Everton have confirmed Frank Lampard as the club’s new manager.
The former Derby and Chelsea boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract – until June 2024 – having impressed the club over a series of interviews.
The 43-year-old will take charge of training this week and his first game will be a meeting with Brentford in the fourth round of the FA Cup on February 5.
The ex-England midfielder, who was relieved of his duties in charge of the Blues after a season-and-a-half in January 2021, arrives on Merseyside to succeed Rafael Benitez with the club mired in a relegation battle.
Lampard emerged as the preferred candidate at the Toffees ahead of interim boss Duncan Ferguson and former Porto coach Vítor Pereira,
Lampard told the club’s official website: “It is a huge honour for me to represent and manage a club the size and tradition of Everton football club.
“I’m very hungry to get started. After speaking to the owner, chairman and the board, I very much felt their passion and ambition. I hope they felt my ambition and how hard I want to work to bring it together.
and now faces the challenge of ensuring the club’s unbroken 68-year stay in the top flight does not come to an end.