Former Everton star Victor Anichebe has denied that he called for the club to sack manager Frank Lampard - despite claiming the Toffees would be relegated 'unless a change is made - saying he was referring to a change of tactics or mentality.
Lampard is under huge pressure after yet another defeat to Burnley on Monday night, with Everton facing a huge scrap to stay in the Premier League after a miserable season that has already seen Rafa Benitez axed by the club.
The former Chelsea boss was seen as someone who could lift the club, but the club have only won two league games since arriving in February. After the latest 2-1 loss to the Clarets, ex-striker Anichebe wrote on Instagram saying Everton would '100 per cent' go down if Everton did not make a change.
He said the decision to appoint Lampard was 'absurd', adding: 'The players aren't good enough but neither is Frank.' He also posted a picture of former boss Sam Allardyce with the words: 'I said it weeks ago... y'all laughed. Some said rather go down with dignity. Okkkkk.'
But now Anichebe has moved to clarify his comments , writing 'not once did I say sack him', while also stressing he uploaded the picture of Allardyce because he 'finds it funny'.
'I wasn't even gonna speak on this but I genuinely can't stand some media,' the 33-year-old wrote on his social media account.
'I didn't call for Lampard to be sacked. Also let's think about this for a moment... who the f*** am I to call for anyone to get sacked? I have no influence. Nor does my opinion matter.
'I posted the same Allardyce picture weeks ago as I find him funny because any team that's in trouble he gets linked to (those who follow me know this already).
'Anyway the reactions were funny so I posted it again.
'Then I said something needs to change... how does that mean Lamps should be sacked? Change of mentality, training change, change of style, I'm not a manager - how do I know? Not once did I say sack him!'