Everton consider Benitez for manager role

Benitez is a satisfactory appointment but after the last 4 years of managers coming and going is he the right man to galvanise the club and fans?! His tactics are even more negative than Carlo's

Neigh neigh and thrice neigh. Salute !

Imagine a picture of the Everton manager being unfurled at Mordor every other Saturday. Just wrong on so many levels.
Feel ill just thinking about the possibility.

Leaving the "small club" insult aside for a moment. Isn't Rafa one of those managers who wants the club he manages to sign players he selects? Here's his list of signings when at the RS: Link

Some good ones in there. A bunch I never heard of.

Anyway, my view is that the larger emphasis must be on signing young talent. We go nowhere without it, whoever the manager. Get the talent and it's the manager's job to plan strategy and game tactics according to the talent available.

This signing players yet another manager wants is getting us nowhere but stuck with unmovable contracts.

He let Xabi Alonso leave the RS. Enough said.

Yesterday's man by a long way apart from the obvious connections and small club jibe.

He would have no chance because the fans will not give him any patience including me.

Galtier is the man and the board would be well advised to avoid Benitez, Gerard or anyone else associated with Mordor.

He makes Moyes look flamboyant

I wouldn't disqualify Rafi for his RS association. Or the wisecrack about us. Couldn't care less.

I would disqualify him for the stupidity of zonal marking. Even when the RS were good, they gave up goals on set pieces. We finally got that Silva-installed weakness out of our defense and I don't ever want to see it again.

Having said that, stability may be what we need and he could supply that.

That time of night in North America Mike. A glass of wine and TW? I'm in Canada.

Simon Jordan's (Crystal Palace) viewpoint on Big Dunc being appointed manager: "Duncan Ferguson embodies a certain spirit that you want in your club but you don't want that spirit running the club on a day-to-day basis because it will come unwound. It is a one tricky pony.

"It has a certain way of operating and it should absolutely be utilised.

"I do not think it would do Duncan Ferguson any favour whatsoever to be given that role.

"You need to save him from himself. You would put a club hero into a position, it is like asking a one-legged man to run a 100m in ten seconds and then castigating him for not being able to do it.

"He does not have the toolkit and the skillset to be a manager capable of competing with the six or seven other managers."

No, just no. Not withstanding the fact that even a journeyman like Steve Bruce, nice shap though I'm sure he is, out performed him.

It won't even show that we are 'grown up' and magnanimous, on the contrary, it will only confirm his 'small club' jibe

It will end in even more tears than our other appointments.

Your having a raff. NO Thanks.

Barry, why do you think we require ‘stability’? How long would we need it for?
No, we need a root and branch shake up of our players and progression not a ‘let’s just settle’ period. We’ve had too much of them.

James @4 you got me thinking with that link so I checked out his Toon signings
Link

Some comments from their fans:
FaustinoAsprilla11
Rafa wasted millions, let players go who should have been eased into the team and while scouting missed some absolute gems at clubs he bought poor/average players from, he also missed the chance to sell players for decent money while their stock was high... and he scraped out of the championship with a huge budget and massive squad. then he played awful football and hardly progressed. he’s considered World class. by who ?. not the Chinese

Gammaray1
Rafa bought well to get us promoted, but after that even on a low budget he bought some garbage.

And on the other side of the fence:
Considering the financial constraints that were placed on him, I reckon Rafa did a bloody good job. Dubravka, Schar and Lejeune were his best signings, and, in my opinion, Matz Sels and Achraf Lazaar were his only complete duds - with an honourable mention going to the hapless Joselu.

Rafa done very well in the markets and the absolute bargains far outweigh the amount of duds.
Our keeper and defence was a steal when you take each player at cost v performances.
The biggest regret will always be not giving him the things he needed to do his job to the best of his ability.

As you say James he doesn't come across as a DOF type manager. I'd rather Potter/Gallardo/Galtier/Gasperini(unlikley) than him and that's without is RS affiliation

Oh great we get rid of one yesterdays man who plays ugly football and people are suggesting we replace him with another.

Worst nightmare. Even worse than the one where I wake up sweating after seeing TGT getting a welcome back hug from Kenwright.

Where's that fucking hot dog seller ??????????????

Never ever want Benitez, but in a Hobson’s choice situation, I’ll go with Galtier.

Barry #10, a big hello to you north of the border... and #11 interesting comment on Duncan, with which I wholeheartedly agree.

Jeff #17, how about this guy for a Hobson's choice:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2587974-meet-cleon-hobson-maybe-the-best-football-manager-player-in-the-world

So much for Brands overseeing the search for a new manager if any truth in this. If it’s true he’s in the frame, then I’d say we seem to be looking for someone to just keep things ticking whilst BMD is the priority. Moshiri looking for a safe pair of hands rather than someone ambitious to truly progress the club.

FFS - how much ridicule can we subjected too. I can see why he wants it, a cosy little job with a huge pay packet to boot, he can pop over from the Wirral each day As he speeds up to the top of Everton valley he can look over nostalgically at Mordor and pine for his true love, send a cheery wave at passing Kopites as he engages in his mission to bore Evertonians to death with his mind numbing football. There is always an excuse for us not competing and winning thing because we are of course only a small club.

Anyone but him, even Moyes

Previously and initially this wouldn't have offended me as much as some, although obviously I understand how it would. I've said that before. But given the reflection we've all had these pat few weeks this is not where we need to be going. I now know the options I'd like the club to be pursuing, but I'm not the club.

This one feels like it would also accommodate Duncan remaining in place I reckon.

I'm out with the dogs and have asked them. They seem to agree.

Devisive from the onset.

I'm going to talk to the dogs again. They calm me down.

Initially I'd have been OK with Rafa but now I'm not so sure. He has been out of work for a while and there was a reason he went to China and no big clubs in Europe were or are looking at him to fill their positions.

Seldom do Managers disappear into the wilderness and come back as winners.
Rafa's Glory days are over. I cannot see him bouncing back at his age.
Would prefer someone else.
Please not another 2 Seasons of misery.
This maybe speculation but I'm losing interest fast.
It would be a nice comfortable appointment for him as he lives in the area BUT what happens when someone is comfortable - They lose that edge.

I cannot see what Benitez has done in the last 10 years to even generate a rumour. I'll be disgusted if he's appointed.

If Rafa is in the mix why not consider Roy? He’s unemployed and looking for one last payday as well.

Interesting that the majority of comments on this thread do not reflect the results if the Benitez survey of ToffeeWeb readers elsewhere on this site. Another case of a vocal minority not being reflective of the majority of Evertonians by a long stretch.

Another has been! No thanks his football is as bad as Carlo’s and can you imagine the flak we’ll take of kopites calling him agent Rafa if things aren’t going well, please don’t employ Rafa he is past his sell by date

So Mr. Mosh doesn’t want to disrupt his personal supply of porn from West Ham. I don’t blame him. I’d prioritise porn over taking Moyes back too.

That’s no excuse for considering Rafa Beneathus! Look at the TW poll on this thread! It’s like a mini Brexit vote! It would further divide our fan base. Terrible decision if made.

Options are slim pickings. Don’t agree Duncan hasn’t got the skill set. We wouldn’t know. He probably doesn’t know himself. He’d need the opportunity first.

It’s got to be Brands’ decision. The manager has to work with Brands. Brands is effectively the managers boss. The non-football heads in the boardroom need to back off and concentrate on our poor commercial performances.

Sod it, I’d take Marco Silva back. He was let down by Brands and the board and should be allowed to redeem himself.

Why the deference to Brands? The squad is a mess and that's mostly down to him.

Bin him off and let the new manager do their job.

The next appointed manager has to fit in with the good players that we have in order to keep them, and have the balls to tell the players who don’t have a future that they are being moved on. Benitez isn’t that person for me.

From the poll list it’s Galtiers or Potter, but even then I’m not convinced. We definitely need a strong manager in order to make it clear what is expected of the players especially at home.

Just because he is settled on the Wirral is no reason to offer him a job. He doesn't need to work, he's loaded. If we went down this route we certainly would look like a small club. Does anyone think the RS would have him? No of course not.
After this 18 months of turgid anti-football I couldn't stomach it all over again.
Let's have a hungry coach, full of attacking intent who plays man-for-man marking and gives the kids a chance.

Danny #30. Jury still out on Brands but in fairness he's been unable to do his recruitment job without considerable interference. Being generous, Walsh had that problem too. I'd like to see the DoF left alone to call the shots - and therefore be more accountable for his performance. That's why I like the idea of Ten Hag, Galtier, Potter and even Santo. They seem to coach players assembled for them, not by them.

I see where he is second fav on odds checker, 3/1, with Nuno still fav at 7/4. He is a good manager and did a great job with Valencia back in the day, unfortunately, that day was not in the recent past.

His appointment would be along the lines of Carlo and one would have to ask what Brands function would be with him in charge. He might be thought of as a safe pair of hands this side of our move to BMD.

He would not be my choice, I am in the Galtier corner at this point in time but if he gets the job I will support him and hope that he does a good job and moves us forward.

I made a promise after the City game that I would give the forum a rest until August, then Carlo walks off the stage. I am hoping against hope that the the new manager will be appointed sooner rather than later so that I can take a break until August.

Not easy being a blue.

Gautier, Potter or Ralphy Raggyneck for me. They all seem to play attractive footy, and after what we've endured I want to enjoy watching us again.

I liked (past tense) Carlo as a man but following the disappointment of his departure I have come to realise that he favoured ageing players who seldom got me off my seat after September.

Rafa - there are waiter jobs in West Kirby.

Get someone whose footy gets us excited.

COYB.

I can only hope his interview ends by him being told he's not a big enough man or name for a club with a history like ours, don't ring us as we won't be ringing you!

NOT in a million years.
Would honestly say that if Benitez was installed as manager of Everton I would not and could not support them again until he had gone.
He is an average manager at best, lucky to win the champions league with only an AC Milan team who thought they had already won it and a stand out performance from Gerard to save him and only a poor FA cup win and poor super league win to his name while at Liverpool
FA Cup: 2005–06
FA Community Shield: 2006
UEFA Champions League: 2004–05; runner-up: 2006–07
UEFA Super Cup: 2005
Yes he has won other things ( very few ) around Europe but he is a dull, defensive, average manager who would make our club a bigger laughing stock than it already is.
we must have bigger and better ideas than him.

You do realise this is Everton looking for a manager. It's not man city or another top club. You need to get realistic. It's going to be a Potter, Benitez or Ferguson, Or someone of that ilk. Better get used to it.

So many names, on the whole I'd be happy enough with any of them as long as its not Moyes or Rooney, or any of Luvie Bill's choices.

I do however feel Duncan needs to manage a league 1 or Championship team first before being considered for Everton. It looks like Unsworth obviously wants to stay at U23s for rest of his life. Lee Carsley, Gerrard, Lee Bowyer, Lampard, Rooney, Barton, should be a model for them both, learning the hot seat away from your comfort zone.

I've said this on another thread.

Martinez when the Euros are over. He won't want to destabilise Belgium by linking himself with the job currently.

Just a thought that keeps popping into my head.

Martinez would excite me, despite him completely losing the plot last time after 18 months. He must have learned from that.

Benitez? Jesus weeps.

I think the board are being very clever. There are managers out there and it would be negligent of the board not to consider them. However, I believe that the board has a short list of probables, possibles, and must be seen. I expect Benitez is in the last category.

When the final appoinment is made, the board can then say "We interviewed a number of excellent candidates, before we decided that "Mr X", best suited our needs at this time.

No-one can then say "but "So and so" was available, and we never even gave him an interview".

This appointment, when it happens, will be the "no stone unturned", one.

None of the linked candidates would set Goodison Park alight, well Benitez might force the more ultra Evertonians into committing arson, but seriously not one man seems to stand out from the rest, they all have some assets but all have flaws. For this reason, I'd advise Everton FC to appoint Duncan on a two-year rolling contract, which would help to give the club breathing space and not rush into any mad decisions.

Duncan would be in a position where he isn't just reacting to the club being in trouble and he would be able to start with a clean slate, if he fails, it would put to bed once and for all his suitability for the job, but if he succeeds Goodison would be bouncing.

The club wasn't expecting to be choosing a manager at this point in time, so why not carry on with Duncan at the helm?

Small club. Did he say "SMALL CLUB"?

Why would he want to come manage a SMALL CLUB.

Oh yes, I know why. Load of money…

Oh and no doubt he would take pleasure in getting us relegated.

NEVER EVER BENITEZ.

Benitez has an ego as big as his waistline.

I’d have Moyes, Martinez or even Silva back over him.

Does anyone seriously want mr Duo San Miguel? Calls us a small club then expects to bleed the club dry with a nice retirement salary.

There are far stronger reasons for not having having Benitez as next manager than some comments he made fourteen years ago in the heat of Merseyside rivalry. Benitez like Ancelotti is "old school" in that he would insist upon total control of everything including transfers. The outcome of such an approach can be seen in that we now have a number of ageing players brought in by Ancelotti for quick gains at the expense of long-term development.

We have a Director of Football in Brands who should be in control of transfers with an eye on the long-term stability of the club( not sure if he's up to the job because we don't know which transfers were his ideas and which either Ancelotti, Kenwright or Moshri)
Having created this structure the owner should allow it to work i.e Brands should get who he wants as Head Coach and if it doesnt work then he should go.

The logic therefore is to bring in a man with great coaching and man management skills who is comfortable to work within the structure. Can the candidates converse multi-linqually, surely a must in today's football?

Not sure about Galtiers lingual abilities but from what I have read he appears to meet what we need.

Surely this is mischievous paper talk. Journos are now taking the piss if they are pushing this man for the job.

Get Galtier in while he is still available and put us out of our misery. I’m trying to take a break from football, so will you just get on with it!

I have had a lifetime of fun watching the Blues through
great and sometimes not so great times. But If Benitez is appointed It will be pipe and slippers for me. I thought the talk of Moyes was bad enough but I would give him a piggy back ride up to Goodison if it stopped Benitez coming.

