Rafael Benitez's move to Everton was always doomed to fail.
A huge proportion of the supporters didn't want him to be appointed due to his Liverpool links, while his negative brand of football wasn't exactly going to win over the fan base too quickly. It was always likely that the first run of poor results would see him lose his job, with the only surprise being that it didn't come sooner after a run of nine losses in 13 league games.
In saying that, it's not as if Everton improved dramatically after his departure. Sitting six points above the relegation zone with games in hand at the time of his departure, the club would eventually dip into the bottom three.
They look like favourites to stay up as things stand, although things could get nervy if they fail to beat Crystal Palace later tonight.
Speaking to AS, Rafael Benitez said he regrets the way things went at Everton. He also threw a subtle dig at the man that replaced him, reminding everyone that the club were in a better position prior to Frank Lampard's appointment.
You decide to sign for Everton, in your city, with many friends we have from Everton, where you are entering a project that you think can grow and compete, it was a decision with a certain logic at the time.
At least as the scenario was at the time. But then it got complicated and it seems that I was wrong. But I don't see it that way. At that moment, Everton was the competitive team that offered me the option.
We thought it would work. Then the circumstances are given as they are. But when we left we were six points off tenth, with two games less (played), and six points above relegation. It was a bad position for what was expected, but consistent and realistic with the investment and injuries.
From there, we talk about patience, trust, but people get nervous, social networks influence and a decision is made. Once we left the club, Everton made five new signings, got all the players back and had a new manager, who had to assume his responsibility.
We did well at the beginning, we were a bit unlucky later and we didn't have time to keep doing things and adjust.
Lampard has had a very mixed spell at Goodison Park, although he will be hoping that he can build the squad in his image should they avoid relegation at the end of the campaign.
If they were to go down, all bets are off as to what comes next for Everton.
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