Everton hold talks over Frank Lampard future as sacking looms

Everton have held talks over the future of manager Frank Lampard as the 44-year-old waits to find out his fate.

Sources on Sunday believed Everton were preparing to sack Lampard, but there was no confirmation from the club over their plans.

Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri held talks with the club’s board over Lampard’s future, with consideration understood to have been given over potential replacements.

That would suggest Moshiri is gearing up to make a change of manager, having refused to give any assurances over Lampard’s future immediately after the defeat to West Ham United that left Everton second-bottom of the Premier League table and without a win in 10 games.

But Lampard could yet find he is given more time, with Moshiri known to be unsure over what represents the best course of action and short on options.

Everton cannot afford a period of indecision with the club in a relegation battle and just over a week of the transfer window to run, which could be crucial to their hopes of survival.

Asked by Sky Sports whether or not Lampard would be sacked, Moshiri, who watched Everton in person for the first time in 14 months against West Ham, bizarrely replied: “I can’t comment. It’s not my decision.”

Lampard kept Everton in the Premier League last season and galvanised the fans, who had turned on former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

But the club sold star man Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur and Financial Fair Play concerns have meant that Lampard has had little money to invest in his squad.

Moshiri and the Everton board were at West Ham on Saturday, having been warned to stay away from the club’s home defeat to Southampton following threats made to their safety.

Everton’s fans have protested against the ownership of running of the club and the dismissal of Lampard would not do anything to stop the anger and frustration directed at them.

Despite the struggles on and off the pitch, Lampard has made it clear he had no intention of quitting. Asked about his future after the West Ham defeat, the former Chelsea and England midfielder said: “I absolutely don't fear [being sacked], I'm proud to do the job. I just do my job. I get up every day and think how we can get a bit better - it's as simple as that.”

As reported by Telegraph Sport, David Moyes had faced the sack by West Ham had Everton won at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Everton are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea before the transfer window closes. The winger worked under Lampard at Stamford Bridge, but will need convincing to move to Goodison Park.

The future of Anthony Gordon could also be decided with Newcastle United showing an interest in the England Under-21 international who was the subject of a bid from Chelsea last summer.