Abdoulaye Doucoure slams Frank Lampard for ‘personal’ grudge at Everton

Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure has blasted former manager Frank Lampard, opening up on their bust-up shortly before the Chelsea legend was sacked.

Doucoure had been a key player for Everton since joining them from Watford in 2020, but found himself on the verge of leaving Goodison Park last season after falling out of favour with Lampard.

Lampard’s Personal Grudge

The midfielder failed to start a game under the manager after the opening day and it was reported that the pair had to be separated following a defeat to Southampton in January.

‘It was hard because it was the first time in my career that I didn’t play as much as I want, especially for reasons I don’t know,’ Doucoure told The Athletic.

‘I was one of the fittest players in the team and someone who always gave everything, so to not be able to help the team in bad moments when we were losing many games in a row was so hard.

‘It was impossible to not play for a year, but I think with him [Lampard] that was the plan. Even if I was training well and fresh, I don’t think he’d put me in the team. It was like he had something personal against me.’

Lampard’s Sacking

Just a week after their bust-up, Lampard was sacked with the Toffees 19th in the table and replaced by Sean Dyche, who instantly restored Doucoure to the starting XI.

Results quickly improved, with the 30-year-old scoring five and assisting two in the final 13 games, including the winning goal against Bournemouth on the final day that ensured Everton’s survival.

Doucoure’s Contract Renewal

In that time, the Mali international had his contract renewed for another year, but he has now admitted he would have departed the club in January had Lampard remained in charge.

‘If the previous manager had stayed a few weeks more, I would have been gone,’ Doucoure added.

‘I knew if the club changed manager, I would get a chance again. So I had to keep my head down, waiting for my chance and it worked well. I was happy to be the one to score the goal to help the team stay up.’

Conclusion

It was a long season with low and high moments. For me personally, it was a challenge but it helped me to grow and achieve more success. Since the new manager came in, there was a lot of hard work from everyone and we deserved to stay up. I was very close [to leaving] but was happy to stay and help Everton.

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