Benitez wouldn't work with a DoF. He's a control freak. So he's a No.

Nuno wants all his group huggers with him so Duncan would be forced out. That would be a red line for Boys Pen Billy. He's a No.

Martinez and Ginge the Minge would be seen by Moshiri as Bill's pawns in his fight to regain total control. So he's a No.

Conte would scare the the luvvies shitless. So he's a No.
Dyche has signed a 3-year extension with Burnley. So he's a no.

That, basically, leaves Galtier and Potter. Thank Christ I'm not making the final decision.

John @44, that comment was years ago. EFC was a small club then and is now. Any club which employees a manager for 11 years (Moyes of course), without winning anything, never played even one season in the champion league is nowhere near dining at the top table. As you know Last trophy 1995 (I was in my mid twenties, now 51)

We still have Bill living in the past, like many fans. EFC is not a powerhouse anymore. Personally I'd like any manager at EFC that has a dig at rivals. We as fans haven't been able to dish it out for decades, as we haven't had anything to dish out.

The fact is that we are a small club now. That is Mr Kenwright’s legacy. Non of the top managers want to come to us and the next level down are not exactly straining at the leash. Moshiri is obviously struggling to make progress and I believe we should go for an ambitious young manager if the right one can be found.

Just No. God no. Please hell no

He'd be an awful appointment.

He's arrogant. When results fail he blames not being able to sign X, y z. He plays dull football. He hasn't won anything in years, and hasn't even been at a half decent club in about a decade.

No,no,no

This has been put into the public domain for one reason only imo. I think Moshiri, is going to gauge the fans reaction, (possibly because Bill Kenwright has said it won’t work) before he takes a punt on Rafa Benitez.

I'll get my rope!

I cant believe some Blues have actually voted for him in a poll to be our next manager. I can only assume that none who voted for him live in or around the City. Benitez is a horrible nasty man and for any Blue to dismiss his small club comment has no pride in being a blue. And this isn't because he managed Liverpool there are many who have managed that club that I would have welcomed with open arms and still my preferred choice would be Brendan Rodgers. I would rather Neil Warnock who I hate take over rather than Benitez.

Should Moshiri lose all sense of pride and appoint this obnoxious man then I wont step foot in Goodison till he has left. My Son tells me that on Andy Grays podcast he interviewed Joe Royle who has expressed similar sentiments to mine.

Much as I would welcome Benitez as a proven manager who would steer our inadequate, unbalanced squad through the next couple of years, I don’t think it will happen. In this era owners are all too wary of upsetting a significant proportion of the fan base. It would need only one poor run of results to prompt ‘get out of our club’ chants.

I expect after much agonising by the Board another up and coming managerial talent will be appointed, given a warm welcome amid talk of a new era project, only to fail after eighteen months of up and down results.

I would echo the voices saying that Dunc. needs to get out on his own and gain his managerial experience elsewhere - and rejoin us at a later stage. Same with Unsy..
For now I'd be happy with Hasenhuettl.. though the Saints would probably not want that scenario once more.. Surely there are young and exciting managers out there other than the usual candidates. A bit of stability and plenty of ability for the love of God please.. and soon.

Tony, 53, you are better than Paul McKenna. What’s this Saturday’s lotto numbers?

I'm hoping the Benitez rumour is out there so that whoever is appointed will come as an enormous relief that at least it wasn't Benitez.

Tony @ 53; well for once Bill's read the room to perfection. Not with standing his recent record at Newcastle, where the...lets be fair...Journeyman, Steve Bruce bettered his record.

His main claim to fame was to tinker with Houlliers team and some how win the battle of the negative bottlers; Ancelotti Vs Benitez...I mean jeez, he played the busted flush that was Kewell as a starter.

Then we get to the Small Club jibe - Nah, he and Moshiri, if he signs off in it, can both fuck off.

There are no guarantees with any manager we appointment. It's no wonder the owner and Board are taking their time after the string of disasters we've endured. There's a lot of mercenaries out there who would screw us when it suits them. Ancelotti being a prime example.

We are no longer a top Premiership Club. We don't need a Formula 1 driver. We need a competent manager who is committed to rebuilding a competitive squad. Not another carpet bagger.

I voted disappointed in the poll.

Interesting yerlt again. It's pretty evenly split between satisfied, disappointed.& gutted.

Instinct tells me no on reflection. This will split us more than the Brexit vote did the country.

I voted disappointed in the poll.

Interesting yerlt again. It's pretty evenly split between satisfied, disappointed.& gutted.

Instinct tells me no on reflection. This will split us more than the Brexit vote did the country.

Joe @50
We are not a small club and Never have been.
Yes we haven't won anything for SINCE 1995 ( FA Cup ) yes we have not won the league since 1986, but as a long suffering Everton fan ( 65 ), I still love my team and would hate anyone who calls it a " SMALL CLUB " to manage my team.
It makes no difference to me if he said it yesterday, 11 years ago or 100 years ago. he should never have said it and should never manage my team.
ONCE SAID NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Apologies. I double tapped. I need to be careful and cut back on posting. Just noticed I can no longer post on the Nuno thread as I've apparently exceeded my limit!

I knew this was getting to me. Maybe my wife had a point and the dogs' concern was valid!!

I don't rate him at all his ill conceived lecture about SAF plus his transfer policy bankrupting the shite leading to a monumental sulk when they wouldn't give him more money suggests a very unaware individual.

But I think we should appoint him simply because footy is shite and the resultant indignation and angst would provide some interest.

The french guy looks the most exciting appointment we could make. I'd also have Nuno, Moyes, Martinez or Dunc. BUT if the fat spanish waiter comes in l won't even bother to watch another game. In fact l will leave the UK.

We are not a small club. We have been behaving for one for too long and have a 6th to 10th place average team.

But we are not a small club.

No matter how low they got (much lower than we have), Manchester City, Leeds & Newcastle were and are not small clubs.

We just need to start behaving like the big club we are.

I'm going to exceed my limit again. When is it acceptable to have your first drink of the day??

Danny @68
When Rafa and Everton are seriously linked, there is no limit to the acceptable time for you to take your first drink of the day.:)

I always think back to when Man City was taken over by the Abu Dhabi Group. They immediately made a statement by signing Robinho and also signed players that would become integral to the squad (Kompany, de Jong, Wright-Phillips, Given, Zabaleta). It was almost the perfect blue print for buying a club and making a positive impact.

They gave Mark Hughes a chance and he wasn't exactly a 'big name' in football management, albeit he was respected. He was sacked half way through the next season, making way for Mancini. Football is a business and the big clubs are run like a corporate entities. For City it was a case of pay what it takes for success, same for Chelsea, same for PSG, etc.

But I've always felt there's an element of resistance at Everton, too much too soon and there's not a 'big club' mentality. Fast forward to now and we unexpectedly hired one of the best managers in the world. Regardless of Ancelotti's salary, Everton was able to entice a manager of his calibre.

A part of me wants the City approach, a part of me wants another marque manager like Conte. But looking at the failings of the squad, the guys on the pitch have to change their attitudes and up their game. Koeman once said, I can prepare the team, but I have no control over what they do on the pitch. I'm sick of seeing sloppy passing and booting the ball up field, hoping DCL gets his head on it. They spend most of the games chasing the ball to win back possession. The way they play has become predictable. Everton no longer win games comfortably, it's 1-0s, 2-1s.

Some of the names linked to the job are impressive. We know many have EPL experience and others have done well wherever they've managed. But I just want someone who can go back to basics. Get them passing properly, get them to keep possession and stop being so predictable.

Of course, I want the club to sign quality players too, but we need to start doing what Mourinho did at Chelsea. He introduced us to unknown players who stepped up and became world class players. It's not just the manager we need to be up for the job, we need the scouts to step up, we need everyone at the club to see this as a fresh start.

We all had high hopes with Ancelotti, but that's over. Whoever the club hires, we need to get behind him regardless. Get behind the squad too and encourage them. We as fans have played a part in creating a toxicity around the club. I just want this club to stop being a joke, to stop being ignored and underachieving. Every time a pundit talks about the club, they always comment about the level of investment and the lack of results.

Everton used to be respected. We were a difficult team to beat (most of the time) and we were organised. I can't predict who the new manager will be, but whoever it is, he needs to take the club back in order for us to move forward.

If this happens. Then its very clear that the teary one doesnt have as much say as some think he has. I do think he would be like most of us on here and would fuck Benites off...

Will be interesting to see how the new Celtic manager gets on. They took ages getting their man and as a relative unknown has raised eyebrows, but it looks like they have completed thorough due diligence and are confident he’s a good fit.

As for Benitez. Would he be considered if employed elsewhere? I hope the criteria doesn’t include ‘available’ and ‘lives locally’ as both are red herrings. The only plus for me would be he is bloody minded and doesn’t suffer fools. I don’t think he would give a shit about potentially upsetting the RS - the man has shed loads of self belief to the point of being arrogant. In that respect, he’d be a bit like Jorge Jesus with Benfica/Sporting but not as extreme. I think he’d have to launch the biggest charm offensive ever known and he’s too arrogant for that. We need a uniting force. A no for me.

Blue Bill's master plan to bring back Moyes is coming to fruition. By letting the press know that Beneathus is even being considered, it will make the return of Moyes seem almost palatable to most supporters in comparison. All he needs now is a leaked press mention of Allardyce and the deal will be as good as done.

Interesting that Moyes still hasn't signed his verbally agreed 'formality' contract after three weeks. Dithering par excellence. Why risk a potentially short stay at West Ham when you can get away with year upon year upon year of mediocrity with Blue Bill and an appreciative big wad of cash to boot.

After 75 years as an Evertonian, it's beginning to look like the time to draw the blinds down on the horrible mess the Club has become !

New ground or not, nobody but nobody has brought the ridicule that 'Mosh the Dosh'repeatedly provokes - and we said Kenwright was an idiot !

The Benitez link is easy click bait fodder for the rags.

He lives in Liverpool and is out of work. That seems to be the only reason he’s being linked with us

Small potatoes that lottery nowadays Clive, it’s the Everton Managers job that pays the really big bucks!

Nuno has a "large backroom staff"... is that a euphemism?

Derek @ 74, rarely do I agree with you on many subjects, but with this I do, it has become a money fuelled Fred Carno's Circus, that's just Football in general, then there is us! I, like you have lost a lot of interest in the Club itself and I while I still love the majority of fans and their views, we are slowly becoming a secondary or tertiary consideration.

If the unthinkable were to happen and Rafa Beneathus, were to get the job, (I know it's probably journo clickbait, but stranger things have, and do happen) I wonder if they would consider the impact on both Season Ticket and General Ticket Sales. Us 'old arses' would most probably vote with our feet and I don't think we would have to 'crane our necks' too much, to see how many others followed suit.

I'm not convinced this is a good move but he will certainly be motivated to do a good job because he knows he will get shed loads of abuse if we are crap.

Ultimately, I'm a fan of Everton FC whoever the manager is and want them to do well.

Whoever it is I just hope they can get a good tune out of these players and get them fired up.

Really don't see the attraction with Benitez at all!! Aside from the obviously troubling history his recent coaching cv is far from impressive.

Yes he won the CL but that was 16 years ago!! And despite managing some great teams since he has not won a top flight league title since Valencia almost 20 years ago.

He didn't pull up many trees at Chelsea, was fairly mediocre at Real Madrid and Napoli and got Newcastle relegated. Then went to the Chinese wilderness and didn't do that well there either.

He's 61 and unlikely to be burning with hunger to take a club he once called small back to the pinnacle. Really don't understand people calling for him. Steve Bruce would be preferable.

I'm sure Benitez could probably charge us a small fortune to keep us around 10th with some turgid football but we surely need to be a touch braver than that?

The only thing I blame Kenwright for is sell up to Moshiri. A truly terrible owner.

I think he's by far the best candidate. He got that shower of shit (and they really were a dreadful team when he took them over) to two champions league finals. He's also a hard bastard, which is exactly what we need with our underperforming mercenaries. If you look at the fanbases, other than Chelsea for obvious reason, they all really took to BEnitez. The Liverpool fans I know never complain about the style of football. All they talk about is Istanbul. Even now.
There are very few people that could get a club like ours into a top four position, but he is definitely one of them.

Benitez is a football manager, a professional who will do his best regardless of who he manages.
All this nonsense about the fact he managed the dark side so what ?. Do you think he is going to throw matches/run down the club just because of past associations ?.
We must move on and get the best manager available and he will stake his reputation by seeing the results on the pitch.
Football is littered with managers/players who have plied their trade at rival clubs then changed allegiance its nothing new.

Beginning to think we are being played and Moyes is coming back - god help us. Playing WHU with his I'll be signing soon don't worry, act - what he did here, when he already knew the MU job was his.

If he does PROTESTS OUTSIDE GOODISON IMMEDIATELY. SACK THE BOARD !!!

Rafa, probably won't be appointed and I wouldn't be disappointed if he was. I'm not a bitter blue, I enjoyed watching the fantastic Peter Beardsley in an Everton shirt, and we all know the success he had at Liverpool.

Yes it was years ago but Sir Matt Busbys legacy is part of the fabric at Manchester United. All those years ago, it didn't bother the United fans then or now that most of his playing career was as their rivals City.

Martin @ you ask Do you think he is going to throw matches/run down the club just because of past associations ?.My reply is "How would we recognise it, if he did, we have managed to do most of the hard work ourselves or rather the board and managers have.

I think his record at Chelsea wasn’t bad Sam, losing four out of 23 league matches, so getting them to third in the league.

He lost two domestic semi finals, won the Europa League, and this was all done under the backdrop of a fanbase, who absolutely detested him for comments about the plastic flags that the Chelsea fans used to fly.

Im sure this would have stemmed from the arrogance connected to the Liverpool fans, who have always come across as believing they are a superior race, whereas his small club jibe, was probably more personal, because of the stick he regularly took off Evertonians?

He’s won a lot of cups, although it’s also easy to argue that, “and so he should have done” and I also think he won a lot of the Chelsea fans around in the end, because of his sheer will and professionalism, which never once wavered whilst he was getting absolutely destroyed by certain sections of his own crowd every week.

