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Everton consider replacing under-fire manager Frank Lampard with Manchester United legend.
Everton has shortlisted Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney to succeed under-fire manager Frank Lampard, who is facing an increasingly difficult battle to save his job.
The Chelsea legend’s career is in jeopardy after his squad was jeered off the field on Tuesday night following a heartbreaking 4-1 loss against Brighton at home.
While the majority of the Goodison Park fans’ rage had been focused on the board, Lampard’s future now hangs on a thread as his haphazard team battles for the second straight season to remain in the Premier League.
Defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup on Friday night would likely spell the end of a difficult 12-month spell on Merseyside.
The Everton board is already making plans for prospective Lampard replacements, with his old England teammate Rooney at the top of their list.
The current manager of DC United passed up the chance to make an emotional comeback to his old team a year ago when Everton was looking for Rafa Benitez’s successor, but he may now believe the moment is perfect to take his first managerial position in England.
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The former manager of Burnley, Sean Dyche, who has been unemployed since being brutally fired by the Clarets last season, is also a front-runner to succeed Lampard. Roberto Martinez, who led the Toffees for three seasons between 2013 and 2016, is also a possibility after quitting the Belgian national team following their World Cup group-stage exit.
Lampard is hoping to strengthen his squad during the January window but suffered a blow on Wednesday when a loan move for Aston Villa’s Danny Ings, who scored in last night’s 1-1 draw against Wolves, was turned down.
Speaking after the defeat against Brighton, meanwhile, Lampard insisted he remained confident he could still turn the Everton ship around.
He said: ‘It was very disappointing, even in the first half, I would say. [It was] a mistake from us for their goal, but I think general play was pretty even, we had our chances.
‘But then three goals in six minutes, defensive mistakes from us and that finishes the game. We’re all in it together, so it’s not a question of anger. We’re disappointed, we want to win games.
‘We’re all in it together, so it’s not a question of anger. We’re disappointed, we want to win games. Since I’ve been here I’ve been in a relegation battle [both last season and this season]. I can’t control the talk but I don’t focus on it.
‘I’m very confident in myself but I can’t predict the future. It’s Manchester United [in the FA Cup] next and that’s all we can look at.’