Phil McNulty tears into ‘appalling’ Everton board, Frank Lampard sack verdict shared
BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty has slammed the Everton board for their “appalling” decision-making in recent years.
Frank Lampard’s team suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Brighton at Goodison Park on Tuesday evening (3 January) to leave the Toffees teetering on the edge of the relegation zone.
It’s been suggested by The Guardian (4 January) that the former Chelsea boss is now “on the brink” of being sacked by the Goodison Park board.
McNulty feels the 44-year-old will be held responsible but has also suggested Moshiri, Bill Kenwright and Denise Barrett-Baxendale all have to shoulder some of the blame.
“Frank Lampard will ultimately be held responsible, as managers are, but owner Farhad Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright and CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale must not escape scrutiny for years of appalling decision-making,” wrote the BBC journalist (personal Twitter account, 3 January).
“They are equally culpable for yet another Everton crisis.”
Doomed
Lampard does have to take some of the responsibility, particularly after diverging from his tactics which earned his side an impressive point against Manchester City. Everton were good value against the Premier League champions and fans can certainly get behind a battling performance.
His decision to change formation and opt to be far more expansive was utterly disrespectful to Brighton, who are clearly a far superior team. In fact, Everton should undoubtedly take a look at the Sussex club, who have established themselves in the Premier League due to clever transfer business and brilliant appointments in the dugout and in the boardroom.
Sadly for the Toffees, it’s clear the issues at the club do run far deeper and until Moshiri sells up and leaves the club, nothing will change. The recruitment has been shockingly bad for a number of years and a complete refresh in the boardroom is required to get the club back pointing in the right direction.
Relegation is very much on the cards unless there’s a significant turnaround.