Frank Lampard: Everton boss ‘absolutely’ does not fear being sacked

Everton manager Frank Lampard says he “absolutely” does not fear being sacked after his side were beaten by West Ham in the Premier League.

Everton’s poor form, consisting of six defeats and two draws, is Lampard’s longest winless run as a manager in league competition.

“I don’t get that far down the line to fear,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

When asked by Sky Sports if it was time Lampard was sacked, Everton owner Farhad Moshiri – who was at London Stadium to watch his team in action for the first time in 14 months – replied: “I can’t comment. It’s not my decision.”

During Everton’s poor run of league form over the past three months, the club has also been knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup at the third-round stage.

Jarrod Bowen scored two goals in the first half to hand former Toffees boss David Moyes a much-needed win and heap more misery on under-fire Lampard.

The Blues manager added: “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.”

Lampard conceded after the defeat the club are in “tough times” and said he knew the task at Goodison Park would be considerable when he took over a year ago because the team were already struggling.

“We had a big fight and stayed in the league [last season],” he told Match of the Day.

“We lost Richarlison and now have tried to build around that, so it is normal we are fighting again when other clubs are trying to move on.

“History moves on and nothing gives you the right to be in their league. If you don’t move you will hit tough times. We are in tough times and everyone has to try to move forward.

“It is impossible for me to jump into the future. Last season we were five points shy of safety with five or six games to go, but as a club we have to move together.

“I cannot complain about the spirit of the players and how they approached the game. They may have passed it slow but we didn’t find it in the final third.”

‘We are behind you’ – encouraging words from fans for Lampard

The large away support brought banners voicing their anger at the Everton board and the decline of the club in recent seasons.

The protests were witnessed in person this time by Moshiri, along with chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, football director Kevin Thelwell and director Graeme Sharp after the board members were advised to miss last week’s home defeat by Southampton because of safety concerns.

Unfortunately for Lampard, so was the disappointing result.

He was given a small morale boost before the game, however, when a group of fans offered him encouraging words and reiterated that their disapproval is mainly directed at the club’s hierarchy.

“It’s not about you – that’s why all the boys are here to support the team,” one supporter tells Lampard as he shakes his hand in the video that was shared on social media.

“We are all behind you. I know you’re under a bit of pressure but we are 100% behind you and we’re all here today.”

Everton host league leaders Arsenal next Saturday, before a Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield on 13 February.