, if he can get the fans on side. he will be well on his way to success.

Rob #274, just the usual naysayers saying things like that.

I got my ticket for Brentford as soon as they came out. Rain or shine this is still my beloved Everton and I follow them no matter what.

I wonder how many sell-outs the gobshites, the chavs, Citeh etc would have if they had such a barren run of trophies that we've had? Fuck the haters – we have the best fans.

Martin, I agree with the vile Carragher. Frank would gain instant respect from the playing staff for being one of the best midfielders we have seen in the last 20 of years. His scoring record is insane.

I've heard a lot of "Out Tory Boy" shouts and people aren't happy. So what! My parents were Tories (I'm not), but they were still my parents, I didn't like them voting Tory but that's life. Some folk would be pissed-off winning £1million on the lottery cos they didn't win £2million.

I'm well made up with the appointment, the only one I have genuinely been happy about since Joe Royle.

I have a good feeling about this appointment of Frank Lampard.

I am usually pessimistic about any new manager coming on board but I really think this could be the making of us. COYMB.

That's true, Martin. All for one and one for all, eh! Only, we're not fans... we're supporters!

OK, I slept in, here on the West Coast, and I rise to find that Rob Halligan is on a spectacular roll of posts, but that the deal isn't done yet! 5pm on a Saturday night on Merseyside and time to party! What the hell are they doing?

Keith #322, I've been complaining about the lack of pace in the squad for ten years now. I won't go as far as you and call it "pacy" now, but I'll concede it's a bit less glacial.

With regards to Lampard uniting the fan base, a Blue friend emailed me that most Everton fans aren't forgiving. Not just for what his father did to us in 1980, but what he did to us in the 2009 final. Anybody agree with that?

Just get it done please and lets move forward. He will need to bring in a few players as well.

We don't need to worry about FFP either. The worst they can do is ban us from playing in Europe. As we are closer to the Championship than we are to the Champions league, we need to secure our survival first.

We were poor against Villa but DCL should have scored and Mina missed a couple of good chances. Those three points would have had a different spin on our thinking.

I am still 100% sure we will be the drop but we need to sort out midfeild in the next two days and get some bodies in.

I hope the board are trying to save up a MASSIVE SORRY by announcing on Monday that we have Frank as manager, Tim as our new "Brands" a complete new backroom staff and we have signed DVB, DA and RLC
It's not impossible if they want to get us to put the banners away and return to a quiet life

Jim@385, I'm not sure what the point is of your sly little dig but there is no difference between fans and supporters. I assume that you've held your little grudge for a long time now, eh?

Mike #385, absolutely - Lampard out!

Mike G # 386] How can you sleep? Over here we are checking every internet source for the proverbial puffs of white smoke.

No, Mike @385. I remember Dad Lampard's goal (how many did he score in his career - about 3, I suspect) as one of the knives to the vitals in the late 70s/early 80s (let us not forget Chris Nicholl), and Son's various hits too, but we will all be amnesiac when Frank takes over.

West Ham has always produced serious football people and I think there will be a natural affinity.

As ever, it's about timing and this feels like we've struck the moment.

Joe@382 Like Frank Lampard I'm from solid working class stock, I'm a Conservative though and absolutely proud of it. I was left wing once as most daft youngsters were but I grew up as some don't.

Speak for no one but myself Mike but I certainly have no animosity towards him for past deeds. I was at Blackpool in 1966 when a certain Alan Ball helped tear us another one. Peter Beardsley destroyed us time and again for that lot.
I could go on.
On another matter it would seem he wants to bring Barry in as coach. Anthony Barry also coaches the Rrpublic of Iteland squad. I'd hope this wouldnt prove a problem 🤷‍♂️

Martin#388.
Martin forgive me for maybe butting in here but are you sure Jim was having a sly dig?
Reason I ask is that I myself differentiate between fans and supporters, though I'm not sure the dictionary does.
The rs have loads of fans but not a lot more supporters than we do.

Tony #391, Frank Sr.'s goal was before my time -- I didn't become a Blue until '85 -- so I don't have your psychic scars from that. But I sure as hell remember 2009. Not one of my mate Tim Howard's finer moments.

But you're right, no grudges. Frank was doing his job then. Let's hope he does it just as well now.

Martin (392). There is a long established saying that goes as follows:-
"If your not a socialist as a teenager, you're hard in the heart, but, if you're still a socialist in you're 40s, you're soft in the head".

Hugh@397 Truer words were never spoken.

The Crystal Palace job would have been a good pick for Frank in order to get his management career going again.
This job is probably too difficult for any manager coming in. The club needs a Bielsafication process which Lucien Favre might have been able to deliver, maybe.
Lampard has a bit of a short temperament, and I think the madness of Everton will probably break him, hopefully not before his positive (some would say naive) style of play gets us the wins we need to avoid the drop this time around.

Hugh (295) - I steer clear of them because they are full of politics. I signed up here to a site about Everton.

Lampard being a Tory could prove problematic, as I know, for certain, that most millionaire, Lamborghini driving EPL footballers are card-carrying members of Momentum.

Uncle Harry, another West Ham man of course, was always very complimentary about Everton, he valued the underlying things I felt.

I can't wait to have a manager whom we can all truly support. I know some people have reservations but I think everyone desperately wants him to succeed and will let him know it. That is going to make an enormous difference to our prospects.

Brian @395,

I believe that he got mixed up with a comment I made once that we were customers rather than stakeholders? To be honest, I was wrong and I recognise that, in football, the fans are the only reason for clubs to exist.

Yes, we're customers in the strictest definition but, even as non-shareholders, we have massive power via the media. Too much? Of course... but that is modern life. I believe 'fan' and 'supporter' are exactly interchangeable although some may differentiate.

I couldn't care less about his political leanings. I'd take Jacob Rees-Mogg as manager with Farage as assistant if they could get a tune out of this squad and keep us up.

Rob (374), I've got put my hand up for that one and on two different threads. should never doubt the strength of the Everton support, think the reduced prices had something to do with this though, Rob, still guilty as charged though and asking for a suspended sentence!

Haha Dave. No worries mate. Even at full ticket prices, we would have still sold out.

