Steven Pienaar has branded Everton's season a 'failure', amid speculation he could leave the club.
South Africa international unhappy with campaign at Goodison
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has branded the Toffees' season a 'failure', amid speculation he could leave the club.
The South African star has not agreed a new deal to stay at Goodison Park with only 12 months left to run on his current contract, and rumours have suggested he could be on his way out of Merseyside.
Everton did have a poor start to the campaign after an injury crisis, but they rallied in the second-half of the season and fought back to finish eighth in the Premier League.
However, the 28-year-old insists it was a failure and points to the opening day defeat to Arsenal at home as the lowest point.
"I think it's been a failure," Pienaar said.
Suffered
"We didn't start fresh at the beginning of the season due to injury problems and we suffered from that throughout the season.
"The beginning of the season was the lowest (point), especially when we lost 6-1 against Arsenal.
"At the end we didn't qualify for Europe and that's why I reckon this year has to be considered as a failure."
Pienaar is set to play for South Africa this summer, as they host the World Cup - the first time the competition has been staged on African soil.
The hosts have been drawn in Group A alongside 2006 finalists France, as well as Uruguay and Mexico.
