Richarlison cites main cause of Everton regression; names man who would guarantee Europe

Richarlison believes a failure to keep hold of former manager Carlo Ancelotti is a major reason for the current Everton slump.

Ancelotti, 62, spent 18 months in the Goodison Park hotseat after joining the club in December 2019. The Italian tactician guided the Merseysiders to 12th in 2019-2020 while they finished 10th last season. It was hoped that the former AC Milan chief would build a squad capable of challenging for honours.

But he left in the summer of 2021 to take charge of Real Madrid for a second time. Los Blancos are currently four points clear at the top of LaLiga in stark contract to Ancelotti’s previous side.

Everton are down in 16th spot in the Premier League table – just five points above the relegation zone. They now have Frank Lampard at the helm after the Rafa Benitez experiment failed miserably.

But former Fluminense ace Richarlison made it clear that he would have loved the much-travelled Ancelotti to remain.

“Look, we got a coach who fit in the team, which was Ancelotti, unfortunately he had to leave. He went to Real Madrid,” he told TNT Sports, via Sport Witness. “He was a guy who arrived here, he managed to fix the team. And he brought in James Rodriguez too, who helped a lot.

“And we almost got there. We were, if I’m not mistaken, 3 or 4 points from the Europa League. That was one of our goals.”

Ancelotti a guarantee of European football

Richarlison was a big-money acquisition from Watford in the summer of 2018. And the north-west outfit have certainly got their money’s worth from the Brazil forward.

Van de Beek buying into Frank Lampard's project at Everton

Donny van de Beek detailed the expectation Frank Lampard has put on him, and is clearly buying into the project at Everton

He has made 135 appearances in all competitions, scoring 47 goals. The South American is yet to play in Europe at his present club.

And he feels certain that Ancelotti would have eventually brought that to Everton.

“And for sure, if he stayed for this season, he’d ask for signings, we would reach the Champions or the Europa League,” he added. “Unfortunately he didn’t stay, he had to follow his path there to Real Madrid. Like it or not, it was a very good proposition for him. So, we keep working.”

Richarlison has made no secret of the fact he want to play in the Champions League. But he made no mention of leaving Everton to achieve that aim and wants European football at Goodison Park.

READ MORE: Frank Lampard gives Mikel Arteta and Edu insight into reported Arsenal transfer target