Former Everton first-team coach Ashley Cole has questioned whether Frank Lampard and his coaching staff were at Goodison Park "at the wrong time".
The former Arsenal and Chelsea full-back was installed alongside the iconic England midfielder following his appointment on Merseyside. Following stints with Derby County and at Stamford Bridge, the 44-year-old was tasked with leading the Blues out of the relegation fight.
Despite securing Premier League survival last season, Everton were immediately in the battle again this campaign and after 11 months with just 12 wins, Lampard was relieved of his duties at Goodison Park in January after no win in 10 across all competitions.
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Cole labelled the Blues a "humongous" club and insists that his time in the dugout at a top flight club hasn't put him off aspirations of managing in the league where he made 385 appearances.
"I learnt a lot that I probably can't mention to you, to be honest," Cole said via the Daily Mail. "But I think it's put me in good stead. It's certainly not put me off.
"It's certainly made me very aware of how tough the job is and how tough managers have it, in terms of the Premier League.
"Frank would have had a lot of challenges that us, as coaches, weren't aware of and stuff that was above us. How he has to manage up and manage the staff around him, of course it's going to be difficult.
"Maybe it was a transitional period for the club, (so) it was always going to be hard. It's a humungous club. We wanted to do better for the club, but was it just that we were there at the wrong time?"
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