Everton have sacked Rafael Benitez after just six months in charge

The club’s management decided on Sunday to terminate the contract with the Spaniard, who has led the team since the summer of 2021 – only 22 matches. It was announced by the press service of the Toffees on the official website.

The team from Liverpool’s blue half is really having bad times and has dropped to 15th place in the English Premier League. In October Everton were in a respectable fifth place, and then began a deadly series: 13 matches, only 1 win, 3 draws, 9 defeats, goal difference 12:27. During this period, there is no team in the PL worse than Everton (yes, even Watford and Newcastle are better).

A new setback in the downfall was a defeat to Norwich City (1:2), the absolute outsider of the league from the last place. The Canaries hadn’t scored in the EPL since December 1, and in that encounter took a 2-0 lead already by the 18th minute.

After that, a lot of rumors swirled around the socials that this would be the last straw and the experienced Spaniard, who once won the Champions League with Liverpool, would not be given a second chance. 

To get the whole picture: the Toffees managed to get only one victory in the last 13 games in the league. Everton’s directors had to act – and the result was the sacking of Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard’s contract with the club was until June 2024.

From the beginning, fans disliked the specialist who once coached their arch-rival

On his personal website, the 61-year-old specialist explained why he thinks things have come to this point:

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, and that it was a big challenge, both emotionally and in terms of sport. My love for this city, for Merseyside and its people, made me accept this challenge, but it is only when you are inside that you realise the magnitude of the task. From the very first day, my staff and myself worked as we always do, with commitment and full dedication, we didn’t only have to get results, but we also had to win over people’s hearts. However, the financial situation and then the injuries that followed made things even harder. I am convinced that we would have been better once the injured players were back and with the arrival of the new signings. The road to success isn’t easy and sadly, nowadays in football there is a search for immediate results and there is always less and less patience; unfortunately circumstances have determined the results and it won’t be possible to continue this project.”

“In any case, thank you to the Board, to the staff, to the players, and to those fans who have supported us during this time. My best wishes for EFC”

The Spaniard said his goodbyes to everyone.

The club will soon announce the name of Benitez’s replacement, but in the meantime the interim coach will be Duncan Ferguson.

It became known that the management of Everton offered Roma coach Jose Mourinho to take over the team amid his failures at Roma from Serie A. According to insider information, the Portuguese specialist turned down the offer of the Toffees.

Alternatives being considered include Derby County’s Wayne Rooney, former Chelsea coach Frank Lampard, Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter, Belgian national team manager Roberto Martinez and former Roma coach Rudi Garcia. 

Everton’s next fixtures:

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