Lampard breaks silence on Everton departure with touching statement

Frank Lampard has released a statement for the first time since he was relieved of his duties as Everton’s head coach earlier this week.

The 44-year-old took to his Instagram to say his goodbyes to the Everton fans and hailed the Merseyside outfit as a ‘special club’.

Lampard was sacked on Monday after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham United – a result that left the club second bottom on the Premier League table.

Everton failed to win any of their last ten games in Lampard’s tenure, losing eight and drawing two. The defeat at the London Stadium was their 11th in 14 games in all competitions.

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri had publicly backed the former Chelsea boss in an open letter to the fans, but that did little to end their abysmal run of form that saw the club hierarchy run out of patience with the English tactician.

On Thursday night, Lampard took to social media to admit that he was ‘disappointed’ that he could not achieve more at Goodison Park before wishing them the best for the future.

“Coming in to Everton last year, I knew we were in a tough moment, and I will always be proud of the incredible work and support from everyone involved to keep the team in the Premier League last season,” Lampard wrote on Instagram.

“Thanks to everybody that played their part as the whole club came together. I will never forget the incredible night against Palace that we shared. 

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t achieve more together and wish all the players and everyone at Everton FC the very best for the future.”

Lampard took over from Rafael Benitez in January last year with the Toffees firmly in the relegation scrap. But the Englishman steered the club to safety in the final stages of the campaign.

It was expected that the Toffees would build on their impressive survival from last season, but they are once again in a fierce battle to retain top-flight status.

Everton have already begun the search for Lampard’s replacement, with several candidates already in the running to take the vacant job.

Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa was understood to be the leading candidate for the job, but the Argentine is unsure about joining the Merseyside club.