Louis Saha has issued a warning to new Everton manager Frank Lampard after admitting that he thought his former team-mate Wayne Rooney was a better fit for the job.
Saha, who fired Everton ahead in the 2009 FA Cup final against Chelsea before Lampard went on to score the winner, would have preferred to see Rooney – whom he played alongside for Manchester United between 2004-08 – return to Goodison Park given his previous Blues connections.
Speaking to William Hill, the Frenchman said: “I would have seen Rooney as the more logical choice as he knows the club.
“Lampard has experience at Chelsea, but Rooney would have a good understanding of who to talk to at the club, what he could receive, with a stronger support in many ways.
“It was a choice by Everton, they made it, and that’s it. As someone who respects the player, I’ve seen the job Rooney is doing and what he’s dedicated at Derby. I hope he gets the job he wants later as he’s shown great class.”
On Saturday, Lampard enjoyed the biggest-ever win for an Everton manager taking charge of his first game as Brentford were defeated 4-1 in the FA Cup.
However, Saha realises that Premier League points are a priority for the team right now and the new boss quickly needs to halt the slide that cost Rafa Benitez his job.
He said: “It’s an exciting move because he’s a name, probably more as a player than a manager, with all the respect I have for what he’s done at Derby and maybe Chelsea.
“But he’s a young manager, in a unique position to be managing such a big club, after maybe two-and-a-half-years’ experience.
“Chelsea and Everton have similarities but this is a big challenge, a really big challenge.
“I’m sure he’ll receive at his disposal all the tools needed. It’s such a big club with a big infrastructure.
“He’ll find it easy to adapt, as the infrastructure is not much different than at Chelsea. I can’t wait to see how he sets out his team moving forwards, how he sets up his staff and his communication.
“It’s very important he brings (Dele) Alli and (Donny) van de Beek into the mix straight away. There are a lot of things to watch out for over the next few weeks.”
The 43-year-old added: “Finishing in the top half of the table is a possibility.
“It’s a dangerous relegation race at the moment, they could be dragged down very quickly.
“You lose your first two games and you put yourself under pressure, so Everton have to be careful.
“Lampard has to hit the ground running straight away. Having all this excitement doesn’t matter if you get relegated.
“The main target is to stay up. But they have the potential for a decent run that could make them comfortable in the top half of the table.”
