Former Everton director of football Marcel Brands has opened up about his departure.

Brands recalls back in December 2021 when he left, his last gamer was a 4-1 loss.

A supporter then told the Dutchman to: “Get out of this club" while asking about the players: “Did you recruit them?"

At the time, he defended himself, staying “is it only the players (that are an issue)?"

This week, the PSV chief told Liverpool ECHO: “In the end it was clear. I was very happy at the club with all the people in the club.

“I think everyone knows that [Rafa] Benitez was not my choice. That was the big thing for me and I knew at that time he wants to sell Lucas Digne and he wants to sell Richarlison.

“Those decisions were absolutely not my choices. So I had to make that decision at that time and I don't regret it because I had a great time at Everton.

“If I should do it again then I should do it again because it's a great club with great fans. I'm still happy every time when Everton has a good result.

“There are still a lot of players who I had a good contact with like Andre Gomes, Seamus Coleman, Jarrad (Branthwaite) of course, and all the other ones. I still wish them all the best because as my chairman always said: 'Once a Blue, always a Blue' and I think that's true."