TalkSport pundit Alan Brazil has claimed some Liverpool fans would be disgusted if ex-Reds manager Rafa Benitez was to be appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor at Goodison Park.
The comments come after reports on Thursday suggested Everton could be tempted into making an approach for the Spanish manager, who last had a stint in the Premier League with Newcastle United.
Benitez managed Liverpool from 2004 all the way through to the summer of 2010, having had a ‘fractious relationship‘ with Liverpool’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Speaking on TalkSport, Brazil said the following on the situation:
“He’s a winner. He knows what he’s doing. He can handle big-time players. I think Everton need a shake-up, I really do, with the money they’ve spent they’ve underachieved, so they need someone big and Rafa fits that bill.
“But, Rafa is loved by the Liverpool fans, and that will play a big part in him saying yes or no, a massive part.
“Because he had great times at Liverpool, could he do that to the fans? Because some diehards there will be disgusted about this.”
TIF Thoughts on Rafa Benitez potentially taking the Everton job…
Rivalries aside, Benitez could be a fantastic appointment for Everton as they look to break into Europe after a disappointing end to the campaign saw them finish with no European football at Goodison Park once more.
Benitez has accumulated great experience during his managerial career, winning the UEFA Cup and La Liga with Valencia, before joining Liverpool and winning the Champions League after a dramatic final against AC Milan in 2005.
However, for someone who is so deeply adored by many Liverpool fans, it could harm the relationship, something which may prove not to be worth it in the eyes of Benitez.
For Everton, though, it could be a great way to find stability after numerous managers in recent years, and with the latest drama unfolding around Ancelotti, Everton and their fans will surely want to get back to talking about football sooner rather than later.