Louis Saha claims Frank Lampard didn’t deserve the Everton job

Published 10:26 9 Apr 2022 BST

Updated 10:30 9 Apr 2022 BST

Luke Jennings

Louis Saha claims Frank Lampard didn’t deserve the Everton job

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'I didn't think he'd done enough to be the manager of a team like Everton'

Louis Saha pulled no punches when asked about the decision to give Frank Lampard the Everton manager's job. Wednesday night's defeat to Burnley left the Toffees one point above the relegation zone, with arguably a tougher fixture schedule than the other teams scrapping for survival.

Louis Saha on Frank Lampard.

Saha acknowledged the job Lampard had done at Derby County - guiding them to the play-off final in his first season in management - he was adamant the 43-year-old was not in a position to take the Everton job, even after his time as manager of Chelsea. "When he signed on to be the manager of Everton I thought, yes he was a great player, he has done some good stuff at Derby," Saha said after Everton's 3-2 loss at Turf Moor. "But I didn't think he'd done enough to suggest he deserved to be the manager of a team like Everton after the spell he had with Chelsea, who were playing in the Champions League."

Saha pinpoints Wayne Rooney as his preferred option.

Saha highlighted the current Rams boss Wayne Rooney as a better fit for Goodison Park than Lampard. Rooney turned down the opportunity to be interviewed by Everton as he wanted to focus on the task at hand managing Derby. Saha praised Lampard's qualities, but isn't "super enthusiastic" about Everton's run-in. "I didn't think he was a better match than Wayne Rooney. Wayne was obviously aware of things going on in the club," Saha added. "Obviously Frank was available. He's a good guy and has good skills in communication, but it's a tough job to do and sometimes you need luck and he hasn't got that at the moment. "I was not super enthusiastic about him as I didn't think he was the number one choice." Everton host Manchester United on Saturday, with Lampard having seen the club lose seven of his nine games in charge to date.