Following the departure of Rafa Benitez, Everton have appointed a new manager and that man is former Derby and Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.
The former England midfielder has signed a two and a half year contract with the Merseyside club and got to work straight away with the transfer deadline day signings of both Donny van der Beek and Dele Alli.
Lampard takes over with the Toffees in 16th place in the league, just four points above the relegation zone. His tenure starts with a 4th round FA Cup tie against Brentford.
Lampard wasn’t the only name in the reckoning for the Everton job, former striker Wayne Rooney was also considered for the role, but Rooney informed the press that he had declined the opportunity to discuss the job, instead choosing to focus on his current position with Derby.
Speaking ahead of the club’s 2-2 draw against Birmingham, Rooney confirmed Everton’s approach:
“Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the job, which I turned down.
“I believe I will be a Premier League manager and I am ready for that 100 per cent…
But I have a job to do at Derby County, which is an important job to me.”
Rooney’s Derby find themselves bottom of the Championship only by virtue of the club receiving a 21 point deduction as a punishment for the club’s severe debt problems. Remarkably, despite the huge point deficits that Derby received, Rooney has guided to Derby to being just eight points from safety and it’s his desire to try and finish the job he started.
If Rooney can keep Derby in the Championship, it will be nothing short of miraculous and Premier League clubs are bound to come calling once again.