Frank Lampard is thought to be among the contenders for the vacant Everton job...

What's the word?

According to the Mirror, the 42-year-old is being considered as one of the names on a long shortlist to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park.

Earlier this week, Merseyside were stunned as the Italian forced a move to his former club, Real Madrid, leaving director of football Marcel Brands and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri looking for a new manager.

Lampard has been available ever since he was sacked by Chelsea at the end of January this year and the Toffees could face competition to land him as he's been linked to the vacancies at West Brom, Crystal Palace and Wolves.

Revolutionary appointment

An approach for the legendary Premier League midfielder turned coach would be a fresh change of approach from the Everton hierarchy.

They've gone for the tried-and-tested top-flight veteran in Sam Allardyce, and that failed. They've attempted the foreign approach with Marco Silva, and that failed. And their ambitious ploy over Ancelotti as evidently ended in tears.

Lampard simply doesn't get enough credit for the work he did at Chelsea, especially as he built the current squad that went onto clinch the Champions League trophy last week.

He deserves another crack at the big time.

Arguably, the biggest two key players at Stamford Bridge this season have been Thiago Silva and Mason Mount.

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The 42-year-old convinced the vastly-experienced centre-back to join on a free from Paris Saint-Germain, and he subsequently went onto record ten clean sheets in only 23 appearances, as per the Premier League's official website.

Meanwhile, the England international has emerged as one of the best midfielders across Europe right now, at just 22.

He owes Lampard a lot for his emergence and development too, having not only trusted him as an inexperienced prospect at Derby County but then making him a key piece of his Blues team despite having an array of talent at his disposal.

It's this sort of connection with the academy set-up that has long been lacking at Goodison Park and that's exactly how the ex-Chelsea man can revolutionise the club and continue Ancelotti's fine work.

Tammy Abraham and Reece James are merely two further examples of Lampard's impressive development skills.

It's no wonder he has received plenty of glowing endorsements since becoming a coach.

His former teammate and current Fulham boss Scott Parker dubbed him "unbelievable" and "incredible" whilst Peterborough United chairman told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he "would be a success" whatever team he ends up at.

There have been calls for the club to appoint Rafa Benitez, with former nemesis Jamie Carragher claiming the former Liverpool boss would be an "obvious candidate."

The Athletic also believe that the 61-year-old would be open to talks with the Everton board but they would risk uproar from all sections of Goodison Park here and he's been out of the English game for quite a while now.

Lampard would be a better choice and his candidacy should be strongly considered by Brands and co. He could be the man to revolutionise the club following Ancelotti's shock exit.

AND in other news, Everton could find their very own Bielsa in 62 y/o "professor",  he'd make fans buzzing...