Everton appoint Rafa Benitez as their new manager

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Rafa Benitez has been named Everton manager in an appointment labelled ‘The greatest gamble in the history of Merseyside football.’

The club has announced Benitez has signed a three-year deal and that he will start work with the squad when they return for pre-season training next week.

Benitez takes over at Goodison Park from Carlo Ancelotti who unexpectedly returned to former club, Real Madrid, five weeks ago.

Nuno Espirito Santo, David Moyes and Christophe Galtier were amongst the candidates considered for the job, but after numerous positive talks with the board, a decision was made to appoint Benitez. On joining the club, Benitez said:

“I am delighted to be joining Everton.

“I believe the club is going places and I’m determined to play a big part in helping this great club achieve its ambitions.”

Benitez’s winning pedigree set him aside in the eyes of Everton owner, Farhad Moshiri, who ignored protests from sections of Everton supporters.

Despite the protests, Moshiri, along with the support of Alisher Usmanov, chose to go against the fans and instead with their ‘blind faith’ of appointing a ‘top manager.’

Benitez, 61, has won trophies in almost all of his managerial roles, with his biggest honour being leading Everton’s rivals, Liverpool to Champions League success in 2005.

The Spaniard’s reputation was the factor that ranked him so highly on Moshiri’s list, and the Everton owner believes the appointment of Benitez will bring success to the club.

“We are apointing Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our club and to Evertonians. Rafa is a proven winner with huge experience- we have secured the best man to achieve this for us.”

In his latest management role though, things didn’t go to plan both on the pitch and off. In charge of the Chinese Super League club, Dalian Professional FC, Benitez left with a 31% win ratio after a year-and-a-half in charge.

The Spaniard departed the club by mutual consent in January 2021, over concerns of his family’s health during the Covid-19 pandemic and since, has been out of a job.

Now at Everton, Benitez’s first outing as manager will be against Colombian side, Millionarios FC in the semi-final of the Florida Cup. Depending on the result, Everton will then play either Arsenal or Inter Milan in a final or third-place match.

Benitez will take the Blues to Old Trafford to face Manchester United a week before his first Premier League match as Everton take on Southampton at Goodison Park.

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