Simon Jordan doesn’t believe Frank Lampard is the right man for Everton, telling talkSPORT (2 June, 10.50am) Crystal Palace is a better fit for the former Chelsea manager.
While one former England international midfielder has been linked with a shock switch to Goodison Park in the aftermath of Carlo Ancelotti’s sudden departure, Frank Lampard’s name has yet to enter discussions.
According to The Athletic, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard – yes, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard – is one of the early names on the Everton wish-list.
You’d get shorter odds on Gary Neville tattooing the Liver Bird on his chest than Gerrard returning to Merseyside on the blue half of Stanley Park, however.
Paulo Fonseca, Erik ten Hag, Ralf Rangnick and another Reds hero in the shape of Rafa Benitez have also been linked during the past 24 hours or so.
Lampard ‘should be in the conversation’ at Everton
But what about Lampard, the 42-year-old who, while hardly the finished article, led an exciting, youthful, forward-thinking Chelsea side to a top-four spot and an FA Cup final as recently as 12 months ago?
“Frank should be in the conversation,” says former Crystal Palace chairman Jordan. “But it goes hand in hand as part of the conversation about where Frank is in his managerial career.
“Frank, in my belief, will be a very successful manager and the next appointment he takes will be key to that. Going into Everton, at this stage of their development, might be an ask for Frank because you’ve got to look at the fact Frank still isn’t an established Premier League manager.
“To get Everton where they really want to go, you need someone who knows what they’re doing and not someone who’s going to learn on your time.”
Jordan: ‘I can see Frank Lampard at Crystal Palace’
Jordan added: “If Everton want to give Frank five years, and give him a significant amount of backing, maybe Frank could give them what they want. But I think Everton want to get out of the blocks quickly.
“I can see Frank Lampard landing at a Crystal Palace more than I can see Frank Lampard landing at an Everton.”
While Lampard has yet to be linked with the vacant Goodison Park post, he has been mentioned as a potential replacement for his one-time England boss Roy Hodgson in south London.
However, while he’s an avid believer in Lampard’s managerial potential, Jordan thinks Crystal Palace should go for the tried and trusted option of Sean Dyche instead.
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