Lampard starts Everton reign under ‘no illusions’
FRANK Lampard will take charge of Everton for the first time when Brentford visit Goodison Park in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend while West Ham faces a tricky tie against non-league Kidderminster.
Manchester United kickoff the round at home to Middlesbrough and Premier League leader Manchester City faces free-scoring Fulham, top of the Championship, the following day.
Lampard is ready for the challenge of lifting the gloom at Everton.
Lampard is back in management just over a year after his sacking by Chelsea, but the former England star arrives with his new club in turmoil after Rafael Benitez’s disastrous reign.
Everton is just four points above the Premier League relegation zone, with its only win in their past six games coming in extra-time at second-tier Hull in the FA Cup.
Furious fans have protested against Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri for his perceived role in the club’s decline.
Lampard needs a quick start in what is shaping up to be the acid test of his managerial skills after a mixed 18month spell at Chelsea.
“Of course we know we’re in a position the club doesn’t want to be in,” Lampard said ahead of his first game.
“I’m under no illusions but I’ve got a lot of belief in the squad. “Nobody would be happy with the run we’ve been on in terms of points but I have to bring an element of calm to the players.”
Kidderminster manager Russ Penn has challenged his non-league side to inflict fresh FA Cup anguish on West Ham boss David Moyes and the club’s owners.
“We have to believe history can be made one day, so let’s hope it could be Saturday,” Penn said.