Everton are yet to appoint a permanent manager at Goodison Park following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas told BT Sport on Thursday night that Everton had hit “a new low” after losing 5-1 to Italian outfit Atalanta in the Europa League.
Despite having home advantage and fielding a strong side that included the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ashley Williams and Michael Keane, Everton were battered and bruised by the Serie A outfit throughout.
In what was a meaningless match in terms of their chances of qualification from the Europa League, interim manager David Unsworth will be feeling the effects of the loss as he is unlikely to be given the full-time role after such a heavy defeat.
Speaking after the match on BT Sport, Jenas claimed 44-year-old Unsworth should take blame for the defeat and even questioned the fitness of the Everton players.
“I think it hit a new low because they had taken steps in the right direction,” Jenas said. “I felt they did give up in the second half, and David Unsworth has to take some responsibility for that as well.
“There were too many goals where you could just tear them apart. From set-pieces, they had had a warning before this, but they struggled to deal with that for the whole game. Too many one-on-one situations where Everton were not at it.
“Whether that is down to the fitness of the players, the sharpness or even the belief of themselves I’m not sure. One thing that is clear is that they are lacking confidence, there are gaps all over the place, a new low.”
Unsworth is likely to remain in charge for Sunday’s trip to the south coast as Everton’s hierarchy desperately look to appoint a new manager, with Southampton the opponents.
The Merseyside club will be hoping they can put their Europa League disappointment behind them and make it three Premier League games unbeaten, after beating Watford and drawing against Crystal Palace.
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