‘Assume responsibility’ – Rafa Benitez’s big message for Everton manager Frank Lampard in relegation dogfight
Former Everton boss Rafa Benitez has urged the current manager Frank Lampard to ‘assume responsibility’ amid the Premier League’s ongoing relegation dogfight.
The Merseyside club sacked the former Real Madrid manager back in January earlier this year, after just six-and-a-half months in charge.
At that time, the Toffees had won just once in the Premier League since September and were 15th in the table, six points above the relegation zone.
Benitez, while talking to Spanish Daily AS, stated that it is time for the current manager to take responsibility.
“Once we left, Everton made five new signings, got all the players back and had a new manager, who had to assume his responsibility,” he said.
The Spaniard also opened up about his departure from the club while citing social media influence as one of the reasons why he was shown the door.
“It was a decision with a certain logic at the time, but seems I was wrong. But I don’t see it that way. At that moment, Everton was a competitive team, we thought it would work. But when we left we were six points behind tenth, with two games less, and six points above relegation,” he said.
“It was a bad position for what was expected, but consistent and realistic with the investment and injuries. From there, we talk about patience, trust, but people get nervous, social media influences things and a decision is made.”
Work cut out
Everton have got their work cut out as they look to avoid relegation in their two final league games — against 13th-placed Crystal Palace at home and against Champions League hopeful Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The club’s fortunes have not changed much since Frank Lampard took charge of the team after Benitez’s departure the Liverpool-based club find themselves in a precarious situation with just two points from safety ahead clear of the relegation zone and a point above 17th-placed Leeds United.
The Toffees fans would be disappointed after seeing their team make a mess of things against Brentford at home where despite leading 2-1 at the half-time, the Blues suffered a 3-2 defeat.
If Everton suffer relegation, it will be the first time in more than seven decades that they will not play in England’s top-flight football.
They suffered relegation in the 1950-51 season and their consistent run in the top-flight is only bettered by Arsenal, who have been playing at highest level of English football since the 1919-20 campaign.
In other Everton news, Sean Dyche has lifted the lid on a private talk with Lampard after he insulted the Blues.
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