Valid point, Gary #400. But don't forget that politics was probably a key factor in our move across the park 130 years ago, as many of the prime instigators of the move were Liberals & many of those who remained to form a new club were Conservatives.

Obviously a big doubt and concern at this very moment is to why, if he has been offered the job, he has not yet accepted it?

Well, I am hoping the reason why that is, is that he will only sign on the dotted line if he gets 100% commitment from the board and he gets full control on who he buys and sells and bringing in his own management assistant and team.

Let's face it, all our previous managers have been forced to keep Duncan Ferguson as their assistant (this will be Kenwright's choice) and I am under the impression that Moshiri has forced through several signings not wanted by some of the previous managers (The 2017 summer transfer window debacle).

I think Lampard will only sign if he has full control of everything. In terms of commanding respect, he has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League era so surely the players will look up to him and be willing to graft for him.

This time 2 weeks ago, I said to myself "I hope it's not Lampard," but I have since changed my mind. I do hope he signs and gets to work Monday morning and brings in at least one midfielder and one experienced centre-half.

It's being reported that Chelsea won't stand in the way of Anthony Barry and Joe Edwards being appointed as part of Lampard's team. This is all very good news. Roman and Alisher, best of friends.

Martin 392

Just to clarify, you are saying that anyone left wing has not grown up?

Not sure how anyone can express pride in being Tory in the current climate, but for the record, I couldn't give a rat's arse who our new manager votes for.

I managed to get 7 tickets for the Brentford game for myself my daughter, 2 brothers, and three mates when they went on general sale and all sat together.

With being an Official Member I logged on Wednesday with loads of tickets available, however would only allow you to purchase one ticket, I knew full well tickets would still be available for general sale, but with being an official member, surely if only two tickets, there should be a better option to buy two for a cup game with being a member, than have to wait for general sale, where you can then purchase up to 6 tickets at a time, check out then put another ticket through, if needed.

Fair enough on Premier League games, I get that, but for cup games surely they should allow say maximum of 2 tickets, rather than just the one.

Joe Edwards and especially Anthony Barry coming to Everton would be hugely beneficial I think.

Barry's set piece work at Chelsea has massively benefitted them. Here's a piece below I enjoyed reading:

Thomas Tuchel very rarely sits down during a Chelsea game. His default position is on the touchline and from there he can bark out instructions, cajole his players, and give out the occasional scolding.

There are, however, fleeting moments that Tuchel takes a seat in the dugout, and in his place tends to rise a member of the Blues coaching staff: Anthony Barry.

Brought to Chelsea in the summer of 2020 by Frank Lampard, Barry has been given control of the Blues' set-pieces. So whenever a corner is being defended or attacked or a free-kick routine needs to be utilised, it is the 35-year-old who is trusted by Tuchel to take care of business.

"Anthony was from the first moment a big part of our coaching team because first of all he is a fantastic guy, a fantastic character, very open, very friendly and he has top quality and analysing games and giving his opinion," Tuchel said of Barry last season.

"He's very comfortable in front of the group. He is in charge, the specialist, for all set-pieces so he's doing video sessions, training for set-pieces and he is the assistant for any other exercises which is a pleasure to have him around."

Barry's work has paid off this term. Chelsea have, per WhoScored, already scored 10 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, a figure only behind Liverpool (12). Many of these have been key: Thiago Silva's header against Tottenham prior to the current break the latest example.

The impact Barry has had at Chelsea is unlikely to have surprised those on the FA's Pro Licence. He was the only 2020 graduate to have his dissertation 'The Undervalued Set-Piece' published as an academic paper.

Its focus was on throw-ins and the research involved Barry watching each one of 6,380 taken in the 2018-19 Premier League campaign.

This forensic approach has benefited Chelsea, but for how much longer? Barry has attracted interest from other clubs and was offered the chance to take over at former club Fleetwood Town in December. However, he was persuaded to stay at Chelsea by Tuchel, who he enjoys a strong working relationship with.

Tuchel may have to work his magic again in the days ahead as, according to The Athletic, Lampard is keen to bring Barry to Everton as part of his coaching staff. Joe Edwards, a strong link between the first team and academy at Cobham, is also understood to have been targeted.

Lampard has not yet been officially confirmed as the Toffees' new head coach but is expected to be appointed sooner rather than later. It will be his first job since being sacked by Chelsea a year ago.

It's no surprise that the man who brought Barry to Stamford Bridge is keen to now take him to Goodison Park. And that may be an alluring offer, given Barry was born and raised in Liverpool and began his playing career, which was curtailed by a knee injury, at Everton.

There was always going to come a point that Barry left Chelsea, his rising stature in the game ensured that. But a mid-season departure would be a blow to Tuchel and the Blues, who would need to quickly find another sharp mind to maintain their set-piece threat.

Interesting stuff, Sam. Where'd you find that?

Anthony Barry coming to Everton is almost as important as Lampard. Please make it happen.

Stuart @411,

No, I didn't say that... only that this was my turning point in life.

Sam, #413,

That's a tremendous piece. Thanks. I love the wider knowledge you have of things like this.

Sam (413) thanks for that post.

One of many things we're crying out for is a coach who recognises throw-ins as a potential for attacking. We usually look like a bunch of strangers, quite obvious that there is no plan and more often than not the ball ends up back with Pickford. Be great to see this change (and others).

Yes, excellent thanks, Sam. Does anyone know if Barry is a Blue or a Red – not that it matters?

Sam, isn’t that the article from the Sunday Times from a few weeks back? It’s the article that really made me aware of Barry.

Latest rumours from Chelsea appears that Tuchel definitely wants to keep him so not a done deal. Mind you, neither is Lampard.

Mike and Ray, I found it in football.London; but possible it was in the Sunday Times originally?

Rob H.

Just couriered 2000 T-shirts down overnight from Cumbria. You can start selling them at Finch Farm tomorrow when Vinny O'Connor and Jim White officially announce it. 1000 each of:

"Frankie Says Kopites are Gobshites"
"Frankie Says Klopp's a Klunt"

Tenner each pal, should shift them in no time.

Have faith, guys.