A massive part of me wants a belligerent cold professional in charge of Everton football club, but it’s also a worry appointing Benitez, but more because of his dour football, rather than his Liverpool connections imo, especially because it never done our great team of the eighties any harm, having a couple of ex-kopites in the squad.

If you look at gross turnover of clubs, we are a small club. Kenwright ran the business side down for twenty years then told us “I haven’t got a clue about business”. As if a football club isn’t in a cut throat business. Look at the ridiculous Kitbag deal we did with an internet firm that had no outlets. Moshiri is desperately trying to build it up again.

From the Echo - can anyone explain what all this actually means and what are its implications if any.

Companies House records confirm that Brands has joined the board of Everton Investments Ltd, Everton Finance Ltd and Goodison Park Stadium Ltd, all appointments beginning from June 4.

Brands joins incumbent trio of Bill Kenwright, Denise Barrett-Baxendale and Alexander Ryazantsev on the Everton Investments Ltd and Goodison Park Stadium Ltd board, while he joins Kenwright in coming on to the Everton Finance Ltd board, which had previously had only Barrett-Baxendale and Ryazantsev as confirmed board members.

The Mail (Dominic King) broke this yesterday evening - they are now saying we have spoke with Manuel Pellegrini. Either both are true and we are truly in a mess with this or it’s click bait bollocks

Uncertain what impact this has on the general running of the club, but the Echo reports that Marcel Brands has been appointed onto the boards of Everton Investments Ltd., Goodison Park Stadium Ltd, and Everton Finance Ltd

Brands Triple Appointment

Jack#89
One of the Clickbait sites has just published a very pro-Moyes return article and stated that he & Blue Bill have held "informal" talks.

Brendan - worried of Southport am I. I will be absolutely disgusted if that man ends up managing EFC again.

I can recall the outraged indignation I felt when Rafa labelled Everton a small club, but I will settle for him becoming our next manager before Moyes all day long.
I guess this is a reflection of my advancing years and a growing calmness of demeanour.
Regarding our former manager, we'll 2 key things for me. One, never go back it will not be a success and two, he failed for more than a decade, we know how far he can take us. Do not bother. COYB.

Not exactly over the moon, for obvious reasons, but it's not like we'd be appointing Bill Shankly. A few main cons, in my view: his negative football and his lack of success over recent years, as well as the profile of the clubs he has been in charge of, during the same time. Plus, does he still have it in him? And, of course, would he take a back-seat to Marcel Brands in the transfer market?

No to anyone that Kenwright or Moshiri want. Let Brands do his DoF job.

No to anyone who has managed a relegated side; so no Howe, Martinez, Moyes, Wilder, Dyche, Allardyce.

No to any manager with less than 5 years experience; no Ferguson, Lampard, Gerrard, Arteta, Rooney, Neville. This job is too big and too difficult.

No to any former "Top Player"; No Pirlo, no Koeman.

No to anyone over 60: Sorry, you're just after one last payoff and don't have the energy.

No to anyone who hasn't won anything; No Moyes and most of the above.

No nice guys; No Nuno, Potter?

Personally I'd wave a massive wad of cash at Unai Emery and (reluctantly) Brendan Rodgers. Failing that... Galtier, Ten Hag or (outsider) Conte.

This for me would be just another soul destroying appointment if it happened.

I beginning to have grave concerns about the forthcoming season.

Rafa has got to be worth a go, in my view. What's the worst that could happen? It doesn't take long for the fickle minds of the football fan to change tack, if he was to being a degree of success.

The trouble with winning stuff at the pit is you become forever infected by their virus. When Houlier joined Villa, a historic footballing institution in it's own right, he couldn't help cravenly rolling on his back for tummy rubs from the Anfield faithful.

Villa fans were quite rightly irked here was their manager public demonstrating his heart really lay at shitsville making Villa look a poor second

Benitez would do exactly the same thing. It's gonna be fun

Anybody else feel we are getting played here? This will drag on for a couple more weeks then the club will release a statement, we have exhausted a long protracted recruitment process, here is your new manager David Moyes. BPB will greet him like a returning prodical son. We will all go at least they tried I am becoming more disconnected to the club by the day!!!!!! Moyes still not signing he new extended contract with the Hammers has me worrying

Why have I a scraping the bottom of the barrel feeling?

Let's face it.

Moyes has history for sitting on his employer from a great height.

Everton... anyone!

enough with the speculation already.
Let's talk about fachts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsg0KiLkzHU&t=26s

Enforced few hours away from all this due to work.

The link about Brands has only gone and got me hopeful. He's stepping up to a more prominent board level role. We're going to appoint Rangnick as the manager but also working as DoF with Brands and then Terzic working under him as first team coach.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Bill is convincing Moshiri that it has to be Moyes and it will be announced by the end of the week.

I give in. I'm going for that drink. The dogs are looking at me again. I think they're worried.

Jack#89

Confirms that Brands is part of the Everton Establishment. Old Marcel is doing alright no matter what happens.

Simply cannot believe that 46% would find this acceptable. Just goes to prove how many WUMs there are on this site. The only possible explanation.

I’d be happy if Moyes came back. We’ve been terrible since he left despite spending a fortune.
I was too young to remember the glory days in the 80’s and that’s probably why I look fondly on the Moyes tenure.
I think until the ground move happens, we need a period of stability where we are savvy in the transfer market and we get the most out of our players.
I think of all the candidates being discussed, Moyes would be a pretty safe pair of hands...

Barry#91

Is he still known as a Director of Football?

Jerome @108
I think so, nothing in the piece to suggest otherwise.

Be like going back for Gordon Lee after Colin Harvey went.

This madness must be stopped. He wants the job because it's good dough and on his doorstep. Tell him he must beg then Chase him.

Surely the longer this goes on the better become the chances of Duncan getting the job. If an appointment is not made by the end of the month he will step in to take the pre season training. Possession as they say is nine tenths of the law.

As for David Moyes, the hysteria about the guy is disconcerting. He has done a very good job at West Ham and I will be amazed if he is not managing that club when the season kicks off in August.

FFS!

A lot are rightly saying about Rafa and small club, however if you go on YouTube and view the after match thoughts, when Duncan was in charge of the 4 nil Chelsea win, both Carragher and Rafa are in the studio.

You get an insight on tactics and how Everton got both attackers and wingers inside the Chelsea area by playing a 4-4-2, for 3 of the 4 goals.

Both Rafa and Carragher nailed it spot on, with Rafa apologising and saying he was referring to small team at the time and not a small club, Carragher then pushed him on the vacant job last season and would have been up to the challange and his Liverpool ties, would not stand in the way of him trying to achieve success at Everton, well worth a watch.

One things for sure, the Red side would be fuming, if he took the Everton job.

Barry#108

Just occured to me that in coming Managers may no want a Director of Football as part of the their team, though Brands would be involved in Transfers at Board level.

Stephen#108

Raf and Moyes God him us.

Jerome@115

It's no secret that we have a DoF at Everton so why throw your hat into the ring if you don't want to work with one?

Dave # 197 I don't want safe. What's the point then?

Benitez would be a very good choice in the short-term because he would stabilize the club. Having another manager come in does not guarantee he will 'hit the ground running' but Benitez would. He knows the premier league inside/out; has lots of contacts in the football world; knows where to find players that would suit Everton; Benitez made Liverpool FC competitive very season; has a home on Merseyside and has an affection towards all Liverpool people.

Brian # 114, the RS fans I speak to aren't fuming about the Rafa link. It just reinforces their superiority complex - that we would appoint someone they said goodbye to years ago and would never now reappoint. It would simply position us as a laughable Palace size club pretending to be big.

Steavey#118.
Having another manager come in does not guarantee he will 'hit the ground running' but Benitez would.

Steavey, Benitez IS another manager so that doesn't really make sense, and the fact that he's got a house on Merseyside means sweet f.a to be honest.

And surely we don't want any manager who's "managed" to get his team relegated?

Brian, both Klopp and Wenger have a relegation on their CVs.

The new appointment for Brands makes me worry he's moving away from his DOF role and we all know that Moyes / Rafa would never work with one. Sick to the stomach am I. FFS EFC show some balls and leave the past behind. I live in Southport - if living near Goodison is a priority then I must have a chance - nearer to Goodison than either Rafa / Moyes - Giz a job Mr Moshiri. £200,000 pa. Been a blue for 60 plus years - bleed blue.

I believe that we are building up to a catastrophe.

Yes Andrew #121
As part of their early learning curve...FSW's drop only serves to evidence his spiralling downward trajectory.

I do like the 'have spoken to' rumours.

Do they mean substantial negotiations have taken place or does it mean candidate x phoned Marcel Brands and said can I be your manager and was told not a chance.

I rate him highly. I think he's a good man. I wanted him before and I still want him. I don't subscribe to the whole "small club nonsense" argument for not employing him.
He's available.
He'd be better than anything we've had since Kendall.
I could not give a flying proverbial about the Liverpool aspect of his CV at all.
Get the Spaniard in now and he will stabilise us. His best years are not behind him.

Just out of interest, on this subject of ex Shite managers. Brendan Rodgers has a house in Formby, what would be the general reaction if he was to come in to the frame ?

Moyes working without a d.o.f served us well in the past, in fact we have seemed to have gone backwards, since having two different d.o.f at the club.

I am not calling for Moyes as Manager, or even Rafa, but on the whole, they seemed to manage just fine, without a d.o.f.

Too many on here like Brands and he could very well be the one to bring in these players, but at the same time, there could be a very small percentage of chance, that having a d.o.f could be the problem.

Who cares who the manager is ? Most people would be alright with Adolf Hitler in charge if their club were winning games and scoring plenty of goals

Personally John, just as I don't really have too much concern for Rafa's Liverpool connections or his previous comments, I rate Rodgers as a coach.

I know to many this will seem irrelevant from a footballing perspective, but I just don't like the character. Obviously I don't know him personally, but just a gut feeling.

John I would welcome hi m with open arms, he is clever, inventive and by many accounts a great coach, always looking to improve his methods. I heard Danny Murphy on Talkshite last year saying how highly he rates him. Down here at Swansea he is fondly remembered and you could see how the players love him at Leicester. Would he come though?

Christopher @112, my brother in law is a Mackem, If I'd even mantion Moyes to him, he would froth at the mouth.

I have no problem with Duncan, but as I stated earlier I do however feel Duncan needs to manage a league 1 or Championship team first before being considered for Everton. Lee Carsley, Gerrard, Lee Bowyer, Lampard, Rooney, Barton, should be a model for them both (and Unsworth), leaving the hot seat away thier comfort zones.

It's a fair point Brian #128.

The DoF model, like a few modern innovations, seems slow to take off here than elsewhere.

Although, I would say that Ferguson & Wenger sort of morphed into the DoF role over time, albeit were certainly more than just DoF. Moyes was a bit like that for us but also hands on with coaching too, which is partly why the Manure job was too huge for him.

The version of DoF we've adopted with Walsh and Brands has been flawed because of interference from Moshiri, Kenwright and a succession of very short termist managers. Think back to the summer where we bought Sigurdsson, Klaasen, Rooney (was Vlasic that year too?). Madness.

Personally, I see our best chance of developing is by hiring a coach to coach the players and a DoF to handle the recruitment & academy.

Galtier and (?) Campos have done this to v good effect at Lille and its the model that brought Seville success too.

But, it's not the only way to do things successfully. However we do it, we need to stop the interference and misalignment of objectives that's causing all the problems. The specialists need to be trusted to get on with their jobs.

Robert. Nail, head as they say.

The DoF model has worked for years elsewhere because the board bring in someone and empower them with procurement. But with empowerment comes Responsibility. We are more used to a model where the manager does everything.

For the DoF model to work, like in any profession or walk of life, everyone is empowered and responsible at their own level to make the system operate effectively.

Yes there needs to be scrutiny and accountability but you touch on a very good point, there should not be interference. Let people do their job and judge them on that; but let them do it, don't try to do it for them.

The board should let the DoF do their job and yes, hold them accountable for that. Hold them accountable, but let them do it.

The DoF should hold the manager accountable for managing what the tools he has provided them with.

The manager should hold the coaches responsible for implementing his principles.

The coaches should hold the players responsible for carrying out the instructions given to them.

The players are responsible for delivery on the pitch based on those instructions.

Responsibility is key. At all layers. But there has to be delegation of responsibilty for it to work.

But let people do their job and judge them on performance.

Interference leads to confusion and incoherence.

I think I need another drink already.

Andrew#121.
And I wouldn't want either of those!

If we take the "small club" out of this and view his career from the perspective of say Leicester if they were in the market for a new manager, I feel sure that they would come to the conclusion he's winding down and his current form (over the last 5 years) shows he's tailing off.

I might of actually swallowed pride for the Benitez before he joined Newcastle, if I thought he could do something with us, but at Newcastle he wasn't exactly the "bees knee" or the "dog's danglies" was he?

He just seems like another Carlo to me and there's a chance he'll bore us to death like Carlo, but there won't be any Real to take him away and we'll be stuck with him.

I'll be optimistic and go with the energy and drive of the Dunc, Potter or the French guy.

Bloody hell
The hate brigade went into melt down before Ancelotti signed because of his age
Benitez is roughly the same age, won less, has the RS and “small club” connection, they’d be apoplectic!
Mind you a couple of them might find it so distasteful, they’d withdraw their support for the Club and never post here again!
Come on down, Rafa!

If age is the issue then Terim is the answer? According to Fotospor, via Billy Meyers at HITC, Everton has made an offer to Fatih Terim, after Marcel Brands held a meeting with the Galatasaray boss.

The elections for Galatasaray’s new President are on the horizon, and it’s believed that the 67-year-old will be sacked unless Burak Elmas wins. As a result, some offers have come in for Terim. One is from Lille, while the other is from Qatar.

However, Everton have also made an offer to Terim.

Fotospor write that Everton’s offer was even discussed on Persian-language TV channel Manoto, owned by Nazenin – the wife of Farhad Moshiri.

