Frank Lampard has hailed Everton as a "special club" in a statement following his sacking from the Toffees on Monday.
The former Chelsea boss was dismissed from his role earlier this week after the Toffees' 2-0 defeat at West Ham. It was a result that left Everton second bottom, level on points with 20th-placed Southampton at the foot of the Premier League table.
In actual fact, Everton's form has been dismal since before the restart, having lost seven of their last eight matches. That run included defeats against Leicester, Wolves, Saints and West Ham - all sides in and around the relegation battle.
The Everton board felt a change was required and decided to sack Lampard two days after the loss at the London Stadium. And the 44-year-old released a heartfelt statement on his Instagram, where he thanks to the Toffees fans for their support during his time at the club.
A statement read on his Instagram account: "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.
"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 want to thank all Evertonians for the welcome that you gave to myself, my staff, and my family. It truly is a special club with a huge heart, and an incredible history.
"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 2022 with the Toffees firmly in the relegation dogfight. Although results were mixed during the second-half of last season, Everton managed to stay in the division after finishing above Norwich, Watford and Burnley.
There was optimism that Lampard could change the mindset of the Everton squad and guide them up the table, rather than focusing on another relegation battle. But the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham immediately put them on the back foot, especially as the Toffees failed to directly replace the Brazilian due to their financial constraints.
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also struggled with injuries, restricting him to just a handful of appearances this term. Neal Maupay was brought in but he hasn't lived up to expectations, while Demarai Gray, Dwight McNeil and Anthony Gordon have been nowhere near good enough.
The Toffees have scored a league low of 15 goals in 20 games and that has been there main issue this season, leading to Lampard's sacking. The former Derby boss became the sixth manager to lose their job this season after Thomas Tuchel, Steven Gerrard, Bruno Lage, Ralph Hasenhuttl and Scott Parker to be dismissed.
It now means that Everton will be on the lookout for their seventh permanent manager since Roberto Martinez left the club in May 2016. In the preceding time, no boss has spent more than two years in the Goodison dugout, with Carlo Ancelotti the only not to be sacked, after he unexpectedly joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2021.
Marcelo Bielsa has emerged as the leading candidate for the vacancy at Goodison Park - almost a year since his departure from Leeds. The Argentine has flew into England to have talks with the Everton board over taking over as the club's new boss.
