Seamus Coleman says the Everton players must “take responsibility” for the mess they find themselves in after admitting he was “hit hard” by the sacking of Frank Lampard.
New Toffees boss Sean Dyche takes charge of his first game against Arsenal on Saturday – live on talkSPORT – after becoming the Merseyside club’s EIGHTH different permanent manager in seven years.
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Sean Dyche was brought in to save Everton
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Everton stalwart Coleman said: “There’s no getting away from it, it’s been tough, it’s been tough.
“Overall, we all have to take responsibility.
“We’ve lost another manager and for me personally I’ve seen I don’t know how many managers now.
“You are not innocent of all this and you played a part in the sacking of another manager. As players, we also played a big part in this.
“It’s not just the case where you see one manager leaving and another arriving, it hits you hard.
“When a coach leaves, it’s a reflection of what we’ve done on the pitch and what I’ve done as captain as well.
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Coleman was sad to see Lampard go
“We wish Frank all the best. He gave his all to the football club and did a great job of keeping us fit last year.
“Now we have a new manager and we all have to do our best.
“This football club for the next 18 games is fighting for everything and we have to keep fighting. We have to find a way to get results.
Coleman says he was impressed with Dyche’s uncompromising approach during his first week’s workouts.
The Irishman added: “I am confident with the arrival of the new manager because he has proven that in the past and I hope he can do it again.
“He was tough, but he was fair and he was honest. He says it like it is.
“He didn’t make it in the Premier League for ten or eleven years without having something on him.
“It’s not just about making us wear shin guards and socks (in training) or running, there’s already a lot more to what he’s given us.
Dyche put the players through tough training sessions this week
“We’re still within reach of a lot of teams, so I’d like to turn all the negativity around thinking we can turn it around.
“I feel like a lot of talk is saying it’s inevitable and some people are sitting around, waiting and even hoping that Everton will fall.
“We know with the fanbase we have and with the quality in the dressing room that if we can come together, not thinking we’re too big to fall, we’ll give ourselves the best possible chance.”
Everton fans are planning further protests against the club’s owners ahead of the game, but captain Coleman insists they have a huge role to play in the fight for the team’s survival.
He said: “I live locally in Liverpool so when I’m out with the kids or whatever I see how moved the fans are and how much they care about the football club and how much they are worried.
“But without a shadow of a doubt, on a Saturday when they turn up at Goodison, they will support their team 100%.
“We need that support, but we have to give them something back.”
talkSPORT will bring you live radio commentary from Everton v Arsenal on Saturday, kick off at 12.30pm. Listen HERE via the website. You can also listen through the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
