The Mail claim Frank Lampard banished Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure from first-team training at Finch Farm in his final week as Toffees boss – before the club decided to sack Lampard, after his side’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham.
Lampard was given his marching orders by the club’s under-fire hierarchy on Monday. It came after David Moyes’ West Ham beat Everton 2-0 on Saturday, with Jarrod Bowen scoring a brace. Lampard’s third stint as a boss ends in failure.
While many are of the opinion that the blame firmly lies with the likes of Farhad Moshiri, it is difficult to look past his form as Everton boss. The managers linked with replacing him include Sean Dyche, Marcelo Bielsa and other bosses.
The Mail report that in his final week as manager, Lampard and Doucoure had a disagreement. It comes after the 2-1 loss to the Saints, in which Lampard and £120k-a-week star Doucoure had an argument in the Everton dressing room.
Doucoure refused to let it lie, and it saw Lampard force him to train by himself away from the squad. Not even with the 21’s. The ex-Watford man was missing from Saturday’s squad that lost to West Ham. He has six months left on his deal.
Lampard banished Everton midfielder Doucoure from first-team training
Doucoure, 30, has been in and out of the Everton side. The Toffees midfielder has only managed 12 appearances this season, starting just two Premier League games. Against Southampton, Doucoure remained an unused substitute.
So, it was not a big loss for Lampard to leave Doucoure out of his side at West Ham. But, the Mali star does have plenty of quality. It is up in the air if Doucoure will work his way back into the side under a new boss – in the coming games.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
