Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has spoken out about his difficult relationship with former manager Frank Lampard, claiming the Englishman mishandled him during his tenure at Goodison Park.
The Chelsea legend, who managed Everton for just under a year before his dismissal in January 2023, sidelined Doucoure towards the end of his reign.
Doucoure was excluded from the squad for Lampard’s final two matches and was even ordered to train with the under-21s or alone.
Reflecting on the experience, Doucoure told The Overlap:
“Frank Lampard was the only one that didn’t trust me a lot, and I think he made a mistake with me, to be honest, because I’m a hardworking guy.
I’m a very humble person. I work hard in training. Obviously, a manager can make a choice, and I respect that. But sometimes, you have to be fair, and I think he was not fair with me.”
The 32-year-old midfielder emphasized that he never confronted Lampard about his exclusion but was disappointed by the lack of communication:
“He didn’t talk. There was no communication between me and him.
I never went to ask, ‘Why am I not playing?’ But then they told me I had to train with the under-21s or alone. I said, ‘Look, I’ll train alone because I know how to take care of myself.’”
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Doucoure’s Redemption Under Dyche
Lampard’s departure came shortly after Doucoure’s exile, and the midfielder was swiftly reinstated under new manager Sean Dyche.
In Dyche’s first game in charge, Everton secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Arsenal, with Doucoure delivering a standout performance.
From that point, he became an integral part of Everton’s survival push, playing in 15 of the final 18 Premier League matches and famously scoring the decisive goal that ensured Everton’s top-flight status on the final day of the season.
Lampard’s Short-Lived Stint and Career Moves
Lampard’s time at Everton ended with a dismal record—just 12 wins in 44 matches across all competitions. After leaving Goodison Park, he briefly returned to Chelsea as a caretaker manager before taking charge of Coventry City in November 2024 on a deal running until 2027.
Doucoure, reflecting on Lampard’s managerial career, said:
“As a player, he was fantastic—everyone knows that. But as a manager at Everton, it was a big lesson for him, and I think he learned from it.”
Doucoure’s Impact at Everton
Since joining the Toffees in 2020, Doucoure has made 154 appearances, scoring 19 goals. Despite the challenges under Lampard, his resilience and contributions have cemented his status as a key figure in Everton’s midfield.
This candid revelation sheds light on the struggles and tensions behind the scenes during Everton’s turbulent period under Lampard, highlighting Doucoure’s determination to prove his worth despite managerial setbacks.