On the show, Manoto claimed that Moshiri had asked Everton’s Director of Football, Marcel Brands, to meet with Terim. Now, an offer has been sent to the Turk.

You can argue it all went downhill when we introduced a director of football.

I can 100% honestly say I don't know what Marcel Brands brings to the table in any shape or form to EFC.

Hindsight is wonderful when signing a player but its hard not to admit that Brands very much cost Silva his job in the Window where we wanted Zaha & Zouma but saddled him with with Iwobi and Gbamin.

He seems to have a senior position but what's the point if the key decisions such as the manager are made by Moshiri spinning the wheel of fortune. If Marcel Brands left tomorrow I do think it would genuinely have fuck all impact on the club.

I am getting a headache thinking about this and all the fake news.

I just want the club to decide and make an announcement.

How hard can iy be ToffeeWeb has established a shortlist of pretty good candidates in less than a week.

The best coaches are noted in the football world so how hard can it be to interview a shortlist and decide on the right one.

It is concerning me that apparently Moshiri, Bill and BRands are all interviewing people separately but that could also be fake news.

Martin@124
Cmon Martin, what happened to the old positive Martin?
Where has this doom laden mood come from?
I personally always get stupidly, unrealistically, over the top optimistic about how our new manager can turn us upside down!! I mean what is the point of supporting Everton?
It's the hope that keeps us alive!!

Barry #139 at age 67 he would only be an interim manager. Wouldn't have much faith in that.

But Pat @143
Fatih is an anagram of Faith. :)

Taking the Everton-Liverpool out of it, asked a very close friend on his views on Benitez. He's from the North East and is a Newcastle season ticket holder. His response and view:

"Benitez will be back at Newcastle if they win arbitration case and takeover can go ahead I reckon. But if he goes to Everton you know what you’ll get, disciplined formation and a genuine plan for each game. Players tend to say he’s strict and not the best man manager but he doesn’t care, they’re there to work!"

He also despises Steve Bruce.

Just, no.

Well, here's a new one!!!!

http://sportwitness.co.uk/belief-everton-made-offer-manager-farhad-moshiri-requested-brands-meeting/

No for Agent Benitez and No for Gerrard.

Is the worlds list of football managers so small we have t o lower ourselves to appoint an ex red. No fucking way move on.

If we appoint Pellegrini then I'm sorry but jesus christ Marcel Brands should just resign.

Daniel, if I was Marcel Brands I would resign. He's brought in to do a job and isn't being allowed to do it due to factions behind the scenes. If this club gets dragged down it won't be his doing.

To keep things nice and fresh, perhaps Moshiri could appoint a manager for each month of the year, he could then produce a glossy calendar to help raise money for Eitc, there you go everyone's a winner!

"If Marcel Brands left tomorrow I do think it would genuinely have fuck all impact on the club."

Daniel, I agree. I can't see anything in our performance as a team or club in the last few years that can be directly attributed to the presence alone of a DOF, that couldn't have happened without them. Nor any promising changes in structure or direction.

EDIT: Andrew, 149. Do we have any evidence that Brands is being actively prevented from operating, and by whom, and why?

Fatih Terim, the galatasaray manager linked!!

Yeah Rob@142 see my post @139
I wonder if Mosh's wife looks anything like Jim White?

Rob, he's hardly a young Turk

Sorry Barry, never saw your post. Can't be arsed scrolling through all these threads about a new manager. 😟😟

67 years old, Pat. This site will explode at the thought of a 67 year old taking over.

I doubt it's serious Rob. Maybe just a rumour to boost his chances of staying on.

If Wayne was still here, he'd show an interest in somebody of that age, a bit young for him mind.

2024 pub quiz question;

"Who is the only Premier League millionaire Director of Football who was never allowed to direct his club's football?"

Is it just possible that Marcel has by now realised that the easy-street giving so many Blue Bill acolytes a well-paid job for next to nowt in return is just looking more than comfortable for him too?

Off-topic but I don't care...

All US Blues, read this: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/10/everton-premier-league-usa-links?utm_term=f5370a696221e44a3ca5d8e0093de302&utm_campaign=TheFiver&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=fiver_email

Unsy will be made up
no chicken and pasta. Kebabs only at Finch Farm

The dismissive opening made me leave Mike but I'll check it out later.

Funny how the deserters and quitters judge everyone by their own standards.

Not a US blue Mile Gaynes, but as I have a house over there and have been to 30 of the States, I felt qualified to give it a read!

Interesting stuff. Reachng out to the US fan base by being Everton. Engaging and connecting.

Very interesting. Thanks for that link.

I'm afraid with this board we'll end up choosing between him and Mark Hughes!!!

Don#159

That exactly it. He is part of the Establishment and has been since elected to the Board. He has realised how Gerard's two empires works at Everton and is playing along. Doing real well as a result He will distance himself from the Manager, may take part in transfers at board level. Loans out will be delegated. I agreed that I would prefer Kia as advisor to Moshiri rather than Kenwright. No so sure about Brands either. Three Promotions with a squad of less value, a midtable finish and the Club losing money.

No, no, no, no, no.

No.

Are you sure Anthony?!!

Haha. We need a coach who is desperate to prove himself. Moyes did great as a younger man with relatively progressive methods and a fierce desire to prove himself.

Could Brands find the next surprise manager? Maybe.

Benitez is safe, irritating, pragmatic.

He won't take enough risks.

Best person for the job, probably not. But he's experienced in the Premier league and won a fewer trophies.

I always start with, are they better than Moyes. For me he's a similar level to Moyes

Certainly could do worse. Different styles and approaches but he's a top ten manager and could do a decent enough job for a few years.

Is that what we want, not me. Aim high, sign some quality players that are aligned to the style of football manager you want to bring in and that allows for continuity.

But if it's experience and a high profile we want, Wenger could certainly bring respect. Better than Rafa and Moyes.

Whoever is appointed must be supported by the fans.
There is nothing worse than a Cub in anarchy with fan protests etc. What will it achieve?
The Board will not remove a Manager if the fans protest and it will surely destroy any chance of the Team performing well and discourage quality players joining.
I would prefer younger Managers but will still support whoever comes in.
I can voice my opinion at the game after everyone has been given time, money and opportunity to turn this sows ear of a Team into a silk purse.

From another Blues page, Evertonians who don't want Benitez are wet wipes who don't want what's best for the club.

And people wonder why this club is not going anywhere.

I'm quite happy for the last red who turned blue to remain someone else.

Gags aside...

Can you honestly see 'Beneathus' taking charge of the final game at Goodison Park?

It'd be like appointing John Major to be the Unite union rep for the city...

Danny #164, I consider you an honorary Yank.

Not sure if that's a compliment, mind you !

Wenger!?!
Pffffff

For the last 5 hours, l've Googled 'Everton' and the first thing that l see is the Spanish Waiter's big fat face. For fuck's sake, hurry up, Moshiri, you're killing me.

Benitez is probably too old now to have an impact anyway, regardless of his previous with the other lot. Galtier I know nothing about but I suspect we would be looking for another manager pretty soon if he is appointed.

Graham Potter is a Moyes-type appointment: stability for few years, no flair and no wins when it matters.

The fact is, whoever we end up with, it's going to be years before we see any change on the pitch.

A good start would be to sign some young, pacey midfielders capable of taking the ball on the half-turn and moving forward with it, as opposed to just passing it back from where it came.

And somebody needs to tell Richarlison to stop throwing himself on the floor whilst screaming, and instead actually start pulling his weight as a forward.

I wonder what goes on at Finch Farm, do none of the staff tell him to get up or fuck off when he does all that play-acting?

It matters not who the next manager is.. The players lost all those home games last season..

No wonder Carlo fucked off...

A compliment Mike, although I have to be considered an honorary American.

My regional States side allegiances lie in Maryland, North Carolina and Florida from my military days. Since stepping into the commercial world, I'm a converted Texan. I have a huge Texas flag; well it would have to be wouldn't it?!!

Dennis @181
I think you're giving our leaders too much credit, they aren't capable of being machiavellian they're just plain incompetant. IF the Nuno appointment has fallen down due to his demands to appoint his own backroom staff, then everybody and his dog knew that last week following the Crystal Palace debacle.

I notice that Fonseca only got a two-year deal with Spurs - which perhaps is what Everton is hoping to try with whichever manager they are interested in, but Spurs have a better squad overall than Everton and it will take a new Everton manager realistically at least one season to build a team to compete with the other clubs eyeing the European spots.

I think Benitez would take a two-year deal, and I think the club would be content to have him as the boss, the fans are a different matter, but it would seem whoever is appointed won't satisfy a large proportion of the fanbase.

The Nuno saga reminds me of Allardyce. They seemed set to appoint him, got cold feet then he started mouthing off, they panicked and appointed him anyway. If we are not convinced by him, move on. It seems as if they’re thinking “well he will do but let’s see if we can get someone better.” The classic compromise appointment like Steve MacLaren for England. If there is someone better then go all out and get him. In the mean time the only people knocking on our door seem to be the agents of the usual suspects.

I’m with you Matthew, how can he even be considered for the job, I’d honestly sooner have Allardyce than Rafa, please Moshiri let’s get this next appointment right cos these last 4 years have been an absolute shit show

News from @EvertonNewsFeed on Twitter:

🗞Rafa Benitez is said to be getting cold feet regarding the Everton Managers job due to protests from fans. People close to Benitez have advised him to reject the job.Benitez was offered the job Wednesday and was expected to be appointed on Thursday (source: @footyinsider247)

Yay, there might still be some hope! We can chase off the pepper grinder gringo!

Some reports are saying Spurs are now coming in for Nuno.

Mark #127 I'm not sure why you think Rafa would be the best manager since Kendall. His CV doesn't match up to Carlo's and he's not done much since he left Chelsea 8 years ago.

All this speculation made me even think Lennon (on the radio toaday and sounding very impressive) would be a dream appointment!

Augustus Caesar (guising as our present day Moshiri re Everton), asks "Who in Judea can I put in charge of child welfare?" Hmm? Err, hmm? bumble-bumble-bumble??? - "I know, that great bloke, Herod Antipas!"

And the rest is history.

Ruinous to Augustus Caesar eventually.

All views respected is right, and it’s the Circus Maximus, pending at Goodison Park.

Some serious genuine and honest agreement to be drawn up soon, as this season is in jeopardy.

The rumours of a Rafa deal being close are in full volume again.

No no no, I don't want a past it, safety first Rafa and I don't want the similar dull Nuno.

Nothing personal but football wise it's two similar mid-table managers that play pretty dull, counter attacking football with no plan b.

Mr Brands, the full time, very well paid, board member needs to be producing better ideas, more options and looking for the very best manager and player's for Everton.

We want the best, now, next season and the next few seasons after that. Mr Brands over to you. I'm just hoping the media have it all very wrong.

Isn't Uncle Alisher pushing for Benitez, according to the Internet? If so, surely the can has been kicked well down the road now and its only a matter of time.

Personally I don't really care who the manager is, or who he used to manage - as long as he does a good job at Everton, and let's face it, nobody really has since glass-ceiling Moyes. And even that was painful in the end.

The farce that is EFC will continue to roll, no matter who the manager is.

Looks like it is a done deal to be announced this weekend.

Ultimately he will get the same treatment as any other manager who comes in. If we are challenging the top six and playing decent football, with purpose and identity, he will be accepted by a majority. I think fans will accept an 8th, 6th, 4th trajectory over the next three seasons, with a cup thrown in. Is that too much to ask?

Alternatively if we are bottom half and playing clueless football the firing squad will be justifiably summoned.

The essential recruitment he gets done between now and August will shape his tenure. So this summer’s window is going to be one of the most interesting ever.

Regardless if Benitez is appointed (who cares?), if DF is confirmed as part of the coaching set-up, what does this really say about Everton? I like Ferguson but it’s beyond a fucking joke now….to the point where they’ve (Kenwright and his cronies) worn me down so much the past twenty years I just can’t be arsed with it anymore. Can only say I’m glad I had the eighties as many tortured souls don’t even have that. The day that parasite is shown the door will be one to rejoice

Clearly the many rounds of talks that have taken place between Benitez and Everton are thrashing out the small amount of recompense he will receive for managing such a small club. A million a month FFS! Ancelotti was on less.

Nick, with friends like you ("I like Ferguson") who needs enemies ("The day that parasite is shown the door will be one to rejoice"). Maybe someone should arrange for you to meet the guy so you can make your mind up.

The back room staff joining the new manager will us an awful lot of how he intends to manage the club. I sincerely hope the usual suspects are not part of the team.

Dave@194, who are the usual suspects? Is Sammy Lee going to sit with Duncan?

Steve - meet which guy? It’s the Chairman I’m talking about…you know, the one that has nothing to do with the running of the club anymore (lol). Not Ferguson.

Is there anybody more acceptable being considered or is the Board just so slow of thought. I read somewhere that Potter's compensation for release from his Brighton contract is only 3M and while not everything I would want, I would find him more acceptable than the Waiter who really is living up to his nickname and without any sense of shame.

My latest preference is Favre as it fits with my earlier ones.

I'd swerve Potter right now. We've done the "imagine what he could do at a bigger club" thing. Parallels to Moyes going to United. Imagine what he could do with better resources and backing are what his media mates were plugging at the time.

I hope Potter is not where the club's thinking is.

Like Chris Wilder, let's see how he does next season. Personally I think this is too early for him and Everton, but that's just me.

I hopeful of the Favre link, but I'm, well, being hopeful again, which is not healthy!!

James (195), Sammy Lee is not part of the coaching staff at Everton, at the moment, that’s who I was referring to.

It’s sounds like Rafa is on the verge of the verge of the verge of the verge……….

Why isn't Paolo Fonseca's name being considered for the Everton job? Supposedly, he dropped Tottenham when he discovered that the tax he would need to cough up was much more than he expected. I believe the actual reason was that the deal was done and dusted and ready to be announced when suddenly Gattuso became available and the new Italian Sports Director that the great Daniel Levy appointed dropped Fonseca and flirted with Gattusso. But then the woke social media caught up with Gattuso's past comments and then Spurs were left high and dry! Spurs' managerial search has been much more farcical than Everton's and their supporters must be seething now.

