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A 4-1 defeat at home to Brighton has seemingly rendered Frank Lampard’s position as Everton manager untenable. The Seagulls scored three times in six torturous second half minutes for Toffees’ supporters as they ran up the score in front of a furious home crowd.
Demarai Gray’s stunning strike had earned Lampard’s side a well-earned point at Manchester City just days before, but the result at the Etihad only briefly painted over the fissures that were widening during Lampard’s reign.
The former Chelsea boss departs with Everton 16th in the Premier League and without a win since mid-October. The Toffees are at a crucial point in their modern history, and it’s imperative that they appoint the right man for the job to succeed Lampard as manager.
There are several candidates to enter the poisoned chalice, and here are some of Everton’s options.
Clubs managed: Watford, Burnley
Burnley’s sacking of Dyche seemed harsh at the time and they subsequently went down despite Mike Jackson overseeing an impressive resurgence.
Dyche worked miracles at Turf Moor and the croaky-voiced Englishman is woefully misrepresented. Sure, his Burnley sides were physical, direct and capable of frustrating superior opponents in a low block, but there were also contemporary principles that made the Clarets a tough out. For example, Dyche’s 4-4-2 press was particularly well-drilled.
Dyche maximised the resources he had at his disposal and is deserving of another Premier League job. He’s one of the early favourites to succeed Lampard at Everton – an appointment that would certainly prove to be a savvy one.
Clubs managed: Derby County, DC United
The Evertonian made a name for himself as a fresh-faced teenager at Goodison Park all those years ago when he crashed home a stunning effort against Arsenal.
That was the start of Rooney’s illustrious career at the highest level, and the five-time Premier League winner returned to Merseyside in 2017 for a second spell with the Toffees.
Rooney has since moved into management where he won the hearts of minds of Derby supporters during a difficult period for the club. He wasn’t able to guide the Rams to safety, but his leadership and coaching credentials were on full display. Rooney has since returned to DC United as their head coach, but there’s no doubt that he’d be on the next flight across the Atlantic if his boyhood club came calling.
Clubs managed: Swansea City, Wigan, Everton, Belgium
Been there, done that.
Martinez enjoyed a three-year spell at Everton between 2013 and 2016, but his time at the club isn’t looked back upon too fondly by supporters. After guiding the Toffees to a fifth-place finish and their highest-ever points tally in Premier League in his debut season, Martinez’s next two campaigns were rather indifferent as Everton finished 11th in both.
The Spaniard moved onto the Belgium national team in 2016 following his sacking and spent six years in charge of the Red Devils. However, his tenure as Belgium boss is largely regarded as a failure despite reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.
This was Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’, but they failed to win any silverware and Martinez has been held accountable for their recent woes. The Spaniard left his post after a disastrous 2022 World Cup campaign and is now looking for a new job.
Clubs managed: Preston North End, Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland, West Ham United
Ah, another familiar face.
It appeared for a while that Moyes’ reputation had been tarnished for eternity after his spell at Man Utd, but his stellar coaching job at West Ham has seen the Scotsman redeem himself in the eyes of the masses. Moyes guided the Hammers to a record Premier League points tally in 2020/21 and oversaw their impressive run to the Europa League semi-finals last season.
However, the former Everton manager appears to be on the brink in east London. New signings are struggling to settle and his cautious style of play is beginning to grate on supporters.
For Everton, they may well fancy reconvening with the manager that was in the home Goodison Park dugout for 11 years between 2002 and 2013 should West Ham part ways.
Clubs managed: South Melbourne, Panachaiki, Whittlesea Zebras, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, Australia, Yokohama F. Marinos, Celtic
The Australian coach has helped return Celtic to the summit of Scottish football following a very brief period of Rangers supremacy.
Postecoglou is on course to guide Celtic to back-to-back league titles after arriving from Japan in 2021. His Celtic side are an exciting watch, and this would be a brave appointment from the Everton hierarchy.
Postecoglou’s principles will undoubtedly excite Toffees supporters with inverted full-backs, slick build-up play, relentless pressing etc., but Everton’s current squad, especially at the back, perhaps isn’t quite cut out for such a dramatic shift in style mid-way through a season.
This appointment may have short-term issues and Postecoglou will undoubtedly need transfer windows and time, but Everton will surely benefit in the long haul.
Clubs managed: Newell’s Old Boys, Atlas, America, Velez Sarsfield, Espanyol, Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille, Lazio, Lille, Leeds United
They couldn’t opt for the riskiest appointment of them all, could they? Well, it’s the incompetent Everton hierarchy so you shouldn’t put it past them.
The Marcelo Bielsa experience is an unforgettable one, but Everton need stability. The Chilean is the antithesis of tranquillity.
Bielsa has the potential to galvanise Goodison Park as he did Elland Road. His football is bonkers but mesmeric at times, with the players having no choice but to adore his harsh training methods.
The former Leeds boss will be courted by several clubs in need of a new manager, and it’ll be interesting to see whether Everton make a play for him.
