Everton manager Frank Lampard says he has no fear of being sacked after their Premier League defeat to West Ham.
The Toffees are winless in the top flight since October and are mired in a relegation battle in 19th place.
Everton’s poor run of form, with six defeats and two draws, is Lampard’s longest winless run as a manager in the league competition.
“I can’t go down that far to be scared,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Asked by Sky Sports whether it was time to sack Lampard, Everton boss Farhad Mossiri – who was at the London Stadium to watch his team play for the first time in 14 months – replied: “I can’t comment. It’s not my decision.”
Following Everton’s poor league performances in the last three months, the club has also been relegated from both leagues. Carabao Cup and The FA Cup At the stage of the third stage.
Jarrod Bowen scored twice In the first half, former Toffees boss David Moyes got a much-needed win and inflicted further pain on the under-fire Lampard.
The Blues manager added: “I’m not scared at all [being sacked]I feel proud to work.
“I just do my job. I wake up every day and think how can we be a little bit better – it’s as simple as that.”
Lampard admitted the club were in “difficult times” after the defeat and said he knew the task at Goodison Park would be crucial when he took over a year ago as the team was already struggling.
“We put up a big fight and stayed in the league [last season]”He told Match of the Day.
“We’ve beaten Richarlison and now try to build around that, so it’s normal that we’re fighting back when other clubs are trying to get ahead.
“History moves on and nothing gives you the right to be in their league. If you don’t move on you’re going to hit hard times. We’re in hard times and everyone should try to move forward.
“It’s impossible for me to jump into the future. Last season we were five points shy of safety with five or six games to play, but as a club we have to move forward together.
“I can’t complain about the spirit of the players and how they approached the game. They might have gone through it late on but we just couldn’t find it in the final third.”
Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas, the former Tottenham and England midfielder, said: “I feel a bit sorry for him. [Lampard]. It’s debatable whether he’ll sit tight and try to keep clean sheets, because he’s got no goalscorer in the team – so what chance does he have?”
Asked about Moshiri’s comments on Lampard’s future, Jenas added: “If he [Moshiri] They don’t decide, then who is? He’s definitely passing the buck.
“He obviously felt that his presence at the game was going to have some impact. I think that underlines the disconnect between the club and what’s really going on there and why there’s so much turmoil and frustration within the fanbase.”
| Manager | Games | W | D | L | points | points per game |
| Mike Walker | 31 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 27 | 0.87 |
| Frank Lampard | 38 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 35 | 0.92 |
| Rafael Benitez | 19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 1.00 |
| Walter Smith | 143 | 41 | 42 | 60 | 165 | 1.15 |
| Source: Statistics Display |
Analysis
Phil McNulty, the BBC’s chief football writer
Everton manager Frank Lampard is in such a precarious position that it would be a bigger shock if he survives than if he is sacked.
Lampard has overseen a run of just one point from Everton’s past seven Premier League games at Manchester City, and they are now in relegation trouble in 19th place with just three wins and 15 points from 20 games.
Everton boss Farhad Mosiri, who last attended a game at Goodison Park in October 2021, was in attendance to watch the 2-0 defeat by fellow strugglers West Ham that would end Lampard’s reign after less than a year.
It certainly looked awkward when Moshiri refused to support Lampard when he was ‘at the door’ at the London Stadium, although his decision was not at odds with the general perception – that the billionaire’s volatility and impatience are behind many bad moves. , including five managerial sackings, which have kept Everton in this parlous predicament.
Lampard’s class as a figure – and his willingness to engage with an increasingly angry fanbase – means fans won’t be celebrating his departure. But the results were not good enough after relegation last season.
Everton’s board were at least in attendance at West Ham, staying away from their last home game against Southampton at Goodison Park on security advice – meaning they saw first-hand how disgruntled the supporters were, demanding more protests and the removal of banners.
It could happen eventually – but Lampard is the man who currently looks most in danger of being sacked.
‘We’ve got your back’ – words of encouragement from fans for Lampard
A large away support carried banners expressing their anger at the Everton board and the club’s decline in recent seasons.
This time Moshiri, along with chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denis Barrett-Baxendale, director of football Kevin Thelwell and director Graeme Sharp, advised board members to miss last week’s home defeat to Southampton. Due to security concerns.
Unfortunately for Lampard, there was a disappointing result.
He was given a small morale boost before the game, however, when a group of fans offered him words of encouragement and reiterated that their disapproval was primarily directed at the club’s hierarchy.
“It’s not about you – that’s why all the boys are here to support the team,” one supporter told Lampard, shaking hands in a video shared on social media.
“We’re all behind you. I know you’re under a little bit of pressure but we’re behind you 100% and we’re all here today.”
Everton host league leaders Arsenal next Saturday, before the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield on 13 February.