Anyway, back to Everton - if Fonseca is available and it is the small matter of offering him an acceptable net pay, he would be a much more palatable managerial appointment than Rafa Benitez. ABB!

Seeing that every outlet has pretty much agreed that Benitez has or will be offered the job, and that he has been interviewed on numerous occasions then you have to ask what's causing the delay in making the appointment. Could it be they are trying to gauge the feeling of the fans by the uptake in season ticket sales, or is the split in the boardroom causing the most anxiety.

Brian, apparently they made Benitez swear an oath to keep Duncan in a job until he pays off his debts. This took some time as Rafa is scared of Big Dunc.

I’ve just renewed my season tickets Brian, and the girl on the phone said they are all now referring to most calls as the Benitez fume. She said a director asked them all to gauge what the fans were saying at the beginning of this week, and to also find out who most Evertonians want.

She said one member of staff had reported back that if Benitez gets the job, she will probably have to get divorced to keep working for Everton, but most Evertonians, don’t seem to know who they want, just who they don’t want.

She said someone had etched into a big wooden door, we should give the job to the big-man, and she just hopes if Everton do appoint Rafa Benitez today, that it’s not until at least one minute past five, when she finishes work!

I personally don’t think the split in the boardroom would make a blind bit of difference, because once the money-men make up their minds, it’s very rare for them to listen to the views of other people, and I’m more interested to see who speaks to the fans through the media, regarding why it’s Benitez, once this very, very divisive decision is finalised, and brought into the public domain.

Colin, I heard it wasn’t even discussed, and Duncan is soon going to be working for manager number six

Surely it's because nobody is brave enough to give Duncan his P45

4-0 down at Anfield and the reds start singing “there’s only one Rafa Benitez” ….

Come on, where are the banners?

Minus the swearing of course.

Dunc is proving to be nothing more than a leech, a hanger-on who gets foisted onto any incoming manager.

I've never bought into the cult of Duncan Ferguson. Spent more time injured or suspended than playing. How many failed managers have his incredible coaching skills aided now????

We've said it enough before, but Duncan being on the coaching staff or not has to be the new Manager's decision. If he's there, it is on merit and because the manger sees benefit in having him there. No other reason.

I've just seen the report mentioned earlier about Favre doing a last minute u-turn on Palace. So, all set to manage in the Premier League. Cold feet about England or head turned by another English club??

I think I'm getting hopeful again. I have to stop it.

It will be Nuno back in the frame for Palace, Favre to Tottenham and we get Benitez confirmed.

Daniel, exactly. How did a striker who averaged 23 games per season over 10 years with the club with a strike rate of less than 1 in 4 become such a huge name with the supporters?

Because he usually saved his best games for Liverpool and Man Utd, and could be absolutely unplayable on his day

Harsh to say it, but a frustrating player for me. Almost a reluctant footballer who never realised his potential or hit consistency.

A West Ham friend of mine described Andy Carroll in the same vein when he was with them. Unplayable on his day, but just wasn't like that consistently enough so never hit his potential and spent more time on the sidelines.

Probably some parallels between those 2 players?

I am sorry to jump in on the small club jibe, but if we were considered a big club we would have no problem in getting a suitable manager, it seems we are ending up with, if I cant get a better offer from another club I will consider an offer from Everton.

Tony 204

I like you have renewed my season ticket my son does it along with his and my Grandsons, I think he might have done it online as he usually does. How interesting to hear the girl who took your call referred to them being inundated with calls about Benitez. I only suggested in my earlier post that something must be delaying the announcement and suggested they may be gauging the response to season ticket renewals before making the announcement. I read today that Usmanov had consulted with Abramovich before approaching Benitez, so you are asking a rival who you should appoint as your next manager, you couldn't make this nonsense up.

Well they cant delay the announcement to long as the players are back at Finch Farm for pre season training in 2 weeks, except those who are playing in the Copa America or the Euros.

Brian (214), if Usmanov did consult Abramovich about Benitez maybe it was because Abramovich hired Benitez in the past and was asking a friend (?) what he thought of him as a manager.

From what I understand its us trying to persuade Benitez not the other way round

Relax people, enjoy the Euro's for the next few days and forget all about the incoming new manager as according to Alan Myers I don’t expect any news today, or probably not over the weekend either

Andrew@210

Probably because supporters have an affinity with certain players, regardless of ability or stats. Duncan is a folk-hero in many ways. He was a heart on yer sleeve footballer, someone we could relate to (no I haven't done any time either).

Some of my favourite footballers haven't been superstars. If it was all about stats football would always have been as boring as it is these days.

Think it's best to give Potter a wide berth for now. I remember Mike Walker doing what Potter has and look what happened there!

Rumour has it that Nuno wanted to rely on Mendes and bring his own staff in displacing Duncan but Benítez was willing to work with anyone.

That speaks a lot about people's principles and although Benitez has apologized and tried to usher away the "Small club" jibe I have to say a decent person wouldnt have made those comments in the first place.

The fact we cant find a more suitable replacement for Ancelotti speaks volumes about how the club is run.

The fact the small club comments have wound so may fans up tells you he got one over a lot of our fans.

Would fans of a big club be so bothered or just accept that it was a cheeky swipe at the locals rivals. It appears it did more stirring than a cookery school.

But no, no, no, please not Rafa. Yesterday's so so manager.

Brands to earn his corn by feeding misinformation whilst finalising top target.

"Rafa Benitez will hold more talks with Everton this weekend to finalise his contract; he’s planning to bring Paco de Miguel with him as his fitness coach and intends to have discussions with Duncan Ferguson about being his assistant. No indication when announcement will be."

Not a fan of the Daily Mail. Alway feels like you're being lectured to by your grumpy old Aunty who thinks they know better in an "in my day" kind of way.

But Dominic King, like him or not, is another who isn't always far off the mark. I hope this time he is; not that I'm in the "turn in my grave" camp at the appointment of Benitez, just that I hope we are looking at other options. I appreciate my opinions are probably way off what the club is thinking and I suspect Benitez is more what they are.

if there's any truth in this it's worrying. Not because it's Benitez necessarily, even though I appreciate that choice riles a large majority. But because yet again, it appears a pre-requisite for an Everton manager is then must have Duncan Ferguson and likely the Finch Farm crew imposed upon them.

In a parallel universe, Pep Guardiola has expressed interest in the Everton job.

Pep: "Mr Moshiri, your project looks very exciting. I've achieved everything I can at City and I want to do the same, leading the new Everton into Bramley Moore Dock".

Everton: "Pep, we're flattered and would be delighted to welcome you. We have a really good coaching set up here, full of ex-Everton players who understand the club. You'll fit in perfectly and be able to lead them to success"

Pep: "I bring my own coaching team in"

Everton: "But you keep Duncan and Unsy right"

Silence. Phone goes dead.

Everton: "Pep"?

Everton: "Pep"?

Everton: "He wasn't right for us anyway. He wouldn't have understood the club and isn't an Evertonian. Have we still got Eddie Howes' number? He said he was an Evertonian didn't he? And he'll like Dunc and Unsy. He's our man."

This is getting embarrassing. The old boys club guaranteed employment because they are part of the furniture.

The dogs are going to end up with 3 walks today at this rate and it's not even 10am. At least it's Saturday so I can have an early drink.

When he comes, I don’t think there will be any welcoming ‘Rafa Fantastico’ banners on display. Any suggestions of possible printable banners?

They’re waiting until Tuesday when the world and his dog will be obsessed with the Eng/Ger match to bury the bad news

There’s still time to offer the job to Mancini. The best manager at the euros.

John post 223. Possible banner could be where Gona cater for the cup. Or we want some silver not silver service

I'm still hopeful we're sounding someone out from the Euros Colin. That's why this has been protracted and has taken over a week. Feels like longer mind.

Just don't let it be Southgate.

The press are reporting the deal is close and more talks planned, I don't believe a word of it this deal has been done for days and they are just letting the days go bye so we get more used to the inevitable. As someone suggested probably Tuesday as all the interest will be on England. But I will be very interested to see who is at the press conference when it is finally announced. Our owners Usmanov/Moshiri see Rafa the red as a safe pair of hands to guide them through to the completion of the new stadium, which will then allow them to make their money and sell the club.

The only thing that would derail this plan is if we got into a relegation battle and Rafa the red has already taken one Premiership side down, and with this group of players and a toxic Goodison if we get off to a bad start has all the ingredients of a disaster waiting to happen. This would be so Everton after the 2nd longest unbroken spell in the top division they hire for the first time an ex red as a manager and he takes them down.

Meanwhile Leicester City continue to add young hungry players to their already impressive young team. We wait for Bills ex player acolytes to decide who they want to manipulate next as manager, ably assisted by the season by season manager by manager underperforming players..oh the joy of being an Evertonian!

John #223,

He managed the shite but it’s alright,

Altight,

Alright,

Alrightttt,

Rafa Benitez!

New Years Day 2025 07.00 get out of bed have a quick swill brush teeth run downstairs grab paper from the letterbox straight to back page slump down in chair no news on Everton Manager yet, Benitez interviewed in his bed at Bide a Wee rest home on BBC Breakfast announces "we think at last we have solution to Duncan Ferguson position at Everton. He is to replace the late Bill Kenwright as Chairman without Portfolio" now we can get down to business alas some of my backroom staff have shuffled off this mortal coil/snuffed it/kicked the bucket/brown bread/deceased so I won't be taking the Everton job the board are in the process of contacting the other candidates aided by Madame Petulengro the famous Medium.

John 223 the banners should say 'Welcome' above a 30-foot picture of Rafa Nadal!!

Folks, I am absolutely certain that the deal has been done, the only issue now is the best time for them to announce it.

Mancini is like all other managers who are doing well at present, they are going nowhere near us! Leave a potential World Cup winners to throw in his lot with a mid table team?

People can give out all they want about Rafa but he does appear to want the job in less than ideal circumstances.

"New Years Day 2025 07.00 get out of bed"
Note to self: Decline Len's invitation to his New Years Eve Party for 2025

I honestly see nothing to like about this appointment.

Bad history.
Bad football.
Unimpressive recent record.
Not a modern coach.
Doesn’t bring through young players.

On the last point it’s worth noting that in his last season with Newcastle he sold two youngsters (Ivan Toney and Adam Armstrong, the two top scorers in Championship last year) to buy 26 year old Yoshinori Muto, who was crap.

Very, very disappointed. If he does not do very well, pretty much from the start then the crowd will surely turn against him. Seems such an illogical decision to me. He’s not a terrible manager and no doubt we will plod our way towards 9th-ish but it’s more proof of no long term strategy from our board other than risk averse survival.

John Hughes @128
Brendan Rogers rented his house to Klopp,then about 3 years ago Liverpool FC bought it from Rogers.

Sam, I'm trying to get myself to think positively about Benitez. You've just taken me back a few steps with Muto!

Sorry Robert! I’m trying to find some acceptance for this but it is proving elusive!!

The best I could say is that it would feel very Everton somehow if one of our most hated managers ended up doing a decent job and winning our first trophy in decades!

For a banner, how about 'We got the Benitez, but we lost the Rafael'?

How about wrong man, wrong decade?

Still hoping against hope that it's not Rafa but it's time for Unsworth to move out and manage a championship club and Dunc should take on the youngsters.
That way the new guy can bring in his own staff, as long as it's not Sammy Lee.

I confess I'm a little puzzled at the moment, The majority of people who come into our shop who talk about Everton don't seem particularly phased by Benitez coming in and tend to take the view if he arrives, support him, it's the team that matters! There are one or two who would prefer somebody else but good managers are a bit thin on the ground. Could it be that ToffeeWeb is a bit like the comments column in newspapers where highly vociferous minorities tend to make the most noise and the rest are fairly indifferent? Personally if he arrives I will clap to indicate support because the last thing our team needs at the start of the season are a bunch of foul mouthed yahoos screaming abuse and waving obscene banners.

Brendan #234

Ha ha not a miserable git just I'm up at 07,00 every day of the year to let my Mrs carers in, I know it's a long shot my Mrs still being here but they might be coming to wash my parts.

Len #243
Well if it's going to be one of those parties...count me in! Best wishes to the Mrs, BTW.

Steve @243 a variation on your theme in Spanish.

El hombre equivocado, el momento equivocado, el lugar equivocado

Wrong man, wrong time, wrong place.

All of the resevations that many Evertonians have about Benitez, won't stop Moshiri from appointing him according to Phil Kirkbride. What Kirkbride seems to ignore is the standard of player that we have available, compared to what Chelsea have had, which meant that Abromovich could afford to hire the manager of his choice, I'm not certain that Moshiri can do that given the paucity of our squad.

Moshiri not afraid

I think one of the biggest reasons for getting Benitez is his record in the transfer market. If he brings in the equivalent of Alonso Mascherano Barry in midfield, Torres And Bellamy up front, and (ok that's too many liverpool players but he had a rock sold defence too) I will be well pleased after the delights of Iwobi Bolasie Tosun and (the list actually runs to the crack of doom)

Something beginning with F
Its happening

First derby match with the RS and they score. Who does Benitez cheer for?

Kevin 246, let’s just hope we don’t get lumbered with Aquilani, Rivera, Ngog, Dossena and Cavalieri!!!!

Ron I think most will initially offer their support but this has the potential to go horribly wrong quickly. That’s my main concern. It’s possible that things could implode at a time when we need stability to get BMD built and to oversee a smooth transition from Goodison. I hope I’m wrong, but I can see banners on the terraces and fans turning on Moshiri. I’m not bothered by his previous comments etc, and agree any manager is a gamble, but I am bothered that the appointment of Benitez could see things turning quite toxic and I can’t for the life of me work out why other managers who are less problematic are not suitable if all Moshiri wants in the short term is stability.

noone's perfect Kevin! remember Mick Ferguson

Ron 242 I totally agree. We have to give him every chance if appointed.