Sam 413 - did he have an off day when we played Chelsea recently and Branthwaite scored?

Anthony Barry has also been seen as very influential in the recent improvement of the Republic of Ireland team. Another good piece on him below from the Balls.ie website in Dec 2021

Praise Heaped Upon Ireland's 'Priceless' Assistant Coach

The talk around the Irish senior men's management team is nearly exclusively focussed on Stephen Kenny, but one of his assistant's is beginning to make his name more familiar amongst the general public.

Anthony Barry was brought into the Irish setup by Kenny to replace Damien Duff. It is a part-time role for Barry, with his main gig being a head coach with Chelsea.

From Cardiff to Ipswich, Barry's name is now regularly being linked to managerial vacancies in the Championship. While it seems inevitable that Barry will someday manage a club at an elite level, it seems Ireland are spoiled to have his services at present.

Perhaps the most striking evidence of Barry's ability is the fact that he was not moved at Chelsea when Thomas Tuchel took the reins at the clubs.

Tuchel did not know much about Anthony Barry when he arrived but was quickly impressed by his coaching chops, on top of the praise senior player Thiago Silva had given him.

Simon Johnson and Dominic Fifield of The Athletic have published a piece detailing Barry's rise and his fine reputation among his peers.

After a respectable career as a player in League One and Two, Barry retired aged 31. He then joined Wigan Athletic as an assistant to Paul Cook. Chris Brass, former head of football operations at Wigan outlines the promise the young coach displayed.

“The biggest thing I noticed about Anthony was the work ethic. The transition from a player to a coach can be difficult. Instead of having lots of free time, you now have to work a lot of hours. But I'd rock up at 6 am and he'd already be there. Then he'd ask to come with me to a night game, so he'd be getting home at midnight. He was a sponge. I thought there's someone special here who is prepared to work hard.

“He perhaps finished playing too soon. It was a brave decision because the financial rewards are not there early doors. But he identified if he gets it right, this will work in the long run.

“We took his UEFA Pro Licence and an LMA course alongside each other. It's challenging doing one of those while working at a club, but he was doing both.”

Anthony Barry is also a set-piece specialist. As part of his Pro License course he wrote a dissertation on throw-ins that was published as an academic paper, and he also takes charge of Chelsea's set-piece.

Chelsea keeper Marcus Bettinelli explains the detail and quality of Barry's 'priceless' work.

“He will split sessions so one day we'll be concentrating on defending set-pieces, another will be on attacking set-pieces. It all depends on the opposition. There will be teams who do different set-ups and are vulnerable in certain areas. Anthony's expertise is looking at that with the analysis guys and seeing where we can find an edge.

“We have scored from set-pieces this season because of Anthony's ideas. The manager acknowledges that. It's crucial because that set-piece could win us the game and that's down to him.

From an Irish perspective, if Kenny's contract is not renewed, we don't just lose our manager but we risk losing the nous of one of the brightest up and coming coaches in world football.

Martin #416

Fair enough. I'm trying very hard not to rise to the bait of Hugh's quotation and focus on the footie...

Feel impatient as everyone else, but would rather things were done properly. I'm assuming all this speculation about Ferguson's role causing the delay is based on zero evidence and that, actually, it's just that modern contracts take an age to thrash out.

I can't remember many cases of news releases saying a manager has been offered a contract before the person has agreed terms, but maybe I'm just forgetful.

Regarding the eulogising of Anthony Barry, I'll believe it when I see it.

At Chelsea he had players who were fit, fast and didn't fall over trying to control a ball so we're not comparing apples with apples.

Plus I'm still scarred by the hype around Moyes – "a young attacking coach" they said. Enough evidence right there for a conviction

I hope Frank is coming.

Don't care that his dad knocked us out the Cup.
Don't care who he votes for.
Don't care what his religion is.

I just want a good football Manager who can keep us up and take us forward. At least he hasn't had anyone murdered! To the best of my knowledge.

Welcome, Frank.

All proceeds to be kept by me then, Keith. 👍👍

Keith #423, can you drop one in the mail for me? I'll send you a check. Or a silver place setting. Whatever.

The more I read, the more I just wonder whether Lampard might be the Trojan Horse for the eventual appointment of Anthony Barry as our manager?

Okay, wildly speculative! But worth a fiver?

Yeah, I wouldn't mind one with "Frankie says Kopites are Gobshites", Keith.

Do you do them in Jacamo sizes? Doubt I would squeeze into a "one size fits all".

Barry (427),

I can understand your scepticism but under his influence Chelsea improved their use of set pieces and throw-ins. Very good players can be improved with the help of top-class analysis and coaching.

This lad has impressed many top coaches. Not only does he put the work in, he also invests in his own self-improvement and development.

The article mentioned by Ray Roche includes an account of how he worked on his presentation skills so that he could better communicate with a roomful of seasoned, sometimes cynical professionals.

We have every reason to believe we are getting a top class coach, if he joins us.

Why announce that Lampard is our preferred candidate without announcing his appointment? It looks like we've made our choice, but he hasn't made his.

Anyway, I'm sceptical of this appointment. He had a much better defence at Chelsea and they still leaked goals in ways that seemed to be more to do with tactics than individual errors.

Along with, at least, 2 midfielders and 1 centre-back, the team needs characters and big personalities. My pick would have been Pereira. Especially if there was some truth to the Thomas Muller rumours.

Gary@400,

Appreciated and my apologies. I was just responding to an earlier post that called into question his coaching abilities due to his political persuasion.

I agree this is not the place and I too avoid the "social media" sites because I think they are dangerous and, as has been shown, can be used to badly influence formative minds.

We live in the world of "Fake News" or, as seems to be the case with this appointment – "No News".

Some of the negative comments from posters are unreal!

Give Lampard a chance – it may take 2 years just to steady this sinking ship. Some Everton fans are philosophers of absolute nonsense with over-the-top opinions and analysis of the way Everton should be run.

Many said give the few a chance.

John @433

"Very good players can be improved"

Therein lies the problem – we don't have any.

Well, let's hope Barry comes back to Goodison.

