Everton have appointed former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard as their manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract, the Premier League club said on Monday as they look to secure their status as a top flight team.

Everton, who have been ever-present in the top flight for the last 68 years, sacked Rafa Benitez this month after a 2-1 defeat at Norwich City left the Merseyside club six points above the relegation zone.

“I’m very hungry to get started. After speaking to the owner, chairman and the board, I very much felt their passion and ambition. I hope they felt my ambition and how hard I want to work to bring it together,” Lampard said in a statement.

“I think Everton is a unique club in that you can really understand what the fans want to see.

The first thing they want is fight and desire and that must always be our baseline,” Lampard added.