Former Everton boss Rafa Benitez has explained why he chose to join the club at the start of the season and says he wasn't afforded the time to turn things around when injuries took their toll.
The Spaniard's appointment was met with apprehension given he'd previously managed rivals Liverpool. After a positive start to the campaign things took a turn and he was eventually relieved of his duties in January of this year.
Frank Lampard arrived in his place and the former Chelsea and England international has been tasked with guiding the club to safety and maintaining their top flight status. Everton are currently two points clear of the relegation zone with two games to go (Crystal Palace and Arsenal).
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Benitez doesn't regret his decision to join Everton and says he saw the project at Goodison Park as one that could 'grow and compete', but he admitted he wasn't afforded enough time to turn things around when the team was met with various challenges.
He said in an interview with Spanish outlet AS : "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, 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."
