Frank Lampard has made his decision.
Former Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly is to stay on at Everton, with new boss Frank Lampard officially taking the reins of the Toffees today.
Kelly has been a long-time servant at Goodison Park, and despite suggestions Lampard would bring in a much-changed backroom team, the former Ireland international will be retained.
This comes as Duncan Ferguson will also remain at the club, with ex-Swansea City boss Paul Clement coming in as a first-team coach.
Meanwhile, Joe Edwards will link up with Everton, having worked with Lampard at Chelsea previously.
Alan Kelly to remain at Everton.
But from an Irish perspective at least, Kelly’s decision to stay on at the club comes at a time in which Everton require a reset of sorts.
The Toffees have struggled to find form this season since their promising start; and they are now flirting with a relegation battle.
As a result, former boss Rafael Benitez paid with his job for that wretched run of form.
And they will be hoping that Lampard’s arrival can instigate a strong second-half to the season; with Kelly set to be a part of those plans to bring an air of positivity back to blue half of Merseyside.
? | Duncan Ferguson and Alan Kelly will remain in their positions at Everton pic.twitter.com/fkuGCLZ2Cm
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 31, 2022
“I want to see a team that are confident in possession, that can control games with possession. And [we want to] be very exciting to watch at the top end of the pitch,” Lampard said as news of Kelly’s retention emerged.
“We need to be a team that’s very active… crossing and getting shots on goal and staying in the other half of the pitch. When you don’t have the ball, you must be aggressive.
“And management is not just the tactical side – it’s how you make the squad and individuals feel. I will try to be myself, very personable and close to the players; and set up a team to play good football and win games.”
Alan Kelly.
The 34-time Irish international was recently involved with Stephen Kenny’s Ireland set-up, but he left the fold just last year.
His exit, however, was shrouded in controversy, given the fall-out of the Wembley video-gate controversy; with unsubstantiated claims emerging at the time.
Alan Kelly statement: “Enough is enough” pic.twitter.com/PolHtvRFhR
— Goalkeeping Skills (@Keepingskills) November 21, 2020
Since then, he has been replaced by ex-Ireland international Dean Kiely, who has helped bring on some of Ireland’s brightest young goalkeeping talent in Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers.