Farhad Moshiri sent Rafa Benitez Liverpool warning as Everton urged to do u-turn on boss
Carlo Ancelotti leaves Everton for Real Madrid
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has been warned that appointing Rafa Benitez as manager would spark an almighty backlash from Toffees fans. Moshiri is leading the search for a new Everton manager following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure and has been linked with former Liverpool boss Benitez in recent weeks.
The Toffees have reportedly held discussions with Benitez and his representatives after negotiations with former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo broke down.
TalkSPORT even reported that Benitez was ‘on the verge’ of being appointed as Ancelotti’s successor last week.
The Spaniard managed Everton’s bitter rivals Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, leading them to their famous Champions League triumph in 2005, as well as winning the FA Cup with the club.
He angered Everton’s fans by labelling them a “small club” but Moshiri was reportedly confident the 61-year-old manager could win over fans.
That is not the case, according to former Liverpool striker John Aldridge, who has warned against the appointment.
JUST IN: Man Utd’s key transfer target no better than current star says Butt
“Everton are flirting with the idea of appointing Rafael Benitez as their new manager, and my advice to them could not be clearer – don’t do it,” he wrote for the Sunday World.
“The prospect of a former Liverpool manager taking over at Goodison Park will send a shiver down the spine of many Evertonians, and some of my blue nose friends are not happy about it.
“I saw former Everton keeper Neville Southall saying their fans will never accept Benitez as manager and I think he’s spot on.
“Rafa will always be a Red and even though he has made Liverpool his home and I’m sure he would love the Everton job, he is not the right fit for them.”
Benitez is without a job after his spell in charge of Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional came to an end in January, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Spaniard lives on Merseyside and is hugely experienced, having taken charge of Liverpool, Inter Milan, Valencia, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Napoli.
Everton fans have reacted badly to reports of Benitez’s arrival as manager, putting up banners in protest at Goodison Park.
According to TalkSPORT, those protests have had their intended impact, with Everton now backing out of talks with Benitez, which is the right move, according to Southall.
“I think Rafa Benitez is a good manager. Is he right for Everton? No. Not a chance,” said Southall.
“Punters won’t wear it. He’s Liverpool. They won’t have it. He’s going to have to produce something special.
“I would rather have Duncan [Ferguson]. We are never going to get relegated, he’s a good manager, he’s far too underrated.”
Source: Read Full Article