The coach or coaches we have, don't seem to have done us much good. Though I think that comes down as well, to some (quite a few!) of our players lacking a lot of things that make a decent footballer.

Hopefully, Barry will have better players to work with, if Frank can pull a couple of loan players in, and gives our youngsters more time with a good coach.

Ray Roche (#107),

I was hoping someone on here could rationalise Frank Lampard's (impending) appointment by having an insight into his footballing philosophy, tactics, player management etc. Do you have an opinion on this?

I don't know enough about the man other than he was a very good player; hopefully he's very successful here but it seems to me to be a punt on a big 'name'.

BTW, been a member on here for years. Snowflake?? I haven't heard that one for donkey's years.

Bless us! What's the maximum number of on-loan players we can have?

I've just read somewhere that we can only bring in one more. He'll have to be real good un, as we're in desperate need of 2 maybe 3 more if we can get them in.

I get very nervous whenever our defence try and cope with a ball booted into the penalty area... so do they!

Barry (427),

I agree. It's all well and good crunching data and researching patterns but being able to coach players towards their technical and athletic potential is a much tougher prospect than doing the written work.

There was a manager, I forget who now, but one of the unfashionable British managers who have regularly been in and around the Premier League (maybe Warnock, or Pulis, or Allardyce or similar) who talked about the importance of winning the first header on attacking corner kicks.

I think he had worked out that, if the attacking side wins the first header at a corner kick, then they have a 1 in 3 chance of a goal – or maybe it was a shot on target. I forget. But I remember thinking surely players don't need stats to back up the importance of winning headers at corners; it must be self-evident, surely?

Stats might help a coach to elaborate on that importance but, for me, football often gets over-complicated by people who want to win football matches on pieces of paper and iPads rather than on the pitch.

Howard Kendall, as a young manager, had to start somewhere... Blackburn Rovers, then the Mighty Blues. I was there on the night the fans were calling for his blood – and I was too...

We didn't have a Sky tactical insight into Howard's managerial tactics or style, the man picked his trade and knowledge on the way.

Give Lampard a chance. Who else do we deserve?

So, another day wasted.

I imagine the board are down in London enjoying a West End show and musing to themselves, “Did Frank accept our offer or not? We must remember to ask him tomorrow before those media people start asking awkward questions…”

Sam Hoare, I'm glad you are an Evertonian, your posts are excellent.

Barry Rathbone, same for you.

In general terms, we would do well to recognise that we've been shit for a long while, that we are meaningless to most, and that we are under threat of sliding to relegation after many years of decline.

Given all of that, we would also do well not to analyse matters as though we were a top 6 regular, entitled to success and, further, entitled to turn up our noses at the common herd and at managers who have various weaknesses under the microscope (or according to dim prejudice). Just because, you know, we're Everton and, er, Blue is best and, er, that's it.

If we're going to fix ourselves, it's best to understand how deep the damage is. Build from there might be a good idea.

Everton haven't given much (if any) reason for optimism for way too long and can wear you down, but I feel really good about this appointment, like we finally got it right. Tomorrow's man instead of yesterday's?

Just the fact he's willing to take this shitshow on says a lot about Lampard to me. I hope he ends up leading us into the new stadium and becomes as much a legend here as he is at the bridge. Points vs Newcastle and Leeds would be a fine start because you just know the previous manager would have got none.

Eric Clapton is no Jeff Beck but he's a great guitarist, regardless of his politics.

So Frank is going to let us know... Maybe he has not got the bottle.

Taking over an aristocratic club like Everton, compared to new kids on the block, Chelsea, must be unnerving for him.

Andy @444, thanks. The feeling is mutual!

Barry (437),

Apologies, I should have said ‘Even very good players can be improved'.

His work with the Ireland team suggests he has the ability to improve less talented players. Improving average to mediocre players requires the same skill set.

My guess is the delay will be over image rights. The owner or boardroom are worried that appointing Frank might cause collateral damage to what they perceive as the club's by now priceless image across the world!

The red echo saying everything is now agreed, backroom staff etc, which was all finalised this afternoon, and most of today has been about discussing potential transfers. An official announcement will be made tomorrow.

Why the fuck can't it just be announced tonight if everything is agreed?

Joe Edwards and Anthony Barry would not be stopped from joining Frank Lampard, according to the Telegraph, and a Sky reporter has also said that is his understanding. Interesting and encouraging, if that happens.

If that's the case, then Frank Lampard will have the men with him who he chose and who he trusts.

What a great, goalscoring midfielder he was! If he's been adamant to bring his two chosen men with him, then maybe we will begin to see a football strategy taking place.

Tony (445),

I agree with you. We are in a dark place and it's going to take the manager and his staff, a massive effort to stop us from going down.

‘You keep me hangin on’ by the Supremes is tonight’s soundtrack.

Great news though that it’s reported that the backroom team is on board too. Delighted about that important news if true. Also that they are on the case for signings. All good news.

Rob, I'm guessing they will need a large portion of the day for photos and video statements etc, then make a presentation in hand with the announcement. Getting a bit late for tonight.

Whatever they are still negotiating, Frank must be in the driver's seat as he is the one with time on his side. It is the club that need to get the deal done quickly.

Andy Crooks 444, Back at ya, buddy. Thank you

Possibly surprising fact about Frank Lampard.

If he gets the job, I believe he will be the first Everton manager to have been born in London.

Excellent trivia, Jonathan.

Big Dunc must be removed as soon as possible... he's earned enough being an average pro. Club success is run on winners and, when the winners become average, move them on.

Nice clubs win nothing. Everton are way too nice.

And our third manager in a row who has previously managed Chelsea.

(Not as good as Jonathan's though)

He'll become a naturalised Scouser if he does the job for us.

Mike G, I think it's very ironic that Lampard's first game in charge of Everton, will be a FA Cup game at Goodison Park.

He went one better than his dad, by scoring the winner against us in the final, compared to his father's semi-final goal, so hopefully he's going to go one better again, and help bring that beautiful trophy back to Goodison after such a very long drought.

Another stat to add to ones above. Lampard has played under the two previous Everton managers.

