FRANK LAMPARD knew the game was up at Everton – moments after the final whistle against West Ham.
And SunSport can reveal the ex-Chelsea and England legend said a number of farewells to his backroom staff before leaving the London Stadium.
An “emotional” Lampard admitted he knew what was heading his way – and his sacking was confirmed on Monday, less than a year after taking the Toffees job.
A source close to the club said: “Frank knew that if he didn’t get a response from the players in the West Ham game it was all over. And he didn’t.
"That’s why afterwards he said his goodbyes, privately, to members of his backroom team.
"It was very emotional because Frank isn’t daft. He knew the stakes were high and had a fair idea about what was coming.
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"He did his very best for the club and he’s devastated to have come up short.
"But despite that, he’s determined to come back and prove he is a top-class manager."
We revealed on Saturday how Lampard feared the game against West Ham was “make or break” for his future as Everton boss.
Sources inside the struggling Merseyside club had told how a defeat and a poor performance at the London Stadium would see him axed – and so it proved.
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On top of that, morale among the players is thought to have been rocked by the lack of any signings in January.
Our source said: “The game against West Ham is make or break.
"The two recent performances against Southampton, and particularly against Brighton, mean Lampard is on borrowed time.
"A third performance like that and it will most likely be curtains for him.
“There’s a really low feeling around the club at the moment as it’s obvious they need reinforcements, but there’s hardly been any activity.
“There is a feeling that perhaps the club is waiting to see if they will be bringing in a new manager before the end of January, and that’s why Lampard hasn’t been given the chance to freshen things up.
"There is also the Financial Fair Play situation but it’s a mess.”
Danny Ings, the former Aston Villa striker is one player Lampard apparently wanted.
But Everton were only able to offer a loan deal despite Ings being interested in a permanent transfer due to the fact he was attracted by the idea of a return to the north-west.
BAD FEELING AT GOODISON
Our source added: “That summed it all up.
“Ings would have been tailor-made for Everton and apparently he was keen to join. And even with the Liverpool connection fans would have welcomed him with open arms.
"He would have got goals that could have helped the club move up the table.
"Now he’s going to be lining up for a relegation rival.”
We also exclusively reported last week how Everton are bracing themselves for the exit of Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the end of the season.
The England hitman is wanted by Newcastle – who may even have moved in for him in January if it wasn’t for the player’s injury problems.
A source said: “Calvert-Lewin is at right at the top of the list of targets Newcastle have. They were interested in him last summer and that interest remains.
"They think he could be a striker that could help take them to the next level both in the league and in Europe.
“The only reason they didn’t move in January is because Dominic is struggling with injuries.
"Due to where Newcastle are in their season, riding high in the league and in a League Cup semi-final, they need additions who can hit the ground running.”
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SunSports understands Lampard told Everton’s board before he was dismissed he needed to keep his trio of top stars – Jordan Pickford, Anthony Gordon and Calvert-Lewin – if they are to have any hope of surviving against relegation.
But all three will follow Lampard out of the Goodison exit door and leave if Everton do go down.
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