The Toffees went down 2-0 away to West Ham United at the London Stadium – courtesy of a Jarrod Bowen’s brace, which saw the Merseyside outfit record a eighth defeat in nine games further increasing the pressure on Lampard. Their terrible run sees the club rooted in the relegation zone (19th place) on the Premier League standings and only above Southampton on goal difference.
Furthermore, Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri who was present to watch the game, left London without speaking to Lampard and subsequently failed to offer his backing for the under-fire gaffer. When asked about Lampard’s future, he replied in cryptic fashion: “I can’t comment, it is not my decision.”
Chairman Bill Kenwright was also asked about Lampard’s future, though he revealed: “It has been a bad run of results for us all and for Frank but I would never say that to you, ever. We have to start winning haven’t we. Bad time.”
Lampard leaves the role just under a year at the helm and having won twelve out of his 44 matches in charge. The loss to West Ham United leaves the Toffees two points adrift of safety, having accrued just 15 points from 20 league games this season.
It is not yet clear who will assume the managerial role at Goodison Park following Lampard’s exit, though club legend Leighton Baines, who is in charge of the Under-18s, and Under-21 head coach Paul Tait are in line to oversee the day-to-day matters.
Whoever comes in would have to contend with two massively difficult fixtures for the Toffees – with Arsenal and Liverpool next on their schedule in the Premier League.