Rob @451,

Because we are fucking Everton... none of us should be surprised if: "Lampard turns down Everton"

Did anyone hear the rant on TalkSport from Steve about Everton or watch on Social Media? Ranting how he doesn't want Lampard but would prefer Dunc and Big Sam?

Slagging off Moshiri and the suits but praising Kenwright… Give me fucking strength, no fucking wonder we are in this current position. Absolutely embarrassing, I really do despair. Steve, give your head a wobble

Just a story to take minds off managerial angst, and part of it is relative to the question of forgiveness for historical footballing wounds.

I’m currently on holiday in the south of Scotland, and Mrs Mills was very tolerant when I said I fancied going to watch Queen of the South v Dunfermline Athletic this afternoon. I wasn’t offended when she declined my invitation to join me.

When I looked at the league positions it immediately appeared to be a mid-table battle, but then it dawned on me that 9th v 10th is actually a match between the bottom two in the Scottish second tier.

I arrived at the ground early, and there was little sign of life, apart from a guy taking a few photos of the outside of the old turnstiles. I got chatting with him, he was from Bradford, he paints portraits of football grounds, and had befriended a few Dunfermline supporters some years ago and was due to meet them.

We went for a beer, then met up with the Dunfermline lads, 3 of whom said to me “We beat your lot in Europe”. That victory was in 1962! I decided that 60 years was time enough for absolution.

Talking at half-time with Paul, the artist, he told me he had done a portrait of Goodison as a commission for an author of an Everton book, “Faith of our Families”. I told him I know the author quite well, he’s my nephew, James Corbett.

I’ve found out this evening that the picture captures a scene of Goodison from the Main Stand, in the foreground of which is the back of me, my brother, and my late Dad, from whom is emanating a puff of smoke (from his pipe, not the papal smoke we are awaiting).

Dunfermline won 0-2. It was a good day.

If Dunc isn't part of Lampard's team, he can always get a job sharpening Cahill's pencils.

Just another figure of hate (or eight if you subscribe to the Fat Frank school of lampoonery) within six or seven months when next season gets off to the usual gutless start, assuming we're not already playing the likes of Preston and Birmingham by then.

At least this should see the back of Ferguson at last, or so you would think. Who'll replace Lampard once the booing starts?

Great story, Peter. Must have been a 1,000,000-to-1 chance that meeting.

Peter @266, superb, I think maybe the best post I've read on here. You've managed to express a huge amount in that.

I can't believe we still have not fucking got a manager, for fuck's sake!

Wow, who is this Duncan guy? Gets some proper hatred. Child murderer maybe?

Dave # 469. There will be no booing at Goodison next season, only when the red shite turn up or that maggot Gerrard brings his Villa team to Goodison.

Will @474.

It's TW, someone needs to be the fall guy.

Rob 475, you're optimistic, Liverpool and Villa coming to Goodison next season? It'll be Middlesbrough and Forest at this rate.

Paul - yep!

"When the booing starts!", "When the ground turns toxic" and so on and so forth, I'm a miserable old so and so and gripe about everything all the time, but even I believe that some, probably a minority of people who post on here, have become addicted to failure and enjoy the misery that comes with that failure.

I'm getting to the situation where sometimes I feel I'd rather talk to a Kopite about football than see all the negativity on so many Everton fans forums. That's not actually true, because I'd risk being locked up, if I had to discuss Everton with the arrogant sods who support that club, but I do wish that some folk would consider the effect it has on everybody else when they post mostly fearful, negative, often unsubstantiated thoughts on every single thread about the club or its fans.

At least in the old days there was only one guy with the "The End Is Nigh" sandwich board and you only seen him on the way into or out of the ground, now it's like you encounter thousands of these guys, no matter where you to go to get your Everton information from.

Smile! life is short, enjoy what you can, whilst you can, and never accept that everything about Everton is crap now and it always will be, because it isn't and hasn't been, even though we'll all admit that it's been pretty rubbish for most of the last few years, tomorrow is a new day and Everton can get better, it will take a bit of time but without believing things can improve, we are adding to the culture of failure that so many people, including myself aim at the players and the club.

Lampard will become the new boss, he has to hit the ground running for the sake of the club and we need everybody that goes to Goodison and elsewhere to support him and his team.

Barry # 485. Do you think the poster you are referring about is really a blue?

Pete, cracker as usual.

I am very happy to add that Frank Lampard will be the first ever Everton manager to have had a coffee in the cafe of my very good friend, Frank Cafolla.

If, by any chance, Frank or the lovely Christine should ever read ToffeeWeb, your picture is still on the wall.

Good post, Barry,

I remember that feller wandering about with his placard while we were all going in the ground.

I felt the same as you, there is a kind of group mind now (maybe Twitter or whatever) among a section of the crowd. Seems to be quick to boo and slow to encourage. And then seems to think they represent all the supporters. Not only what effect it has on other supporters, but about what it does to the players' confidence?

You're spot on about the gift of life, enjoy every day while you can and never forget we support a great club.

Will, Just seen some copies on ebay. I've just bought one. there's a few of them. There's an original for £50... I didn't buy that one!

Andy.

Is that injunction the lovely Christine took out against you still active by the way?

Barry.

Great post.

Brian, that injunction was a diabolical liberty. I was genuinely standing in for a mate that day and I emptied the bin straight into the lorry.

Andy 504

Stop sitting on the fence!

Can I just say I'd love to take an injunction out on Christine.
And Peter Mills, I'll be in touch about your holiday in the morning!

Rob. The moneys 50/50, less my printing and delivery costs, you tight git.

Sweet dreams beckon, with a new manager and midfield to wake up to!!

Too bad that blurry player in the photo isn't coming with him.

I am hoping that Lampard signs quickly and is able to bring his old backroom staff from Chelsea.

I am also hoping he can manage to persuade Loftus-Cheek to sign on loan until the end of the season. We are in desperate need of a player like him right now and maybe Lampard's connections at Chelsea could see him join us because he would be a great signing.

I think we still need at least 2 new quality midfielders and so maybe Lingard as well. Come on get Frank in charge ASAP so he can bring in some reinforcements before the end of the transfer period.

No announcement yet. Come on Frank, come on Everton and then get those players in.

