Everton's search for a new manager could be about to come to an end, with Frank Lampard reportedly being offered the position.
The Toffees sacked Rafael Benitez earlier this month following a dreadful run of form which saw them plummet down the Premier League table and into relegation trouble.
Owner Farhad Moshiri was understood to have narrowed the final shortlist down to three names - Vitor Pereira, Duncan Ferguson and Lampard - and the latter is now expected to get the job.
Here, the Sports Mole team discuss whether they think the Chelsea legend will be a good appointment for the Merseysiders.
Barney Corkhill, Editor
It is not an exaggeration to say that this appointment could be make-or-break for the short-term futures of both club and manager, although it is more of a risk for Everton than it is for Lampard, whose managerial stock has decreased perhaps more than it deserves.
Lampard did not do a bad job at Chelsea given the circumstances, but Thomas Tuchel's immediate success in the role also suggested that the club legend still underperformed at Stamford Bridge.
For Everton, the appointment would be a step away from the recent tactic of choosing experienced managers, but something does need to change at Goodison Park and the owners will be well aware that they can ill-afford another wrong decision if they are to avoid even greater fan protests.
There is a case to be made for Duncan Ferguson to be given a shot, but of the final three on their shortlist - including Vitor Pereira too - I believe that Lampard is the best option. It is a new challenge for him as first and foremost he looks to steer Everton to survival, but it is one he will relish and one which he knows failure to achieve could leave him in the managerial abyss going forward.
Matches against Brentford, Newcastle United, Leeds United and Southampton in his first four should allow him to settle in, and if he can get off to a good start there then there is no reason why Lampard cannot drag the Toffees back towards the top half.
Matt Law, Football Editor
In my opinion, Lampard is a huge risk for Everton. He did a brilliant job at Derby County but would not have been in the argument for the Chelsea job had he not been such a legendary player for the club. Everton cannot really afford to get this appointment wrong, and it is a really, really tough job for whoever takes it.
Lampard will be keen to prove that he can become a long-term Premier League manager, but there were question marks over his coaching abilities at Chelsea, and he will be expected to hit the ground running at Everton, who are dangerously close to the bottom three due to their recent struggles.
Darren Plant, Senior reporter
You can look at this appointment from many different perspectives and you won't reach a conclusion where every box is ticked. However, that is not to say that the appointment is not right for Everton, nor a job that Lampard cannot afford to turn down.
Regardless of your opinion of Lampard's stint at Chelsea, he has pulling power, will develop younger players and will attempt to enforce a more attractive style of play.
There's no guarantee that it will be a recipe for success in this instance, but Everton and their supporters realistically cannot ask for more. Aside from a reunion with Wayne Rooney, this is the next best option.
From Lampard's perspective, he simply has to take this job if he wants to be taken seriously. Of course, it comes with risks, but he has allegedly been in the running for roles at Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Norwich City without anything coming to fruition. Failure to take this position and he will be viewed as being too picky. Everton isn't the perfect job for him but he has to roll the dice.
Sammy Wynne, Reporter
Frank Lampard has got a good record for developing young players, having helped Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham in particular during his time at Derby and Chelsea. This is sure to help Everton's youngsters, specifically Anthony Gordon, who has already shown some bright sparks for the Toffees.
Aspects such as youth development could be key for Everton and there does not seem to be a better manager in the market than Lampard to bring them through to first-team starters.
He also guided Chelsea to a top four finish after losing Eden Hazard and being under a transfer ban, after just missing out on promotion to the Premier League with the Rams, suggesting that he has good capabilities as a manager.
He is clearly a passionate manager, as he was a player, which is exactly what Everton fans want, someone who cares about the team as much as they do.
Matthew Tranter, Reporter
I think Lampard is a good appointment for Everton in their current situation. The Chelsea legend did a fantastic job at Stamford Bridge under difficult circumstances. He returned to the club after they had just lost their star man Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, and were under the restrictions of a transfer embargo as well.
Despite the situation, he got them back into the Champions League and led them to an FA Cup final too. It only started to fall apart the next season when the club's hierarchy reportedly made a host of top signings against his will, including Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
Now whether he will be concerned of similar problems at Everton under Farhad Moshiri remains to be seen, but given their current situation midway through a season, I do not think there were many better candidates out there than Lampard.
They needed someone with experience of managing in the Premier League, and one with a modern input in my opinion. He will bring a more attractive style of football and his legendary name can be used to lure some talented players needed to lift them up the table and away from danger.
The only concern I do have with it is where it leaves Everton legend Duncan Ferguson, as if he stays on the coaching staff once more, there is potential for friction considering Lampard's relatively small amount of managerial experience and his younger age. But overall, yes I believe Frank will be a good appointment for the Toffees.
Joel Lefevre, Reporter
I believe bringing in Frank Lampard would be a good appointment for The Toffees of Everton. The Englishman spent the majority of his career as a player in the Premier League, and it seemed clear to me how much he loves the league and that he would do anything to win here.
His tenure at Chelsea did not go as he had hoped, though I believe he is capable of learning from his mistakes and could fare well at a smaller club in the top flight. He has always been a bright and quick-thinking individual as a player and he brings with him respect because of his achievements as a footballer, so being able to relate to these youngsters should come fairly easily to him.
I also think that he could learn from his past mistakes and succeed in a place like Merseyside where the pressure will not be as great on him as it was in London with The Blues. Similar to David Moyes at West Ham, I think he needs to be a club on a slightly smaller scale than Chelsea and given his big-league experience could be a very smart hire.
body check tags ::