Done deal. Tuesday is High Noon!

Anthony is right in my opinion Ron. Even in the microcosm that is ToffeeWeb, there is a Brexit / Scottish Independence like divide between Made Up/Satisfied (46%) and Disappointed/Gutted (54%) if you look at the latest poll on this thread.

More divisive than I anticipated as that makes it a pretty even for-against split. I initially thought most would be unified in being against it. For the record, I'm in the disappointed camp. Nothing to do with his Liverpool connections or his comments made many years ago as Liverpool manager, I'd just rather have gone with other options for footballing reasons.

That tells me that most will get behind it, but he won't be given time by the majority of the supporters. The moment it goes wrong or we get fed up of Ancelotti style football that annoyed many last season, this will go toxic early. And that will even be those in the satisfied camp I suspect. That's going to be the main challenge with this appointment.

Some of the spats we witnessed here over Ancelotti will pale into insignificance and look like they were best mates have a laugh with each other.

Just been confirmed on Sky spurts. Rafa the blue. Hahaha.

Tuesday isn't there a game on that day? Crafty barstewards

Heads to the wine fridge before going to the pub.

"The Waiter is Blue" to go alongside the Bird is Blue for the banner?

I don't get the support for Benitez. I can, just about, get over the infamous 'small club' comment and fact that he managed 'them'. What doesn't appeal to me one bit is his recent record. What warrants his becoming our manager based on this record? This whole process stinks. I have no confidence in the board whatsoever. With the greatest respect to fellow Evertonians who applaud this appointment, I simply cannot.

Barry Hesketh @ 245

Everyone on this site should read your post and have a think before further utterances come forth.

I'm so surprised (but shouldn't be) at the numbers who are prepared to overlook / ignore that observation.

Haven't we just done the same thing with Ancelotti and what did Ancelotti say: "I'm no magician!" and shorlty afterward: "Arrivederci !".

A lot of us are in an existential crisis, Julian. Only time will tell if this appointment is a stroke of genius or an unmitigated disaster. I’m sitting on the fence with this one. I don’t give a monkeys about his past. I will wait and see what he’s doing with us first.

The only time I will ever applaud the FSW is if he manages to beat the RS at Anfield races to the centre circle to celebrate then bolts down to the Kop and flicks them the Vs a la Sheedy - in other words I’m never applauding him.

John #223
Banner should read:
Rafa B - R.I.P.
Free the Belfast 1

Tom @259 & Barry @245. I read that link and it tells me what I and many thought all along, especially as it appears he's been talking to Abramhovic, which makes sense with the Usmanov links. It seems Moshiri is following the path of appointing proven past winners, which is what Chelsea eventually settled on, as did City.

This probably means that he's still willing to spend, but just wants someone who he thinks he can trust to spend it wisely and achieve a level of success. Ancelotti and now Benitez.

Not my choice, but I'm not the person spending millions of my own money. If this is a done deal, I'm switching focus to the team. As if Ancelotti had still been in the chair, we had a good window last summer. Add 4 or 5 more of similar standard this summer and the squad suddenly looks different.

I guess one thing we can't label at Benitez is what was thrown at Ancelotti. He has managed and got the most out of average teams. I would suggest Newcastle were in a worse position could with having an owner not willing to invest. From my dealings with Newcastle fans, Benitez was very popular and they would take him back.

All aboard the Everton rollercoaster for the next turbulent ride. On the pitch and in the stands.

Has the Benitez appointment been confirmed then?

The banner should read: "CHECK PLEASE!"

I'm trying to be more reserved Barry as I used up my 40 lives on the other Benitez thread (the one that got to 1878), so I can't post on there. Difficult though, but I understand the editors' principle.

All but confirmed by the sounds of it so seemingly inevitable. But not yet definite. I'm clinging again!

Link

Thanks Dan 266.

Fascinating turn of events with both Rafa and Mosh putting their balls on the table it's the biggest shit or bust call I've seen in a long time.

Well thank god that's over with.

Im not gonna go all school yard " he said nasty things about us". Hes our manager, the manager of one fuck up of a dysfunctional football club.

If he can give us stability and get us playing joined up footy then all the better.

We badly need stability, he gets the city so probably has more in common with us than the outsourced franchise across the park.

I'll welcome him with open arms and hope he can turn the shit show of a team into a functioning unit which we haven't seen since God knows how long.

Sky say he’s 61 in the second paragraph but he’s “aged 62” later in the article. He will be 90 odd by preseason

Let’s hope we start well next season. 2 defeats and there will be hell to pay in the ground.

I think we all will be Kieran.

Absolutely the wrong appointments. A nail.in the coffin for what has been a terrible 5/6 years with Moshiri as owner.

I have zero excitement or anticipating for this coming season now. Just a furthering of the 'mehness' that has been.

We'll probably finish 10th again, maybe 8th, maybe 13th We could possibly even get relegated.

But this appointment is indicative of the way the club is being ran, so any improvement, any chances of development and becoming a top team again are just impossible, those running the show are incapable of running a top football club.

Moshiri, Kenwright and co need to do one.

Anyway, at least I won't be in the least bit tempted to spend my money on going to games or anything else this season. So quids in.

I thought it would be hard to walk away but the thought of him in the dugout actually makes it much easier!! I will not step foot inside Goodison until he has gone and they can do what they want with my 2 season tickets. I didn't see Arsenal clamouring for Benitez !! If Moshiri or anyone doesn't understand my decision- well those that don't (understand) don't matter !!

Moshiri when he allowed Kenwright to con him said he was determined that Everton didn't become "a museum".

If he appoints Benitez he'll have succeeded. We'll have become an amusement arcade, for everyone else in football.

This is like Moby Dick with Captain Ahab (Moshiri) leading us to our doom in pursuit of the legendary whale (prem title) egged on by Smithers.

Can we not even give the guy a chance?.He might actually do a good job.

House of Horrors more like it, Don. I’m prepared to do so, Paul. But not for long.

Paul@276.

No we can't because a large majority are small minded.
They would rather take a knife to a gunfight than at least give the man a chance.

I'll guarantee you one thing though... if he gets us playing football and actually delivers the unthinkable, a trophy then all the naysayers will flock back.

If on the other hand he's as shit as the last 5 (yes 5) I'll take the told you so shrieks of hysteria.

Kieran, think the 62 year old mentioned is Carlo Ancelotti. Don't think Beintez won the CL at Madrid

Collette 239, thats s good one!

Why is everyone on about Duncan? Every single club in the league has one or two of their own on its bench. Don't we need his connection to the players and his visible passion on the sidelines?

I reckon Rafa will be a good appointment. Worst case scenario, he’s a safe pair of hands. Best case scenario, we compete regularly in Europe and pick up some silverware.

I am holding onto hope that this Benitez talk is just too stupid to be true.
If I am wrong then can somebody put a banner out for me with the words
‘Welcome to the Small Club Rafa.’
‘ Moshiri Out’

Interesting Tottenham were set to appoint Nuno now it's hit the rocks as he did his usual "one more detail" routine and explained that he AKA Jorge Mendes would be in charge of transfers. At what point will Nuno realize he's being black balled due to his puppet master?

To use a well coined phrase, I support Everton not the manager. I never wanted and couldn't stand every moment Allardyce was in charge, but I supported Everton and wanted them to win every match he was in charge for. I was pleased when he departed.

Some may understand, but this feels like managerial parallels to when we signed Dave Watson the player. We didn't have internet then, so it would have been interesting to see the reaction. But initially it was massively unpopular on the terraces as I recall. Not only was he replacing a favourite in Derek Mountfield, but he was a red. He didn't have the best of welcomes.

But he proved us wrong, won a league title and later an FA Cup, so won us over.

I'm not comfortable with this, but he gets a chance from me if it happens.

Small minded!! You are the one happy with happy with the 'small club 'tag. Never would I endorse the 'knife to a gun fight ' merchant either. He and Kenwright started this acceptance of mediocrity. I don't care how many trophies he might win with us - would be tainted anyway. I will not be back until he has gone! Have you forgotten he took Newcastle down and won only 38% of fixtures in China. You enjoy whatever he serves up- like I say I will be back when he has gone.

There are no guarantees about how good, or bad, managers will do when they join a new club,Ancelotti is proof of that. Benitez is a very experienced manager, been let down in the past by the owners of Liverpool and Newcastle who both refused to strengthen the club with new players when it was obvious they were needed, one lot nearly bankrupted Liverpool before they were forced to sell the club, Newcastle are in the process the club, the deal has been stuck for about eighteen months, the owner is hated by the majority of Newcastle fans, Benitez would be welcomed back by most of their fans.

No guarantees as I said butI will be surprised if he doesn’t make us better to watch than we were last season and have us reaching for and attaining a top six spot at least, I understand the fans who don’t want him, it could have been better, although I can’t name a better manager who would have wanted to come here, it could have turned out to be a lot worse, but we’ll never know. I’ll give Mr. Benitez a chance to prove himself.

Completely agree with that, Dave. Handsome is as handsome does, whoever it is.

Dave

I wouldn't count on the football being better. For one thing the only skillful player is leaving, for another Rafa is a boring defense first joker.

It's like one neighbor drives a Ferrari, we went out and bought a Porsche but it turned out to be a dud. Now we're replacing it with our neighbor's old Ford Cortina that he dumped off at the salvage yard.

You only have to look what Neville Southall and Andy Gray are saying about this appointment. It is so divisive and unnecessary! Usmanov is a sponsor of Everton and nothing more right now. He's listened to Abramovich who was pleased with Benitez in 2012. If it was 2012 the appointment may be more easy to understand. It is 2021 and it is a toxic appointment.

I'd take Benitez, I don't see many good alternatives.

As far as the 'small club' jibes concerned, he knows we are not a small club, we know we are not a small club.
Small clubs don't get 40,000 every home game, I've no doubt he was riled by all the insults us Evertonians had been thowing at him.
I suspect it was a nah nah na nah nah moment on his behalf.

Don Hutchison has a foot in both camps and he says it will start and end in tears

Interesting. Moshiri out?

Let's get rid of someone willing to pump money into the club, not just on the pitch but in terms of providing a stadium to be proud of that will help regenerate one of the most deprived parts of our City.

He may have been ill advised to date, but with a stadium on the banks of the Mersey and relocating our Headquarters to the most famous building in our city, you can't deny his will and intent to put us on the map. But let's get rid.

Are we all about keeping Duncan? Is that what we've become because he scored a couple of goals against Liverpool and Manchester United but largely underachieved in his career but is a good Evertonian?

I don't have an issue with keeping Duncan if he's there on merit. If you want a passionate Evertonian, employ me or any other contributor to this website.

Let the manager manage. And that includes appointing his own team. Not having keeping Duncan Ferguson as a pre-requisite of being eligible for the job.

I think that's it for me.

I don't care about a small club jibe, I don't care hes a redshite, I just cant stand the logic that his appointment represents.

We'll be looking for another manager in 6 months time when he'll be known as agent Benitez

Hell, why don't we just go for Alex Ferguson?he was good once right?

Love the supporters, fucking hate the club right now

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12342325/rafael-benitez-everton-set-to-appoint-former-liverpool-manager-as-carlo-ancelottis-replacement

If this happens, it will be the most disappointing day of my football-life. This is a worse appointment than Allardyce, and that was a sad day indeed. This club just keeps on getting lower and lower by each day. My love for Everton will go into hiatus for the time he will be in charge, albeit that won't be for long, since fans will turn on him pretty quick when he loses a couple of games and the atomsphere inside Goodison gets toxic. How on earth can the board appoint a manager that half of the supporters don't want, and almost a third despise? I assume that the 30% who voted "gutted", including me, are doing just that. Talk about alienating your fans... This is the lowest my beloved Everton has ever sunk in my long time supporting the club.

This is a former red who publicly humiliated us, and now he want's to manage us? Where the F is your dignity? If he had any he wouldn't even consider this job. And that isn't even the worst part of the story. The worst part is that he isn't a very good manager anymore, living on old merits. The pinnacle of his carrer, the CL-win in Istanbul, that was a case of Milan downing tools at half time, totally outplaying the them in the first half, leading 3-0. The Shite then desperately pushing everything forward in the second hoping for the best, and as usual, got very lucky. He's finished and the sooner the board realises that the better. This will only lead to another manager-search a couple of months into the season, when supporters at Goodison spews their galls out towards him after losing a few games and playing trepid, boring, defensive football...

For the record I've never criticised the appointment of any previous Everton manager, but this bloke was small-minded and venal enough to refer to all of us, every single fan, as "small" despite us having been a club fourteen years before his beloved Liverpool existed, with the most points of any team in the top division ever since football was invented.

I assume the "let's-give-him-a-chance" brigade also fondly look back on the time the club deteriorated under that other notable Kopite, Johnson.

Lynne#285.
Lynne don't let your season tickets go as it'll be really hard to get season tickets again with the size of the waiting list and BMD etc.
Simply keep them but put each home games seat up for sale.
That way you keep your season ticket place but don't have to attend until he's gone!

Interestingly, on Twitter, those who are in favour of his appointment also demanding contract extensions for Gylfi, Tom and Gbamin! (thats right!) and keeping Delph and Gomes! Now THAT would be swell!!!

Surely this is confirmation that Usmanov is pulling Moshiri’s strings as he looks to protect his investment now and down the road. It’s a case of be careful what you wish for. Do we or do we not want Usmanov’s millions bankrolling our club and moving into BMD? If yes, then we will have to get used to decisions being made that ignore the past and look to the future. For many that can only be a good thing?
For all the abuse Billy Boy takes, I can’t for the life see him supporting this decision.

Danny O'Neill #292. Agree 100%. Thanks for putting a mature complexion on the subject regarding Moshiri's commitment to the club and the "jobs for the boys" mentality.

Dead man walking from the moment he has signed his contract, Never has a manager's fate been so dependent on his first 12 matches in charge. if the team starts badly he is done.

