Playing style, the academy and fans - the key takeaways from Frank Lampard’s first Everton interview

Frank Lampard has been confirmed as Everton manager.

The former Chelsea and Derby County supremo takes charge of the Goodison Park driving seat.

He succeeds the much-maligned Rafa Benitez as boss, after he was sacked following dreadful run of just one Premier League victory in 13 matches.

Lampard has signed a two-and-a-half year deal until the summer of 2024.

The ex-England midfielder gave his first interview at Toffees chief to the club’s website today.

Here are the key talking points.

Philosophy

Benitez’s playing style irked plenty of fans for much of his short reign.

The Spaniard would set his team up pragmatically - yet Everton consistently found themselves falling behind in games and giving themselves a mountain to climb.

During the managerial recruitment process, fans yearned for someone who wants to play with aggression and on the front foot.

Lampard insists his philosophy will be exactly that.

He said: “I keep saying passion and fight and it relates to Everton Football Club.

“Beyond that, you have to have the qualities to play good football. I was to see a team competent in possession with the ball, that can control games but also be very exciting at the top end of the pitch.

“On the flip side, when you don’t have the ball, you want to be aggressive. That’s how all my teams have set-up when I have been coaching and I’ll quickly work to make sure that’s how Everton is.

Short-term focus

Lampard will no doubt want to put some roots down on Merseyside.

In terms of management, he’s totalled just two-and-a-half years so far.

Lampard had just one season at Derby before he couldn’t turn down a return to Chelsea, which lasted one-and-a-half campaigns.

The ex-Man City midfielder will hope to have a long-term stay at Everton and bring success back to Goodison.

However, they’re currently in the mire and languish 16th in the table.

Lampard is under no illusion what he first needs to address - and that’s ensuring fortunes are swiftly turned around.

He said: “The most important thing we all know is the short term.

“But, yes, we all know the new stadium that’s coming, where this club wants to be but we know first and foremost the challenges ahead of us right now.

“This is the position I’m in and I’ve watched closely from the outside.

“Now I’m in, the first thing as a football club when you’re having tough times is regaining confidence and getting together.

“We have to work hard, be focused and have to have confidence. It’s a good squad, bunch of players and good team.

Youngsters’ vision

Lampard has built a reputation for being able to develop young players during his short managerial career.

The likes of Mason Mount, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Harry Wilson and Billy Gilbert have all benefited from his tutelage significantly.

Evertonians are hopeful that the likes of Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dobbin and Ellis Simms can all become first-team regulars for years to come.

Lampard is acutely aware how much the supporters want to see homegrown talent in the first team.

But the fledgling players must earn their spot.

He said: “I was that young player a long time ago and understand what it’s to be a player that’s come through the club.

“At Everton, there is a history of bringing players through. There is direct relationship with the fans when they bring a homegrown player through.

“My job as manager is to not get too nostalgic about that. They have to earn that right,

“If I can integrate them, if it improves the team, improves the feel of the squad and brings great balance then I’ll do that.

“We have to have a strong link with the academy, make sure the academy coaches and players know, if they perform, they can move into the first-team build and there’ll be a pathway into the first team.”

Fan relationship

Lampard is well aware of the frustrations that currently run deep throughout the fan base.

He’s determined to use the supporters’ passion as a positive, though, and ensure that the players replicate it on the pitch.

Lampard said: “I felt, as a player, the passion and support of a crowd. That can swing a game and it’s important.

“The position we are in the table, we certainly need that.

“It’s a two-way thing. The players have to show that on the pitch, the same passion every fan shows who turns up to watch Everton.

“That will be my first job and message to the players. Together, we have to do it. It can’t be done without support both ways.

“We will try to do our job and I know the fans will be there backing us.”