Jagielka understands criticism of the side, but is adamant the margins between a successful and depressing season were small.

“It is easy to say it has been a season of underachievement but we have had two great cup runs,” he said. “Our league form hasn’t been as good as it is should have been, but things haven’t been as bad as people have made out. Football is a results business and, unfortunately for us in the league, it is not what we have wanted.

“The results cost the manager the job. It is as simple as that. It was very hard for the manager to stay in charge.”

If things are moving on the field, there are also changes afoot off it. The impact of Farhad Moshiri’s investment is starting to be felt, not only with the dismissal of Roberto Martínez but the abandonment of proposed stadium plans at Walton Hall Park, near Goodison.