Everton have confirmed the appointment of Frank Lampard as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The former England, Chelsea, Manchester City and West Ham United midfielder succeeds Rafael Benitez at the Goodison Park helm following the Spaniard's sacking earlier this month.
Lampard, who was offered the job ahead of Duncan Ferguson and Vitor Pereira, has now put pen to paper on a contract which will keep him with the Toffees until June 2024.
Reports suggested that Lampard had asked Ferguson to stay on at the club, although the announcement makes no mention of the Scot, with Joe Edwards joining from Chelsea as Lampard's assistant manager.
"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," the new manager told the club's official website.
"You can feel the passion Everton fans have for their club. That will be hugely important. As a team – the competitive level that the Premier League brings and the position we are in the table – we certainly need that. It's a two-way thing. I think Everton is a unique club in that you can really understand what the fans want to see. The first thing they want is fight and desire and that must always be our baseline.
"My first message to the players will be that we have to do this together. We'll try to do our job and I know the fans will be there backing us."
Welcome to Everton Football Club, Frank Lampard! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/LuGqBCrrE7
— Everton (@Everton) January 31, 2022
Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri added: "I am really delighted that Frank has joined us. He is an impressive young man and off the pitch. He has played at the very highest level of the game and has football in his blood.
"He impressed us all greatly during the thorough interview process and we're all ready to give him all of our support as he looks to give the team an immediate boost."
Chairman Bill Kenwright also said: "Frank impressed us greatly throughout our process, coming across as a modern, ambitious and exciting young manager. He expressed a clear vision on how he wants to take the club forward and, importantly, a tremendous passion and genuine enthusiasm to join us.
"I'm sure Evertonians will give him the special welcome that only they can and will be looking forward to giving him and his coaching staff a warm Goodison welcome next weekend."
In addition to Joe Edwards, Lampard will also be supported by new first-team coaches Paul Clement and Chris Jones.
Lampard's first game in charge will come at home to Brentford in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
