FRANK LAMPARD has been slammed by Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure who felt he was “disrespected” by his former boss.
Doucoure fell out of Lampard’s plans at the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, having initially featured prominently when Lampard first took charge.
The midfielder was dropped after starting the opening match of the season and did not start another Prem game until Lampard was sacked in January 2023.
Doucoure returned to the side under Sean Dyche and felt the impact he made proved Lampard made the wrong decision.
He criticised his former boss in an interview with The Overlap, saying: “He did not trust me. I really do not understand because this was my worst experience with the manager. Every manager started me, every manager trusted me.
“Frank Lampard was the only one who did not trust me and I think he made a mistake with me.
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“He was not fair with me. He left me on the bench for so many games and did not give me a chance. It upset me with him. There was no communication between me and him.
“He didn’t trust me and I think he made a mistake. I think I proved him wrong after that because under the new manager Sean Dyche I was the difference maker in the team.
“I think for him he was a great player, but as a manager with Everton it was a big lesson for him and I think he learned from that.”
Doucoure revealed his situation under Lampard meant he almost left the club, particularly after he was made to alone or with the Under-21s following a bust-up with Lampard.
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He continued: “Because of my relationship with him I was pushing away, I was nearly out of the club, because I can’t sit on the bench. I need to play.
“It was sad for me… he pushed me away, I was training with the U21s.
“After one home game there was a big argument between me and him and the day after they said I can’t stay with the team – he felt disrespected by me in front of the players. They said I had to train alone or with the U21s.
“I think he disrespected me a little bit. I was very close [to leaving]. I did not want it but the exit was very close. It was heartbreaking.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