Brilliant Barry. It's never a chore following Everton; it's a gift.

I've sat near some of those "shite Everton" people in just about every match I've ever attended, even when we were winning titles. But this season, myself Derek & Andy as well as those around us were subject to a special one at Norwich home. Within 2 minutes. Had his language not been a combination of "excuse my French" and lucifer's tongue, he'd have been a contender for the job of sandwich board, the end is nigh man you bring back memories of!!

Let's get this done Everton and move forward.

Tony Everan. Post 453. Who sang that 90s one hit wonder called things can only get better. Big announcement on way today. It’s with some regret I have to resign as my post as chairman as Roberto Martinez a fellow thespian who is totally in touch with his feminine side and is not afraid to show it., has been turned down for the managers job so I can’t influence Everton any longer. wow wish I never woke up half way through that dream.

Hello Brian, I agree with nearly all your comments, but as you can see, not every Blue knows of Bill's history. And, you're dead right, for a man who was definitely going at 70, he'll never miss the opportunity cut the ribbon.

Anyway, we're still waiting for news of Frank's taking over as manager and, very hopefully (is that proper English??) he's bringing the fellers in who he believes in for his assistants.

I think Duncan Ferguson should only stay in the role he has, if the Frank specifically asks for him. It's as if the Board can't quite let go of him, just in case the next manager on the Magic Merry go round is sacked within a season or two. I think we definitely need to get a manager in who will look at what we've got in the first team squad and start rebuilding that squad.

I'm not sure at all, what monies we'll have in the summer, but there are players in the squad who are not good enough. If we put them up for sale, we'd get about ten bob for them.

We've got to face it, there's a chance that we'll go down because of the signings we've made over the last six years. and the anxious rapid replacement of managers during that time. Hopefully not, but look at our midfield (well, what midfield?) three are out for a month or so; and one hasn't been seen for a year or so and not likely to figure this season, if at all ever again..
Hopefully we can get someone in who can form a defensive partnership with Allan. I don't know about our defence. It was said that it was Benitez fault because of zonal marking. I think we just have a poor defence. I hope Branthwaite can come in and if Mina ever stays fit then I hope its them in the two centre half positions. Godfrey to play anywhere in defence, as and when needed until the two young fullbacks are ready for the Prem. Hopefully, Calvert Lewin gets back to match fitness asap and then we've got players to pick a decent team from.
We've got no time for bedding in. Hopefully Frank has seen some of our displays and has ideas how to improve what we've got. Including using some of our younger players. Nor excluding Rondon, if needed.

Was talking with my son about formations and shape Lampard could use with these players.
We both said the same thing, get Godfrey in the DMC role.

Pickford
Patterson, Branthwaite, Mina, Mykolenko
Godfrey
Allan, VDB
Gray, DLC, Richarlison

Gordon and Dobbin can be used. Doucoure too when fit.

Godfrey has played DMC before.

Rondon, Iwobi and Keane should be nowhere near this club, never mind team.

Hopefully, Frank knows!

An old mate of mine is a long-standing Chelsea fan.

He loved Lampard's time as manager. Front-foot, exciting football, bringing through talented youngsters (he had to!), having a go at other coaches (Bielsa & Klopp) and getting them 4th and a cup final.

The problems arose when the embargo was lifted, with the rise in pressure & expectations. His view was that when things went wrong, he had little alternatives to sort things out. Plus, he had serious fallings-out with some senior players, whose performances improved under Tuchel.

They all still love him, due to his history, but the difference when Tuchel came in was stark. But Tuchel is a world-class coach, with more experience than Lampard at that level.

His big questions were has he improved defensively and will he cope with the 'mess' that is Everton?

Make of that what you will.
.

Paul (515). happy Hogmanay btw!
I think in Frank Lampard we will be getting a young, hungry manager with a point to prove after his sacking from Chelsea.
At Chelsea he was, like Duncan here, too close to the coal face to have his former team mates now call him boss. He will have a clean slate at Everton, hopefully no pre-conceptions, and any player will be in the team on merit.
Regarding the defensive side, he was still green at Chelsea, would obviously make mistakes, and should have learned that if you can't do it yourself, get someone in who can. If that means getting the loathsome John Terry in, so be it.
I think this - after my Graham Potter disappointment - is the best appointment we could make. And if it means Dunc or a raft of ex players - Unsy etc - leaving the club, I'd class that as collateral damage, however upset Bill would be.
Frankie says "Lets get ready to rumble".

“Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday, and things seem to be improving, however I’m not sure about tomorrow” repeat daily!

When the press confirmed that Everton had offered the job to Lampard, they also speculated that he would be bringing in Steve Holland as his assistant.

But when the press now talk of his backroom staff they talk about Barry and Black, so I assume Holland wont be his assistant. I hope that Holland is his assistant as his experience would be vital to Lampard, not to mention what a great coach he is.

If you fall out with the players then you’re history, because that old saying about there being no hiding place on a football pitch, doesn’t always ring true.

Good players, decent players and average players all have one thing in common nowadays, especially at Everton, because it’s the manager who comes in for most of the stick. He does pick the team after all.

I personally think that any manager relieved of his duty, who then jumps right back into another job, is not doing himself any favours, (although it’s obviously great for his bank balance) because if you want to improve, then you need time to reflect, and this is hopefully why Lampard decided to take time out?

So. Still nothing.
It’s only my opinion but I think the delay is a power struggle over how much control Lampard has.
If he’s wise, he’ll ask for total independence on his support staff.
Moshiri would grant this. It’s a case of getting rid of Ferguson. Kenwright remains the stopping block.
Kenwright’s obstinacy could yet halt everything.

Tony #513, that’s a good point mate, my dad used to say “take your time, there’s no rush”.

Jonathan #514, I have that fear too. This feels like a potentially defining point in our history. I am praying it is a turning point from which we go on to great things. Frank most definitely needs to stand his ground for everyone’s sake.

SSN reporting terms and contracts agreed.

So how many new dawns is this, I've lost count.

We still have the same class of player, the ones that have to take to the field and actually play the game, managers can only do so much.

