Everton legend now 'asked to step up' if Lampard sacked at Goodison Park | OneFootball

Everton legend Leighton Baines has been asked to “step up as caretaker manager”, should current boss Frank Lampard get sacked, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook revealed to GIVEMESPORT.

The Toffees have endured a troublesome campaign and could face relegation out of the top flight for the first time in over 65 years.

What’s the latest news involving Frank Lampard and Everton?

Languishing in the relegation zone, it hasn’t been the ideal first half of the campaign for Lampard at Everton. Having been heralded for saving the Merseyside giants from the drop last season, Everton are sleepwalking into another relegation battle.

Last relegated from the first tier in 1951, before earning promotion back to the old first division three years later, Everton has been a staple in the top flight for 68 years. A founding member of the Premier League in 1992, the Toffees will be playing Championship football next season, should they fail to turn their form around.

Appointed as boss a little over a year ago, Lampard has struggled during his time at Goodison Park, winning just nine of his 36 Premier League games. Taunted by the Manchester United supporters with chants of “sacked in the morning” during their most recent defeat, the pressure is beginning to pile on the shoulders of the ex-Chelsea and Derby County manager.

With a crucial clash against fellow strugglers Southampton on the horizon this weekend, talk about who could replace Lampard is already starting to gain traction.

What has Crook said about Lampard and Everton?

In an interview with GIVEMESPORT, talkSPORT reporter Crook claimed Everton could turn to a former player as caretaker manager, should Lampard be given the boot.

“I think Lampard probably is under more pressure than Nathan Jones,” Crook told GMS in relation to Everton’s all-important clash against Southampton this weekend.

It looked pretty close to him losing his job after their last Premier League game.

“Obviously he’s still there. I was hearing whispers that Leighton Baines has been asked to step up as caretaker manager, should they part company with Lampard, so that’s an interesting one.”

How can Lampard save his Everton job?

Quite simply, by winning games. Given the perilous position they find themselves in, the time for building a footballing philosophy has disappeared, with results now the only currency Lampard can afford to deal in.

With Baines, who has spent the last seven months as Everton’s under-18s manager, hovering over his shoulder, Lampard can ill-afford any more slip-ups, should he want to avoid getting the sack for the third time in just two years.

Saturday’s must-win clash against fellow relegation candidates Southampton could bring about the end of Lampard’s tenure, should Everton fail to pick up a result. Defeat at Goodison this weekend could see Everton slip to the bottom of the Premier League table, depending on results elsewhere, indicating Lampard has little room for manoeuvre.