Frank Lampard is set to be appointed the new manager of Everton.
Lampard has been out of work since being sacked as manager of Chelsea last January. Although he has been linked with a number of jobs since, this time it looks like he will finally be back in work.
Everton have been without a full-time manager since Rafa Benitez was sacked after just seven months in post. Duncan Ferguson, appointed caretaker boss for one game, was also in contention for the job. However, he lacks managerial experience.
Another man linked with the position was former Everton favourite Wayne Rooney, but he asked not to be considered as he feels that he still has a job to do with beleaguered Derby County, who face potential liquidation before the end of the season unless they can provide the English Football League with proof of having enough funds to continue operating.
Earlier in the week, it seemed certain that the Portuguese Vitor Pereira was set to get the job.
He was the preferred choice of the club’s owner, Farhad Moshiri, and had made clear his desire for the position.
However, his prospective appointment provoked fury amongst an Everton, already disillusioned with the club’s board after years without success. Graffiti appeared on walls demanding the removal of Pereira before he had even started.
Mindful of what happened to Benitez, whom many supporters did not want, other board members began to have their doubts. Moshiri was persuaded to reconsider.
Whether Lampard is the right man for the job only time will tell. His immediate task is to stop their free fall towards the relegation places.
At least he starts with a ground swell of favourable opinion in his favour. That may see him through if initial results do not go his way. Pereira was unlikely to be granted any such leniency.
Everton’s hierarchy might have made the right tactical decision as well. This time, if things go wrong, they can argue that they were simply bowing to the fan’s choice.