I wish Lampard all the best of luck, because unless he can attract a upgrade from the ones we have been signing he will go the same way as the ones before him. Nobody will be more pleased than me if he proves a wonderfull manager and gets us to where we want to be, but put me down as sceptical till proved otherwise.

Barry (477).It is refreshing to read posts that show that supporters have to experience the ups and downs that come about merely by being just that, "A Supporter". As a dyed in the wool Evertonian nothing will ever persuade me to ever be anything else.

I have experienced the highs and the lows and right now we are having a really rough time, brought about by poor management and a period of bad results. It is so easy for each of us to think we alone know the cure. I just live in hope that Frank Lampard is at least that glimmer of light that can bring about improvement.

I refuse to slag off all those who consider "HOPE" to be naive. We have to try once more to put aside all thoughts of "Here we go again"and have realistic expectations that this appointment is going to work. His ONE goal for this season is to escape relegation. Depressing right now that such a goal is hardly a measure success in the normal sense, but for now it is at least REALISTIC. C.O.Y.B

I just can’t shake the feeling that this will either be a huge disaster which will see us relegated or a massive success. No in between.

Joe 521

If I had to bet the house on it I'd say we just survive and no more. Won't be easy and I'm reconciled to the idea of slipping into the abyss simply because this mixture of sicknotes and technically poor players really are relegation material.

We need the fabled "new manager bounce" and perhaps a Kevin Campbell type signing from somewhere

Good post, Keith @ 508. Hope all is,well with you, by the way.

Barry, I am absolutely not reconciled to it. If it should happen, BBC news will be interviewing my neighbours and they will be saying stuff like:
He kept himself to himself.
who'd have thought it.
Seemed like a normal guy.
Something must have pushed him over the edge
Saw him wearing an Everton scarf, other than that he seemed a normal guy.

Everton, we have a potential problem re Lampard's backroom staff.

I'll post the links under here, but apparently, according to Chelsea media, Anthony Barry may be staying at Chelsea.

The positives are that he'll be bringing in Joe Edwards, and Chris Jones though.

So, out of his Fab Five when he took the reins at Chelsea, Eddie Newton has already gone solo, Jodie Morris wants to go solo, and Anthony Barry is considering that it is better to stay with the current Champions League Holders, rather than go to the Everton basket case club?

Here's the links;

Freedom of choice

Why move?

It'll be something of a downer if that happens.

Some smashing posts on here, about life, as well as our club. I think we are trouble, no doubt about it; but I also think that Frank Lampard has an opportunity to bring in the backroom staff he wants...hopefully, and steering us away from the bottom 3 is the first objective.

No guarantees; but he's a young manager, with hopefully the assistants he wants. If it's Duncan Ferguson fine, but it's got to be Frank Lampard's choice.
We have little room to bring in new players, we have a lot of injuries in midfield and we have a poor defence. so it's going to be a hard time and we have to face what could happen. If we can get to the summer without sinking, then we lose a few players at the end of their contracts. I don't know how we'd fare finance wise with that profit and s... situation and FFP but we will have some youngsters who might take up the mantle and become first team regulars.
There's no other way to go but have faith in our manager and back him all the way.

John Boon 520

100% with your views.

Been a blue for 58yrs, and have lived through the ups and downs of being an Evertonian.

Optimistic that Lampard will come good.

We can’t keep changing managers!, it’s farcical, and makes a mockery out of our once great club.

All fine Andy, except the obvious malaise at our club. I really do think Lampard is what we need right now, pity we have no cash to strengthen our midfield. Interesting to see the RS signing a player who Marcel Brands was interested in, in the summer.

Hope springs eternal mate, but sometimes it's the hope that kills you!!

COYB.

Well said John [520]

I think all Evertonians need to reset their expectations for the next season or three.

First and foremost for the next couple of seasons is our EPL survival, whilst at the same time paring away the rotten from the healthy, and slowly by acquiring a couple of players a window, we start to develop something like a team that can play 'Frank Football'.

I personally don't see anything wrong with finishing 16-17th for a couple of seasons, as long as progress is there to be seen on the pitch. NB That is not setting a low bar, that is taking the first step back to greatness (whatever that means?)

As someone posted elsewhere, I consider myself to be a positive sceptic, but I will back Frank to the hilt whilst he is Everton's manager.

We all need to now get behind the players, and accept that Project Reset now means survive the mess that the original Project Reset has put us in.!?

Forget the past and the recriminations, along with the outpouring of bile, and support the playing staff and Frank.

As long as we avoid relegation this season, nought else matters!

I also for one, support the 27 years campaign, and hope that open dialogue can be established, and the fans concerns can be addressed to Mr. Moshiri (Though I feel it really needs to reach Mr. Usmanov)

To restore the crumbling edifice that is currently EFC, we need to accept that parts of the structure need to be demolished, whilst new foundations and footings are put in place. Alongside, a genuine critical review by an outside party (preferably, one which has vast football management experience, alongside corporate and commercial expertise!)

While that may never happen, remember that there is always hope that Moshiri~Usmanov realise that they are out of their depth, and look for a buyer.

I know, I know, be careful what you wish for. However, I don't wish for much. I would just like a competent owner, a functional and progressive club, alongside some positive football.

#27 NSNO UTFT COYB

three days waiting...anyone have any idea what the hold-up is?

As I posted at #90 and later, I would be very concerned about the delay. Have any of you seen an announcement that somebody was offered the job and three days later no big announcement that he is the new manager?

For me, it would seem that Frank insists on bringing his own team, nobody imposed by the Everton board. Everton want to dictate who stays so put it out there that job has been offered but are not willing to meet Franks conditions. Stalemate.

This is very concerning considering that the transfer window closes in less than 34 hours.

The hold up has to be about Lampard's backroom staff. He wants certain people from Chelsea. Chelsea want to keep them. That's not resolved.

Lampard probably won't want Ferguson but nothing can be concluded yet and Lampard reluctant to sign until this is all agreed.

Or he's accepted the position and all the necessary paperwork has to be worked through and agreed on both sides before Everton make the official announcement.

No intrigue, no hesitation, no reluctance... just that, you know, out there in the Real World, these things take some finite time to get done.

