by Frank Lampard has stated that keeping Everton in the Premier League would mean more than all his titles won with Chelsea, because of the responsibility he feels.
Lampard was signed by Everton at the end of January, following the sacking of Rafa Benítez, a few months after the appointment of the former Liverpool manager.
The club was already in trouble at the time, sitting 16th and just four points above the relegation zone, and Lampard has had it tough this season.
The Toffees slipped into the bottom three a couple of weeks ago, thanks to poor form and Burnley’s upturn in fortunes, but recent weeks have seen them jump above the relegation zone and improve status. mood in Goodison Park.
With four games remaining in their season – one more than relegation rivals Burnley and Leeds United – they sit a point above relegation and Lampard has revealed that trying to stay top represents more at stake than winning titles with Chelsea as a player.
“When you go through this experience of a relegation battle, it consumes you so much and you want the right thing because you understand what’s at stake,” the Everton boss said at his pre-match news conference with Watford on Wednesday.
“There is more at stake for me now than when I won the Premier League as a player because of what it means to the club.
“The economy is also bigger to a different degree and, individually, how you feel about it. The idea of what that’s going to mean for the people who work here, and the fans, how they feel about it, intensifies.”
Things have looked bleak at times for the Merseyside side, who are potentially still facing their first relegation from the Premier League, even after a win over Manchester United.
During the bad times, the manager admitted that he considered whether he had made the right decision by returning to management, just over a year after Chelsea sacked him.
“Could possibly have waited [before returning to management]. I could have sat on my butt and cleaned the dumpsters for another six months at home. . . I’ve found that quite attractive a couple of times in the last few months,” the 43-year-old said.
“But it would mean I wouldn’t be experiencing 3,300 fans acting like they did the other day. [at Leicester]or come to training ground or show up for the Chelsea game.
“You have to take the rough with the soft. The feeling of that, understanding how big this club is and what’s at stake here has been a really huge thing for me.”
The Toffees will certainly increase their chances of staying on their feet if they pick up another three points against already relegated Watford, who are unhappy with manager Roy Hodgson.
That will certainly feel like a Premier League trophy to Everton fans, even if they haven’t had the feeling of comparing it for quite some time.
