Everton fear No 1 choice Marcelo Bielsa will TURN DOWN their approach to replace Frank Lampard

Marcelo Bielsa has serious doubts about replacing Frank Lampard at Everton.

sports mail revealed on Monday that former Leeds boss Bielsa was the Toffees’ first-choice candidate to replace Lampard, who lost his job following a terrible run that has left the club in danger of relegation.

However, the Argentine is understood to have serious reservations about taking charge of Goodison Park in a development that comes as a major blow to Everton’s hopes of appointing Bielsa.

Everton fear Marcelo Bielsa (left) will reject their proposal to replace Frank Lampard (right)

Former Leeds United boss has major doubts about taking Goodison Park hot seat

Whether the Merseyside club try to persuade Bielsa or move towards other targets remains to be seen.

Key figures within the Everton hierarchy remain admirers of their previous manager, Sam Allardyce, who held initial talks with the club about replacing Lampard.

There is a feeling at Goodison that Allardyce’s experience in guiding relegation-threatened teams to safety offers the club a strong chance of avoiding the downfall.

Sean Dyche is out of a job, but Everton’s board is reluctant to sign the former Burnley boss.

Allardyce spent just six months with Everton in 2017-18 after being appointed by Farhad Moshiri to replace Ronald Koeman, with the club in danger of relegation, and ended up guiding the Toffees to an eighth-place finish.

Everton have been in talks with former boss Sam Allardyce who is a backup option to take over.

But despite being given an 18-month contract, he was fired at the end of the season, and fans were not drawn to his defensive style of play. Since leaving Everton, Allardyce had a brief spell in charge of West Brom in 2020-21 but hasn’t managed a team since.

Everton will need another manager who can help them reach safety after finding themselves 19th in the table after picking up 15 points from 20 games, with just three wins, the fewest of any side.

The club confirmed Lampard’s sacking on Monday night after Sportsmail published the story earlier that day.

“Everton Football Club can confirm that Frank Lampard has left his position as senior men’s first team manager today,” they said in a statement.

Lampard was sacked on Monday after a terrible run put Everton in jeopardy.

Joe Edwards, Paul Clement, Ashley Cole and Chris Jones have also left the Club. Alan Kelly will remain as goalkeeping coach.

“Everyone at Everton would like to thank Frank and his coaching staff for their service during what has been a challenging 12 months.

“The commitment and dedication of Frank and his team have been exemplary throughout their time at the Club, but recent results and the current position in the league have forced this difficult decision. We wish Frank and his entire backroom team the very best for his future in the game.

The Club has started the process to secure a new manager and will provide updates on the appointment in due course.

“Paul Tait and Leighton Baines will receive training until a new manager is named.”

During a phone call with Moshiri, Everton’s biggest shareholder, the former Chelsea and Derby boss was told his 357-day term in charge had come to an end.

Lampard had been in talks with Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright and Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s director of football, on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat at West Ham, Everton’s 11th defeat in their last 14 games in all competitions. .

Lampard leaves Goodison Park having won just 12 of his 44 games in charge of the club

He was aware that appetite for the manager change had increased, but was uncertain what direction the club might take, as some conversations he had with Moshiri centered on his views on recruiting.

The 44-year-old had 18 months left on the contract he signed on January 31 last year.

It has been a very challenging time for Lampard, who had developed a great affinity for the club, enjoyed living in the North West and was desperate to bring success to a group of fans who had never given him anything more than public support. .

Lampard has also had to deal with disciplinary problems within his squad and was forced to send Abdoulaye Doucoure to training alone last week following a trade following a 2-1 loss to Southampton on 14 January.

His time at the club came amid mass riots by supporters, with the likes of Yerry Mina and Anthony Gordon also confronted by angry fans after the loss to Southampton earlier this month.