I would hazard a guess that they may be sorting out compo for any of Chelsea's staff we are poaching.

It's a trifle worrying, but nothing unusual for Everton. Someone is obviously working behind the scenes as we try to bring Donny van de Beek in.

Tomorrow may be very busy.

Just back from a 3-hour walk with the dog. Any news?

Jim @ 481 - thanks.

Well, it may not be broadcast until tomorrow. That's what Lyndon is reporting in the article; but I think all the ideas of who we can get in loan/buy, will already be discussed and agreed.

I think approaches will already have been made to bring in who we are able to, considering the restrictions we're working under and I think Frank L will want to be assured of the positions taken in the club by Ferguson, Bainsey, and maybe where they're going to put our brilliant ex-midfielder!

Evidently, we've got got Van de Beek on loan!

PS, The excitement's got the better of me!

Cheers Keith, Happy Hogmanay to you too@ How's it going down there?

Michael,
I've never seen such a long drawn out appointment as this. Watford had Roy announced within 24 hours. Just seems the Everton way these days. No longer NSNO but decision making as we go along. Nothing strategic.

You beat me to it, Neil. I appreciate that things like this can take time, interviews, followed by terms being negotiated, backroom staff being selected and permission being obtained from, in this case Chelsea. Contracts drawn up and signed etc.

It can be a bit of a long process, yet Watford sacked Ranieri on Monday and had Hodgson on the training pitch on Tuesday. Can only think that Watford had all this done behind Ranieri's back.

Contract signed. Announcement tonight apparently.

You cant 'back' him on Betfair, only 'lay', so that usually indictates it's a done deal.

Lot of Twitter accounts saying he’s signed his contract.

I see that Sky Sports News (Vinny O'Connor) reporting that Duncan appears to be going. The report is more of a possibly happening as opposed to actually happening account though. So could just be bullshit!

Dual announcement: Lampard and Donny van de Beek!

I am allowing myself to warm to this. I was vocally against it initially but I have been doing alot of reading up and thinking it through. I won't bore you all with my thought processes but I pray that he is coming with these top coaches.

I think Dunc is being given the push, or perhaps a job in the canteen.

Anthony Barry reported to have held "positive talks" with Everton yesterday and attended Tranmere v Forest Green yesterday while on Merseyside.

Don’t know why some fans are so negative about Duncan. All he has done is work hard for the club. If he is leaving, then it is all through no fault of his own.

Good luck to him.

Signs his contract, goes off to find a new house, and then does all of the official stuff tomorrow when all of the right people are in work.

Lampard's appointment gives me the feeling at long last that it is the right appointment. It just feels like a young coach with fresh thinking, like a breath of fresh air.

I just hope he is supported and these players respond and not act up way beyond their pay grade as some seem to have done this past few years. Route them out, Frank, and build a team in your image.

Anybody doubting Lampard's mindset etc, catch his hour-long chat with Gary Neville, I think is called The Overlap.

I was very surprised; he is a modern coach who seems to reflect on his selections when it goes wrong.

That Overlap interview:

Link

I love Duncan but seriously, passion and love for the club can only take you so far. He has been part of the coaching set up in a few failed management teams. I'd much rather his passion radiated through the academy and inspired the young blues to be part of the club and perhaps worked with the strikers occasionally on specific parts of the game. there is no doubt for me that he helped DCL significantly.

Rob Halligan -478
I am

Rob Halligan -478
I am

I agree Dan, maybe its Unsworth that needs to move on.

That said, we can't just give Ferguson a well-paid job just cos he loves Everton, can we?? Coleman cannot join the coaches and not sure why Baines was brought back, it's pathetic, and sentimental.

Arsenal had some platinum players in the 90s, Bergkamp, Viera and Henry. None of them have been employed by the club since they retired from playing.

Jonathan Tasker………I wasn’t referring about you in that post.

Lampard needs to be our manager for a minimum of 3 years preferably more, come what may.

Crystal Palace down are in this fight for survival, Brentford have hit a brick wall.

We have games and points in hand; if we go down from this position, we are going to have to be exceedingly poor.

Rob 561,

Apologies.

Raymond, the problem being that we are very good at being exceedingly poor!

Hoping and despite my comment above, I am quietly optimistic but it would really help if we can get one more defensive midfielder in before tomorrow.

Just been watching the Overlap interview (Gary Neville talking to Frank Lampard), and it's well worth a look.

He comes across as a decent, thoughtful and ambitious man, but also someone who has very little experience and is aware he's probably been given two jobs that he wouldn't have been anywhere near if he wasn't Frank Lampard.

He's also – and he pretty much admits it – is very much a London lad, living just around the corner from Stamford Bridge. I know he spent a year at Man City, and managed at Derby County for a while, but I think L4 is going to be something of a culture shock for him.

The last line of the interview is ironic – he quotes Sir Alex saying that a manager should be looking at the owner, not the club, when deciding whether to take a job. I'm not convinced he's following that advice if he's joining us!

Everton close to this, Everton close to that. For fuck's sake, just get it done. We are close to the end of the transfer window and close to the bottom of the league.

Alan Myers reports Frank Lampard announcement due in 'coming hours'

I believe Alan. So can we all stop panicking, refreshing Newsnow, and posting ever more desperate pleas on here. Please.

ps: I read it on NewsNow!!

Paul Clement as assistant manager ?

I believe that the Club ahs made an exceptional decision taking on FL as Coach. They desperately need to finalise their operating model now, DoF or not and, if so, how conflict between Coach and DoF is avoided.

Brian 551, unfortunately not.

It looks like he won’t be joining on Lampard’s staff after all. Not sure if that’s because of Paul Clements’s role.

Or Duncan’s ?

Sounds like Anthony Barry is gonna stay at Chelsea which is a real shame. Was more excited about him than Lampard!

But Clement and Joe Edwards are good coaches. Time for Duncan to go and test himself as a manager somewhere.

Some rumours about a loan with Gueye tonight!! Seems very unlikely as he has 6th most minutes for PSG this season, not sure why he would leave?

Starting to piss me off now.

I fucking HATE! Supporting this club but at the age of 60 I've no say in the matter.

Dave, don't despair it's on news now