Victor Anichebe calls for ‘horrendous’ Everton board to sack Frank Lampard after Burnley defeat
Frank Lampard has to be sacked as Everton manager or the club will “100%” be relegated, according to former Toffees striker Victor Anichebe.
The retired Nigerian forward made the comments on his Instagram stories before and during the 3-2 loss at Turf Moor (6 April) which put Premier League survival in major danger.
Before the result became clear he had already directed blame at the players, and the board who he called “absolutely horrendous”, claimed appointing Lampard was “absurd” and signing Dele Alli “baffling”, while suggesting Sam Allardyce had been the answer.
In the first of three posts on his Instagram stories Anichebe wrote: “Apologies if I don’t respond tonight I just can’t be bothered.
“So… the players are responsible first and foremost.
“But Everton’s board is absolute horrendous. The money they’ve wasted, the sackings of influential staff like [Danny Donachie], not letting Marcel Brands actually do his job, bringing in Rafa, creating a complete disconnect with fans and club.
“Next – appointing Lampard (who is a good coach) but appointing him when you know you’re in a relegation battle with a tough run in.. was absurd.. him getting Alli who is a luxury player.. in a relegation fight.. baffling.
“If something doesn’t happen tonight they are 100% going down. Right now it’s 60%. Keep the faith.”
In a second post over a photo of former boss Allardyce he wrote: “Said it weeks ago.. Y’all laughed. Some said rather go down with dignity. Okkkkk….”
Later, with the Toffees 3-2 down and having just brought on Salomon Rondon at Turf Moor he was even more resigned and called for the manager to go, writing: “Too late.. should’ve brought him on 10mins ago it was obvious [Dominic Calvert-Lewin] has been poor.
“The players aren’t good enough but neither is Frank as much as I love him as a player and looks like a top guy.
“Everton will go down 100% if a change isn’t made.”
Didn’t hold back
For all it is strong and unequivocal, Anichebe’s criticism is considered and cannot be written off as passion or upset in defeat.
He has given reasons and clarifications for his position which makes it a strong argument.
As a product of the youth system and someone who spent eight and a half seasons at the club during primarily happier times his stance is pretty damning.
Farhad Moshiri holds ultimate responsibility, but chairman Bill Kenwright, Denise Barrett-Baxendale and everyone else whose job it is to advise and influence him are not blameless.
The decisions that have been made at the top around Goodison have cumulatively been disastrous.
They should have known better than any outsider the direction the club was headed, both on the pitch and financially.
Yet they have put the wrong people in the wrong positions and are now staring Premier League relegation in the face.
In other Everton news, Simon Jordan pinpointed the decision that “poisoned” the club and says which man is to blame for the mess.
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