Rafael Benitez has been sacked by Everton, as the experiment that involved employing a former Liverpool manager sinks before it really left the dock. The decision comes following a 2-1 defeat to basement club Norwich City, which leaves the club on a run of one win in 11 Premier League games.
Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as first team manager.
— Everton (@Everton) January 16, 2022
Benitez see’s his second spell on Merseyside, all be it the blue side, last just seven months, as the Spaniard failed to truly win over Evertonian’s, with his past and lack of form being the final straw for all involved.
The ever-questioned appointment appeared doomed from the start, but a good start to this league season left hope that things would blossom. Instead, the man who once described Everton as a “small club” failed to pick up much more as the team suffered numerous injuries.
Benitez failed to fill the shoes of big name Carlo Ancelotti, who himself never took the club to big heights, but kept a hold of the clubs fans. Everton itself, now sits in limbo, having attempted to pluck several big names in the hope of reaching elite European competition, but falling a good distant short on every occasion.
So, what now?
The Toffee’s are back to the drawing board, with not the usual plethora of big names for owner Farhad Moshiri to target.
It has been reported that the clubs hierarchy do still have affection for current Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, despite some protests at the end of his first spell at Goodison Park. It is unlikely that Martinez can be prised away from his International role at this time, with World Cup in less than 12 months.
Other options include Wayne Rooney, former academy graduate who is doing a stellar job at financial stricken Derby County in the Championship. Frank Lampard is a name that will constantly come up, with a solid record at Chelsea, despite not bringing in silverware.
It look’s likely that Moshiri will target a manager within England, rather than going abroad, with Graham Potter at the top of his list and Rooney following close by.
With Benitez gone, Everton enter they’re never ending cycle, trying to find the one manager to take them to the promise land.