Everton fans FUME with club set to appoint former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as new manager

Everton fans have expressed their anger with the club set to appoint former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as their new manager.  

Sportsmail understands the 61-year-old Spaniard is on the verge of becoming the first man in modern history to manage both Merseyside rivals and is set to sign his deal at Goodison Park this weekend.

Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri is convinced that Benitez is the best coach to take Everton into the Champions League and is ready to ignore the objections of some Evertonians who object to his appointment.

But that has not stopped them taking to Twitter to vent their frustrations at a manager who has gone down in Reds history after leading them to their famous 2005 Champions League win.

One fan wrote: ‘Honestly shocked by that decision! I’ll back him because it’s about Everton not Benitez but this could turn very toxic quickly.’

Everton supporters have already made their feelings on Benitez clear through homemade banners hung outside Goodison Park last week.

And some continued in that vein, with one adding: ‘@Everton F*** off rats. Rafa Benitez is not welcome!!’

Others appeared equally angry, with one posting: ‘Rafa Benitez is the most over-rated manager in football history, FACT!!!!’

Some supporters claimed Moshiri’s decision will set the club back, with one saying: ‘Rafa Benitez should not be anywhere near Everton in any capacity, never mind manager. 

‘Once this goes ahead the board are taking backward steps with the fans which will take years to restore.’

The appointment will mark a dramatic comeback for Benitez, who last managed in the Premier League with Newcastle in 2019 but will now succeed Carlo Ancelotti after he left to re-join Real Madrid at the beginning of the month.

But some fans have expressed their concerns that swapping the Italian for his Spanish counterpart is a significant downgrade in the managerial hotseat.

‘Going from Carlo Ancelotti to Rafa Benitez is like driving a Ferrari to work and then waking up with a donkey in your garage,’ one said. 

Another feared Benitez would not last long in the post, stating: ‘Everton are about to appoint a Rafa Benitez who has been relegated twice in recent years. 

‘This time next year we are just gonna be looking for another manager.’

Benitez has retained his family home in Merseyside throughout his managerial career since leaving Liverpool in 2010.

His most recent managerial post was with Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional, but he left that role in January by mutual consent, citing concerns over the health and wellbeing of his family due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Apart from winning the FA Cup and Champions League with Liverpool and La Liga twice and UEFA Cup with Valencia prior to that, he went on to win the World Club Cup with Internazionale, the Europa League with Chelsea, the Coppa Italia with Napoli and the Championship with Newcastle.

Everton finished in 10th position in the Premier League during the 2020-21 season, but the club’s owners are still aiming to take them into the Champions League.