A quarter of me says I don’t want Benitez, a quarter of me says I’m not arsed, as I support the club, and the eleven players out on the pitch, and half of me says thank fuck it’s not Allardyce. Players and managers come and go but supporters are around for ever. Those of you saying “That’s it, I’m done until Benitez goes”, well see ya, don’t let the door smack your arse on the way out. Believe me, for anyone threatening to pack it in, and that’s all it is, threats, then there will be plenty of people scrambling for the very few season tickets that will still be available come the start of next season.

Steve #300, sums it up for me. Our early schedule is pillow-soft -- we play only one of the Big Six in the first ten games -- and if we're mid-table on November 1, we're in trouble and he's toast.

I just don't see any good outcomes here.

Rob, l would have Allardyce over RB any day.

He has to get off to a flying start as the first stutter he will be under a ton of pressure. Even kopite aquantences of mine have said it wont work, he's too boring. This wont be Everton football.

I have actually had enough of this fhckkng Moshiri. He is our very own Tony Fernandes.

I guess we can write off this season. Perhaps its not too far fetched to say he will be sacked in 12 games... then Duncan can take over, save our season and we will finish off with a top ten finish again.

Oh, and if its really Usmanov pulling the strings then perhaps he can show his power and buy us Grealish, Dumfries, Koulibaly, Tielemans, Bailey.

Fucking Beneathus.

We will never pack it it or walk away.

I won't. I'm Everton. We are Everton. I am and we always will be.

Birthright. It always will be.

Each to their own, David, but the day Allardyce was appointed, I felt sick, embarrassed that that vile piece of shit was the manager of our club. The away game at Burnley which we lost 1-0 when he walked right passed the away section, giving him dogs abuse, with a big smirk on his face, the away game at Huddersfield, which we managed to win, and 3000 away fans were singing “Fuck Off Sam Allardyce” as he gave a sarcastic wave to us, are just two games that stick In my mind of how much he was hated and the fans did not want him here. Benitez does need to get off to a good start though, otherwise, as many have said, the atmosphere will be toxic and could see an early departure. I really wouldn’t be surprised if he only gets a one year rolling contract, less to pay in compensation if it comes to a premature end!

Funnily enough Danny, like you, when I’m out walking the dog, the amount of blues doing likewise, who I stop and talk too, there are not many who are actually against the appointment of Benitez. He wouldn’t be my number one choice, but if everyone is so against it, then do something about it, and I mean REALLY do something about it, other than just threaten to pack it in on some fans forum. I will guarantee you this though, come the first game of the season, and we are allowed full capacity, then believe me, Goodison will be full to the rafters.

Well in, Rob.

This appointment is clearly happening, so I won't waste too much energy protesting against it. But it's a disappointment.

Forget the dubious Liverpool connection for a moment, and just look at his record over the last 5 years. Mid-table mediocrity with Newcastle, and more mid-table mediocrity in China. Not even a cup run to get excited about. It's just completely underwhelming.

And anyone who moaned about Moyes' knife-to-a-gunfight mentality to games against the top teams should prepare themselves for the Benitez approach. I remember a Newcastle game against Man City a couple of years ago that was one of the most brazen displays of 11 men behind the ball cowardice I've ever seen on a football pitch.

As others have suggested, the atmosphere will turn toxic extremely quickly if (and, let's be honest here, when) we lose a few on the bounce.

Just about the only real positive I can find is that this should at least put an end to the tiresome nonsense that Kenwright is pulling the strings. This smacks of Moshiri's usual desire to appoint a 'name' without doing his due diligence.

‘I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager. Thank you so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.’

Rob, l recon he will get a 3 year deal. Why would he come just for a 1 yeat deal? I don't get why he would want to or of course why Moshiri wants him. Its just bizarre.

And you are right. I have had fellow blues saying they wont be going to Goodison till he's gone. Others saying they support the club, players come and go. They are correct of course but why was he even considered?

If Goodison is full on opening day will there be 20,000 booing and 20,000 sitting on their hands?

Moshiri could see quite the backlash for this. I guess we will have to wait and see. This club needed inspiration and instead the fan base is torn.

Of all the managers, in all the world, he had to pick this one!

"Interestingly, on Twitter, those who are in favour of his appointment also demanding contract extensions for Gylfi, Tom and Gbamin! (thats right!) and keeping Delph and Gomes! Now THAT would be swell!!!"

I don't use social media, never will, Soren. I don't need to, to know that those words aren't written by Everton supporters.

Besides his non eventual last six years it’s just efc all over. Big Dunc bankrupt so bill Bali’s him out with a job ( fact, waiter speak ) ceo appointment so appoint from within doesn’t matter if the best man / women for the job ( fact ) another lazy appointment, shiny big name players ooo il have some of that, no tielemans of this world nah that’s not us. Prove us wrong you big catering c**t of a kopite. Welcome to el four rafa 😂😁😩

Although we are highly unlikely to ever find out, it would be interesting to know what was said by Benitez during the numerous interviews he’s had, that convinced Moshiri to appoint him? Of course, Benitez could have just bull shitted his way through each interview, after all it happens in all walks of life. The number of people that I worked with down the years, although pretty ordinary in what they did, could well bull shit their way through a promotion board and end up being promoted.

how many A list managers are there out there? Five?
He's one of them. We in our predicament are lucky to get him (sorry but that's the truth)

Remember how the few Kenwright supporters used to warn 'Be careful what you wish for'? Well, they were bloody right. But then, only a bloody fool would fill our revered chairman's boots to overflowing and then leave him in place as a shield against criticism of his ( Moshiri's ) total ignorance of football in our great city- or any other to boot !

Well, it looks like the gainsayers were right. The infusion of half a billion euros into our near bankrupt club by a football ignoramus has done for us - or is likely to do so. How anybody could choose Benitez to manage Everton gawd only knows.

Only Putin, perhaps ?.

But Bill Kenwright is still here Derek, oh the fuckn irony

Our Russian olly Garth ( more like Ollie hardy so far ) has apparently a ruthless streak and can spot a phoney from a hundred yards. Anyone squirming in the background!

Rob(#313); Don't all these Spanish managers do good interviews? Who would have thought that a man who won the FA Cup and got relegated would get the jobs he has, and now this.

Rafa Benitez as manager takes Everton into new territory and even winning may not be enough

Interesting article. Have we never liked our managers? Even the successful ones? Catterick never seemed popular and many wanted Kendall out.

My only hope is that the contract is full of clauses so we can easily get rid of him if it doesn't work out. So it is becoming clear that it is Moshiri's choice with, if you believe the Chinese whispers, Usmanov 's say so on it as well. With decisions like this no wonder Usmanov is comfortable in the shadows with all things Everton because things are becoming laughable. The club is a shambles, I can't understand how these two have become super rich as there is no rhyme or reason to the choices they are making. It was obvious Ancelotti was a brain dead decision and it is exactly the same with this. You only have to look at what has gone on with Rafa to see that he is on the slide, on the decline. I just hope to be proved wrong, nothing would make me happier but I have no faith it will turn good. It's hard work being an Everton.

The footballing snobbery of some of our fan base shows no sign of abating. We heard all over these pages pre-Ancelotti "We now have a winner", "a world class manager", "a man who has more bling than Mr T". The man with the best CV in our history was so out of his depth that everytime he opened up he got schooled that he resorted to sticking eleven men in our box and hope to score from a set piece.

Now we hear on these pages about Rafa being an A-lister. In what universe? Do these fans never learn their lessons? Rafa in his last six jobs has not had one outright successful job. Even his biggest fans could only argue Chelsea,Napoli and Newcastle were steady jobs or decent and Inter, Real and Dalian were poor. Out of his last six clubs only Newcastle would take him back such has been his incompetence and that's largely because of his political stance with Ashley rather than any achievement. All those clubs bar Newcastle had among their lowest league finishing position in years under Rafa. When you manage elite clubs you are going to win a trophy or two along the way.

Some arguing we are not a small club. Appointing Rafa Benitez tells you exactly the opposite, it is the very definition of a small club mentality. Hiring a 'has been' that will never take you where you need to go. But hey ho we are lucky to get him. Just as we were lucky to get the last guy who took us to twelfth and tenth with the most turgid football many Blues can remember. But this appointment will be worse because the previous one had eighteen months of stoic support from the majority who were dazzled by his reputation. Benitez won't get eighteen minutes.

Is this a Moshiri plan to get rid of Kenwright?

Will this annoy Blue Bill as much as the rest of us that he hands in his resignation in disgust and protest.
Removing Bill would seem unjust given he was the man who brought you in to the club and has guided you through the last few years. Sacking him or removing him from the board would have created a huge media stink outside of Liverpool. It would have been like new team captains forcing Sue Barker to leave Question of Sport, or new presenters getting rid of Bruce or Cilla before they were ready to go.

Now there is a real chance that Bill is just so upset about bringing in Rafa that he leaves and Moshiri has the train set all to himself.

Kenwright will never leave of his own accord. After what he has done to the club, he should have resigned many times over, but he is still a millstone round our necks.

I’ll be back when he’s gone

TTFN

The irony of it all makes me sick to think that poor Bill, has had to put up with these bastards, who just don’t seem to have Everton’s best interest at heart.

I’d rather have another manager who’s recently resigned than Benitez, very good at setting up to play away from home!!!

What’s the betting this appointment is made on Tuesday so that England v Germany grabs all he headlines!

Why do so many people say "fact" after raising what is patently an unsubstantiated opinion?

Martin.
Because they're eejits. Fact.

out of his last ten jobs Conor how many times has he been sacked without having won a trophy?

I keep reading about this attacking flowing football we should be playing. We have been one paced crabs for large portions of the last 30 years. The School of Science and The West Ham Way. Two massive modern day myths that went out decades ago.

Everton at our best in the PL era is when we have battled our way to victory, Dogs of War style. It was never pretty but we had heart. We haven't even done that for years, except Fergusons first game v Chelsea. Let's put the myth to bed.

Win games. Put a trophy on the table and let my 16 yr old lad experience what I did in the 80's and 95. That's all I want.

Looks like it's happening, nothing we can do. Just give the manager a bit of slack, we don't want to be acting like the Chelsea lot did, and we've already seen that vile abusive banner.

He must have some minerals to take the job knowing that so many don't want him anywhere near the club. He can't do anymore than most of the previous 30 plus years.

Rafa isn’t yesterday’s manager, he doesn’t even belong in the last decade. He’s been going downhill since 2009.

He guided Inter to the FIFA world club cup 1 year after they won the treble.
He took Real Madrid south.
Granted he won a couple of cups at Napoli, but their league form went downhill.
He steadied the ship at Chelsea
He took Newcastle down then up again before being outshone by Steve Bruce.
Then he went to China.

His last season at Liverpool was a failure and his signings weren’t a patch on previous years.

Rafa lost his mojo 12 years ago, we’re foolish for appointing him.

I don't think it will end in tears, I think it will end in yawns. 8th place and some very pragmatic football beckons. That is absolutely in line with Moshiri's vision until the stadium is complete. This is all about a very rich man starting to lose patience and taking some unpopular steps to protect his investment.

It’s happening.

The only question now is how are you going to react? What will help Everton the most? What’s the best way to react when things go wrong or get frustrating?

What can we as fans control? We can’t control the appointments, the signings or the tactics. We can control the support we give, the atmosphere we generate in the ground and the wider feeling and atmosphere around the club.

You’ve got to keep the toys in the pram and keep going, however hard that will feel, whatever anyone else is saying and whatever anyone calls you for doing it.

David Pearl @310

"If Goodison is full on opening day will there be 20,000 booing and 20,000 sitting on their hands? "

And 40,000 in disbelief, even amongst those who want him.

What did the Shite sing for Benitez...we need to be be bitter...oops I mean better.

Rob @301 You can say what you like but you are so wrong if you think that those of us do not want to suffer any further humiliation are just making 'threats' about walking away until he has gone. Trust me I have every intention of doing so and I think I will take Brian's advice @296 Thanks Brian. So yes- Rob 'see ya'

The response on here since Benitez has been mentioned as manager is ridiculous. The crying and wailing is like children. So he managed the rs, and his small club comment ( which was taken out of context) is probably true. I have plenty of rs mates who think we are lucky to get a manager like Rafa. He wasn't my first choice but he isn't as bad as it could have been. Howe, potter. Nuno were all mentioned. What have they ever won?.Just give the guy a chance. He can't do any worse than the last 5 managers can he?

The response on here since Benitez has been mentioned as manager is ridiculous. The crying and wailing is like children. So he managed the rs, and his small club comment ( which was taken out of context) is probably true. I have plenty of rs mates who think we are lucky to get a manager like Rafa. He wasn't my first choice but he isn't as bad as it could have been. Howe, potter. Nuno were all mentioned. What have they ever won?.Just give the guy a chance. He can't do any worse than the last 5 managers can he?

Yes- he can

See ya, Lynne. Was nice Not knowing you!

None of the past 5 managers got us relegated, so by definition he absolutely could do worse than the last 5.

Many of the people here who are against Rafa probably think like I do. He's washed up, with no new ideas, has won anything recent worth considering and is most likely looking for his last great payday. All things we want none of. Then you add in the fact that most of us find him a detestable prick, for his behaviour at Liverpool, and personally for his behaviour at Newcastle to foster that terrible fan/owner relationship.

Brian Murray 312, last 2 sentences, brilliant.

The last manager we had was probably one of the best that's ever been. What did he do for us. The worst home record in our history and probably the worst football I've seen in 40 years.

Kevin #314, maybe 10 years ago and even then only maybe. Get a grip mate.
Unless A stands for arsehole.

It's a strange world. My dad always said best we don't know what's ahead because it's never what you expect.
This business is mind blowing. Imagine if someone had come on ToffeeWeb right after our win at Anfield and said
" oh, by the way come July Rafa Benitez will be our manager",
I haven't had a drink this evening but I have that slightly detatched, unworldly feeling that often comes just short of being pissed. You know that brief period when everything is okay and you are quite pleased at your maturity, tolerance and understanding.
Next day, when that mellow moment has long gone and the knot is back in the stomach and you just think " what the fuck". I'm kind of looking forward to getting that moment without drink.
Not many others clubs offer this particular experience. Marketing are missing a trick here.
Everton, the club that give you the hangover without the fun the night before.
Still, it's the club, the supporters and the friends that count; that make being a Blue special. Benitez might just be okay, or even better than that. If not sure he'll give us lots to debate. Walking away is not an option.

