Everton news: Frank Lampard quit claim issued by pundit after what he’s seen
Noel Whelan has claimed Frank Lampard will stay at Everton even if they are relegated to the Championship this season.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 43-year-old needs the chance to “put his own stamp” on a struggling Toffees side.
Everton, who are just three points above the Premier League drop zone, bowed out of the FA Cup after a 4-0 thumping away at Crystal Palace on Sunday (20 March).
Lampard took the reins at Goodison Park on 31 January, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Merseysiders.
He has won just two top-flight games from a possible seven – picking up just 0.86 points per game.
Whelan backed the former England midfielder to oversee a rebuild at Everton despite his difficult start to life at the club.
“I think he’ll stay even if they go down,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’ll honour the contract, I’m sure – and the owners will do the same.
“They’re in a real fight, there’s no doubt about it. He’s going to need to draw on his strong characters and keep a positive mentality.
“They need something special to drag them through this because there are some really massive games coming up.
“But after watching them, I think he needs the chance to rebuild this Everton team and put his own stamp on it – whether that’s in the Premier League or the Championship.”
Everton face four of the Premier League’s top seven clubs during the run-in.
The Toffees have 11 games left to play, two more than 18th-place Watford.
In other news, pundit shares ‘massive’ Everton star verdict after injury update.