Aston Villa left back Lucas Digne has criticized Rafa Benitez for his “bad philosophy” during his time at Everton.
The Spanish manager was chosen to replace Carlo Ancelotti who left to coach Real Madrid, but his time at the Toffees did little to boost his coaching CV. In fact, between October and January, Everton won just one match in the league as they got sucked into the relegation battle.
Benitez reportedly had a falling out with the Frenchman, naming him on the bench on several occasions which culminated in him being sold to Aston Villa in the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old has taken time to talk on his final days at Everton and took the opportunity to slam Benitez.
“”The relationship we had was not good. It was complicated to be excluded from the group for a month. It was an unprecedented situation in my career. But I had my family and my team-mates with me,”” he told L’Equipe.
“”I continued to work on the side, to be behind my friends. I have never refused to play. It was a way for him to protect himself. I never asked for that. People who know me at the club know that everything was going very well.
“”I thought we had a team that could have a lot more possession, which we had the quality for. He asked me the question, I gave him my answer. I know my place. I felt legitimate to give him my feelings and those of the other players in the locker room.
“”The group was unanimous. The final outcome proved me right, since he was fired because of the poor results. I think he also had a bad philosophy. He didn’t fit at Everton.””
