Benitez was handed the reins at Goodison Park ahead of this season but was shown the exit door in January owing to a poor run of results in the Premier League that saw Everton tumble down the standings towards the drop zone.

 

The Toffees are firmly locked in a relegation battle at present with two games left to play this season, but one more win under Benitez’s successor Lampard will see them secure safety.

 

 

Everton only spent under £2m last summer, while they also have had to deal with injuries to key players this season, and Benitez insisted that he left the club in a position in the league consistent and realistic with the investment their hierarchy made in the squad and their injury situation.

 

Benitez added that Lampard has to assume responsibility for the relegation dogfight Everton find themselves in and stressed he did not get enough time to adapt and turn the fortunes around at Goodison Park.

 

 

“It [taking over at Everton] was a decision with a certain logic at the time… but it seems I was wrong”, Benitez told Spanish daily AS.

 

“But I don’t see it that way.

 

 

“At that moment, Everton were a competitive team, we thought it would work.

 

“But when we left we were six points behind tenth, with two games less, 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 media influences things and a decision is made.

 

“Once we left, 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.”

 

Everton are set to host Crystal Palace on Thursday, which will be followed by the season finale away at Arsenal on Sunday.