Phil McNulty jokes about how Leeds United fans will welcome Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard cannot expect the same warm reception he had at Goodison Park when Leeds United visit, according to Phil McNulty.
The newly-installed Everton manager is set to welcome Marcelo Bielsa’s side to Merseyside next weekend in the Premier League for the former Chelsea boss’ first meeting with Whites fans since his controversial clashes at Derby.
He faced United while in charge at Stamford Bridge but due to the Covid-19 pandemic did not do so with Leeds fans present, as only 2,000 Chelsea supporters present for one fixture in West London.
Lampard’s Derby side knocked Leeds out of the Championship playoffs the last time he came up against a full house, after which the victorious manager was seen celebrating in the dressing rooms and ironically signing the “Stop crying Frank Lampard” song that had been directed towards him that season.
BBC Chief Football Writer McNulty thinks the visiting fans will remember this and make Goodison much less hospitable than for his Toffees debut against Brentford.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, in a thread on his story from that FA Cup tie, he responded to a point about Leeds fans by saying sarcastically: “Surely they will recall with great fondness his good-humoured rendition of “Stop Crying Frank Lampard”?”.
Warm welcome
The ex-England international has been enjoying his time at Goodison so far, with the support from the fans virtually universal.
He has got off to a good start and has proven to be additionally popular for all the reasons he is different to Rafael Benitez.
But Whites supporters will remember the fallout from the ‘Spygate’ situation three years ago, where the Argentinian manager was found to have been sending staff to watch opponents’ training after one was caught at the Derby facility.
Lampard said at the time that he felt “on a sporting level, it’s bad, in my opinion” (Guardian) and Bielsa accepted his punishment.
But United fans revelled in rubbing the opposing manager’s face in it as they picked up wins over him that season until his Derby side came back from a first-leg deficit to reach the Playoff Final.
The song has lingered around ever since, as Jack Harrison who played with the Everton manager in New York had to deny he was signing it when Bielsa subsequently lead the Whites to the Premier League (Daily Mail).
It is sure to be heard at Goodison Park next weekend.
In other Leeds United news, this player asked to leave Elland Road in January.