Sky Sports pundit in strong verdict on Everton’s Lampard for England as Southgate pressure grows
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
There is “no chance” that Frank Lampard is in the frame for the England job as he has his hands full with Everton, according to Kevin Campbell.
The Three Lions lost 1-0 to Italy in Milan on Friday night (23 September) to confirm relegation from their Nations League group, leading to mounting pressure on Gareth Southgate whose side have gone without a win or a goal from open play since March.
But Campbell, a Sky Sports pundit, sees absolutely no mileage in the idea that the Toffees boss would leave a “match made in heaven” for the international role, and doesn’t think he has proven himself ready for that kind of job yet anyway.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News about the possibility he said emphatically: “Nah, no chance.
“No chance Lampard for England. Lampard’s got his hands full at Everton, trust me.
“And if you’re going to be an international manager you’re not hands-on with the players all the time.
“Frank Lampard needs to make his name as a manager. Great player, he’s been kind of stop and start as a manager at times so Everton need him and he needs Everton.
“I think it’s a match made in heaven. He’s got a good staff with him as well.
“I can’t see Frank Lampard being in the frame for no England manager job, no.”
Given the preference for an English manager to take charge of the national team, and especially in light of top candidate Graham Potter’s recent move to Chelsea on 8 September, there are not too many clear options should the role even become available.
Lampard and fellow ex-England star Steven Gerrard are bound to be mentioned but neither seem like they are ready for that at this stage, and Eddie Howe is probably ahead of them.
Before he arrived at Goodison the Toffees boss would have had no claim to the the England job, but after succeeding in keeping the club from the abyss of relegation last year, and bringing about some impressive changes in the new season his stature is rising, but Campbell can’t see it as something to worry about for some time yet.