When a football team is struggling, the expression “the manager has lost the dressing room” is frequently used. Fans can tell when players aren’t giving it their all on the pitch or just aren’t performing to the best of their abilities, even though both sides will always contest this.
There are several possible explanations for this. It’s possible that players disagree with their manager’s strategies. Some members of the team may feel dissatisfied since the coach may have other preferences. Or there can be a confrontation so severe that there is no way to mend the relationship between the players on the pitch and the people on the touchline.
Abdoulaye Doucoure, a midfielder for Everton, is one example where it seems all three of those explanations could have applied. The midfielder, who was born in France, has played 266 games for Watford and the Toffees in the Premier League, giving him a wealth of experience. Even though his portfolio was so excellent, he said that one boss treated him disrespectfully after making him train alone and denying him an opportunity to establish his value.
Doucoure Details Frank Lampard ‘Disrespect’
The midfielder struggled to make an impact under the Chelsea legend
Doucoure is a diligent, tough-tackling, and occasionally even forward-thinking midfield player. One would think that a manager would turn to him in times of need. It would appear that the Mali international would inevitably play a prominent role given his expertise and comprehension of how to succeed in the top division.
But with Frank Lampard, that was not the case. Despite being one of the greatest players in the Premier League, the Chelsea legend has drawn a lot of criticism for his coaching positions at Goodison Park and Stamford Bridge. In a conversation with The Overlap, Doucoure talked about his relationship with the former midfield player and the reasons he felt devalued after not being given a fair chance:
“The only person who didn’t have much faith in me was Frank Lampard. Since I’m a diligent person, I honestly believe he made a mistake with me. I’m a rather modest individual. I put a lot of effort into my training. I’ve never challenged a manager’s decision, but I believe he was unfair to me, even if it’s evident that sometimes you have to be fair.
“I didn’t communicate with him at all. I never asked him why I wasn’t playing when I went to visit him. They advised me to either train alone or with the under-21s. Fortunately, it didn’t last long because he was fired a week later. The following week, I returned to the squad, we were defeating Arsenal, and I was on the verge of winning player of the match.
“He disrespected me — Everton was a big lesson, and he learnt from that!” 😬
Abdoulaye Doucoure on his time working under Frank Lampard 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/tz8vAno1lz
— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) February 10, 2025
In the immediate aftermath of Lampard’s dismissal in 2023, Doucoure told The Athletic that he couldn’t understand why Lampard had such a problem with him and that he thought the legendary midfielder had a personal issue with the former Watford star. His feelings haven’t changed since then.
Doucoure Record Under Managers Since Lampard
The 32-year-old has risen to prominence again on Merseyside
Lampard’s firing gave him a new lease on life at Goodison Park, which he has subsequently capitalised on, as Doucoure hinted in his interview with The Overlap.
That’s all the statistics indicate. The 32-year-old made just 28 appearances under Lampard and did not score or provide an assist. His final nine Premier League appearances under the manager came from the substitutes’ bench, despite having a stint in the starting lineup early in the Englishman’s reign.
The contrast between that and his tenure under Sean Dyche is striking. Doucoure made 68 appearances under the previous Burnley manager, contributing 13 goals and five assists. Only Dwight McNeil was able to contribute more goals overall during the 53-year-old’s reign, making him the Toffees’ top scorer.
Doucoure has been a mainstay in the little period David Moyes has returned to Everton, starting each of the Scotsman’s five games as manager.
Double Everton’s statistics under Lampard, Moyes, and Dyche
Statistics
Lampard
Dyche
Moyes
Games (Initial)
28 (17)
68 (65)
Five (5)
Minutes
1654
5496
406
Minutes for every 90
59.07
80.82
81.2
Objectives
0
13.
One
Helps
0
5.
0
Red/Yellow Cards
4/0
13/1
1/0
