Everton agree shock deal for former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager, with owner Farhad Moshiri ignoring an angry backlash from fans to appoint the Spaniard on a three-year contract
- Everton have confirmed the appointment of Rafa Benitez as their new manager
- Benitez replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who left for Real Madrid at the start of June
- The Spaniard managed Everton’s rivals Liverpool between 2004 and 2010
- Fans hung banners in protest against Benitez’s appointment outside Goodison
- Owner Farhad Moshiri has ignored their concerns and handed Benitez the job
Rafa Benitez is the new manager of Everton after agreeing a three-year deal.
It is a historic appointment by Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major shareholder, as Benitez becomes the first man to have managed both Liverpool and Everton since William Edward Barclay in the 1890s.
The Spaniard, 61, has had numerous meetings with Moshiri, including one in Italy last week, and has now finalised a deal to become Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
Everton have officially confirmed the appointment of Rafa Benitez as their new manager
Benitez managed Liverpool between 2004 and 2010 and won the Champions League in 2005
Frustrated Everton fans hung anti-Benitez banners outside Goodison Park earlier this month
There has been no official announcement by the club but that will happen on Wednesday.
Benitez, a manager who has won the Champions League and the Europa League, has been working in the background since he first spoke to the Iranian billionaire three weeks ago.
He will be joined by his long-time ally, Paco de Miguel, who will become Everton’s fitness coach.
The appointment is a controversial move from Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri
Benitez has always tended to appoint assistant managers who had connections with a club — Sammy Lee worked with him at Liverpool, Bolo Zenden went in alongside him at Chelsea — and he intends to talk to Duncan Ferguson about staying on.
Ferguson worked alongside Ancelotti and was keen to be considered for the role of permanent manager, but instead Benitez becomes Moshiri’s fifth appointment in as many years.
Benitez won the Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time at Liverpool
Everton are hoping Benitez can make the club European contenders in the forthcoming season
It is a decision that will divide fans — there have already been negative banners — and not receive unanimous backing within the club.
Moshiri has taken charge of the recruitment process ahead of director of football Marcel Brands.
Benitez, for his part, is simply eager to get down to work.