Seems to be someone who's "Leaving" Everton on every other thread just lately. Helluva lot of people that don't care anymore, yet seem to be spending time on an Everton website!

I'm pretty pissed at how things have gone and how they are/are going right now, but... keeping a season ticket and selling the seat each week?

What if one doesn't like the next manager, and the next one? Crazy.

Here's what abandoning your team is: no going to games, not watching on TV or online, no ToffeeWeb/other websites, no radio commentary, no reading of the team in the paper.

Don't believe ya!

This nonsense about Rafa being taken out of context has to stop. It's just not true.

"I was really disappointed because one team wanted to win the game and one team didn't want to lose it. Everton put eight or nine men behind the ball and defended deep but that's what small clubs do."

The term "small club" is a direct reference to Everton. Direct.

He called us a small club.

Like him (foolish) or hate him (yay!) let's stick to facts. That's what small clubs do - that's what Everton do. He called us a small club.

It was flippant, arrogant, condescending, and now he's kissing ass because he wants our owner's money.

Small club? Fuck right off. Drown in the Mersey.

There was only one Fat Spanish Waiter. He ate all the food gluttonously, because that's what Fat Spanish Waiters do.

If it's Rafa, it's Rafa. A long-time professional manager.

Let's improve the mid-field and see what happens.

We finished 6 or 7 points off the Europa. 8 points off the CL.

$20 says he accidentally eats an academy player.

Of all the names that have been linked to the vacant managers job, Benitez would be the bottom name and least likely appointment in my opinion.
I could actually have supported a risky decision like Ferguson or Eddie Howe but if this happens then it is a clear indication that they do not give a toss about Everton supporters.
Those same gut wrenching feelings and embarrassing thoughts I had with the Kirkby fiasco are with me one again. Let the protests begin !
The decision making at this club is so reckless that it beggars belief these people making them are millionaires. How can they be so out of touch with reality ?

I'm hoping he'll eat Duncs' fist if he says anything out of order.

Benitez; I won't 'leave' because of it. Pretty hard to leave when your 12,000miles away and I'll always care because I'm hooked, but they've pissed on another portion of the good will I had. Also, unless most have it it wrong, its doubtful it will be a success.

What are they thinking.

People I've never seen here before... ever... are logging on to tell people they've never conversed with that they're bailing out if Benitez is manager.

Signed up and signed on just to say... what exactly?

Pointless.

Mike

In a way I envy the red line crowd. If I could find a reason to liberate my soul from Everton I would but I’m a hopeless Evertonholic with no chance of reform.

It's all very well people criticising those who say this is the final straw for them - it's a lot worse on (anti)social media with people being labelled as not proper Evertonians etc. Again, an inability to accept an opposing view, in a world in which there can be only one right answer.

The proposed move to Kirkby some years ago put fissures in the fanbase which have not truly healed. Personally that was the last straw for me with our major shareholder of that time, particularly as he alone was responsible in my view for the failure to deliver Kings' Waterfront, which would've transformed our club's finances almost 20 years ago - instead of clinging on till he got the big pay out from the new major shareholder.

The new major shareholder will be committing a more egregious error of judgement. Despite the fact his predecessor invested less than the average season ticket holder into the club - his Evertonian credentials got him a pass with many. Moshiri will have no such luxury.

Whilst I won't be one of the fans to completely turn away (my own waning enthusiasm is much more deep rooted and lies within the way the game, sorry, industry has gone), I won't doubt their personal turmoil and pain.

Of course Benitez could come in and fire us up the league, but that will no doubt require yet another costly squad overhaul, which Moshiri may not have the stomach for - plus his more recent "style" of football suggests it won't be the case.

Plus this is Everton, the club of more false dawns than a Vicar of Dibley-themed fancy dress party

Matt Traynor

You say Kirkby was “the final straw” for you and yet here you are years later commenting on something “more egregious.” What could be worse than the final straw? Or are you just another diehard fan with a tendency toward hyperbole? Admit it mate, love them or loathe them you can’t let go. Welcome to the club.

Keiran #359, final straw with respect to the self-appointed Greatest Ever Evertonian.

Like many on here, I'm stuck with the club. Ever since my late father told me I could choose who I supported, but if I didn't choose Everton, I could pay for my own bed and board. I was 3 years old.

Rob post 301, not sure what’s left of you but if you have another quarter does it say giz a decent boardroom! Oh and the interviews it wouldn’t surprise me if the waiter said I only live in the one eyed city quite handy. Ok the jobs yours. Yet another efc lazy appointment like the ceo and ex blues on board whether they the best people or not (probably Dunc excepted because he’s shown something about him although even that was an emotional call because of his finance problems. We could appoint pep and nothing would change while buttons is still hovering about.

Any more final straws il build a house with them although we know how that ended in the story. For those of you outside the city it must be easier or tempting to free yourself from this club. Any success will be tainted if and when they pan over to the dugout and see one of lucifers crew half smirking. Just curious but would he dare just carry on his usual slow methodical hard to beat ( Carlo ) way or change the habit if a lifetime and buy yes buy fast energetic player, full back winger at least. Very hard for any manager to change their philosophy especially at his stage of career. That’s is only hope or the virtual cushions will be raining down on him almost frim day one. Why moshiri why. But of vision. We know he’s stuck in alladins cave with only a hickson scrapbook and a buffoon for company and influence. Daft billionaire bastard.

.
I've seen a lot of opinion over the past week along the lines "Well it's a business, you have to put sentiment/emotion/irrationality aside"

This to me is an odd 'logic' given football, certainly for supporters, kind of doesn't really exist without sentiment/emotion/irrationality.

I'm now too old to get really steamed about the idea of 'Everton manager Rafa Benitez' but you have to admit it'd be pretty incredible if out of aaaaaall the managers (coaches..whatever they're called now) on the whoooole of the planet earth, Everton decided to select the only one who has insulted Everton FC while manager of Liverpool FC and who, to this day, still has his image paraded on the Kop by Anfield's mouth-breathers and mefferatti

"Ahh yes but he's the best available"

Really?

You're 100% sure?

Because in my experience (first game attended 1966) the only thing that's definite (re appointing managers) is that nobody knows anything.

So Nuno thingy?

The Brighton feller?

Lazlo Trousers from AFKZ Jiibrovia?

Any of them fine with me because (certainly initially) I know they'd start with a fresh slate and the backing of all Everton supporters.

There's only about 5 managers (on the entire planet!) who wouldn't and it seems 'we' might be about to appoint one of them.

(nb: and we've already had the other four)

- sigh -

Morning everyone! Well, some inevitably emotive posts, which is understandable.

This is going to be divisive so I'm not going to criticise anyone for their leaning. I don't think or recall anyone saying we we lucky to get Benitez though? I'm not for this by the way, never have been.

Fans always do and always have voted with their feet. Different times, different circumstances, but our match going fan base did so in 1983. Two years later we regularly had double the attendance from that dark day at Goodison. Same manager.

Walk away? Not me. I can't. I never have even in the depths of despair, and I never will. I'm probably the type of gullible fool that the club can rely on to come back for more, who's loyalty they exploit and therefore get away with making decisions like this.

But I'll never walk away. They're my Everton, not their's and not Rafa's.

The dogs need walking.

Dunc has worked with and under a lot of manager s. Also as a player. Admittedly all losers or dull or both but if he’s not ready when he is he ! At least I hope he has the bottle to say the catering kopite that most of the first team are not good enough so forget the bedding in and assessing. Just get at least six first teamers and let Gomes siggy etc go at a loss. Even PSG are not stupid and are stalking us over a fee for Keane no doubt want an extension. Losing a lot of faith in Brands as well he’s been flying under the radar. Not any more mate.

Paul post 341. Tell your kopite mate the only lucky ones are them for not being indefinitely banned after sending Italians home in a box and bricking team coaches setting fire to the luver birds. Fighting with each other in the hour of glory ( I’ve never seen any fans do that ) nah you probably air brushed all that from your mind or pay em lip service. Pat on head little old Everton. Bollox to that kidda.

Danny post 364. Can you lend me your dogs cos the Samaritans keep hanging up on me. Need therapy big time

Brilliant line Andy, Everton give us a hangover but without the fun of the night before.

We are all different, loads like to give it, but very few like to take it though. I reckon I once hated Benítez, as much as anybody on this thread, but never over the small club jibe, even if it did play into the hands of the phonies across the park.

I can’t think of one Liverpool manager who has ever gotten more stick from Evertonians, and when the man gave a bit back, it just made us hate him even more, but I’ve longed for a horrible bastard at Everton for years, just as long as he’s a good teacher, of course.

Reading backwards and Chris@332, absolutely nails what Everton have become, when he mentions West Ham United imo.

I used to look at the Hammers, when I was a kid, they had a steady fan base, used to play some nice football at times, but looked to be very happy being a club, that just went along doing nothing, a replica image of the club Everton became under Bill Kenwright, and even if this is the most unpopular decision we are ever about to witness, at least Benítez, is a very hard nosed thorough professional, words I haven’t heard uttered about my club, since I was a teenager.

I maybe missing something here, but if the owners wanted to appoint Dunc it would, I should have thought, happened by now. Face it, he isn’t getting the job!

Crazy appointment from a fans point of view but I guess if you run the business/club then it makes a bit more sense. He’s proven, he’s still a relatively big name, can still potentially pull in top players and isn’t afraid to mix it with the big boys. I don’t think we should be too snobby about his last few years in management, Carlo had the same kind of recent decline yet we were all delighted at his appointment. I think the same applies to the style of football. Being totally honest, we haven’t played any good consistent style since Martinez first season. It’s all been pretty average since then with the odd string of highlights here and there but on the whole, it’s mostly been turgid. But the second half of last season was truly abysmal viewing. From that point, Benitez has a low benchmark and it shouldn’t be too hard to improve on.

I would have much preferred a young ambitious coach on an upward trajectory but I’ve been wrong about so many things in football that I retain a fair amount of hope and positivity that this appointment can prove many of us wrong. Keep the faith, get behind the team and you never know, a couple of pacy signings could transfer the style and outcome of this team. I don’t think the squad is as bad as many make out.

Great post, Sam. Food for thought.

Brian @ 367, its absolute therapy.

They're hunting dogs. When not chasing squirrels or the odd fox, we sit down and they console me. They look, listen, nod and then see a squirrel again. But they come back to listen.

They've become increasingly worried about me, but we talk about Everton every morning.

There is the problem. We've become a West Ham. Not in the eyes of Evertonians; well not me anyway, but in the eyes of the football world. I am always pleased with the interest when people find out I'm an Evertonian. But then that quickly turns to frustration when I hear Chelsea fans saying "I don't mind Everton but can't f*@king stand Liverpool, you lot are alright". That means we're not a threat. We're nice little Everton.

The price of success is often and unfortunately to not be liked. It's UK culture.

We're nice Everton and no-one is bothered about us. We're everyone's second favourite team just like Wolves and West Ham.

Not my Everton. I want people to dislike us, because in the UK, people resent success, especially in football. When you are competition, people don't like you. We've been too nice for too long. It's nice to be liked, but it means people don't see us as a threat.

Balanced view Sam Bowen @371.

I too wanted a different type of coach, but this appears to be the trajectory the current owner is following. Established name with past success. it's an Ancelotti replacement, not a shift in direction of travel.

Well, Benitez is the Everton manager from Tuesday, from what I've heard.
There's also a massive Murial (for those who loved Corrie) of Duncan (Blood streaming from his cut eye!) and Howard looking down at him from on high, with a great smile on his face. Underneath, in great big letters, it reads,
Duncan, Our Captain
Just along the ground, someone had painted Fuck Off Benitez, which was painted over in the evening by lads from the club.
It looks like Ferguson will be assistant manager.

Ilook at the comments, and one article from a feller who won't give his name, telling us how poor Moshiri's record has been; and how he is failing the club.

Well I remember Kenwrights tenure when he took over the club! A good Evertonian, I don't think so. He was given money to buy his shares, he fucked up us moving to the Kings Dock and wouldn't accept Gregg's offer of loaning the club the £20 million that would have seen us in the best speck in the football world 20 bloody years ago, and Kenwright removed as chairman as well.

He then tried to tell us the ground would lose it's certificate of safety, so we had no choice but move to the "Free Ground" in Kirkby. Thankfully, Keep Everton in Our City fought him in the Courts and won. The final episode, before he found Moshiri to provide the "Rich backer he's wanted for Donkeys Years, was when Gregg wanted to take over the club, and Kenwright suddenly found a backer from Thailand or some where, and the famous phrase was uttered after questions were raised about the backers so called funding "It's in the Bank!" I think it was the Bank of Toytown.
Now we've got lots of comments about how poor the club has been diected, since Moshiri took over, how he only has the Bramley Moore ground in his sights before he sells up and is "idiotic" choice of managers called into question.
Maybe those comments are correct; though I don't agree. Without Moshiri, we'd have been sunk without trace as a club once Moyes left and Kenwright had no other rich backer in line.
Looking at Rafa Benitez as manager. It seems to me the powers that be have discussed the appointment of a new manager long and hard, since Ancellotti dunarunna off to Spain and left the club with little or no notice.

It's certain that there are massive problems to be resolved with the first team squad, as half of them seem unable to even pass to a teammate, let alone run with any speed faster that a stroll.

If Rafa Benitez is seen as the best available manager to steady this club, then I will support the club and the manager. I cannot see anything but severe damage to the club, should anything approaching the level of hostility shown to Alladyce, or even worse, be shown to the next manager.

C’est La Vie. This is Everton.

I’m 100% believe in the the club but life’s battles don’t always go the way we wish, but the acute hope of success and the banter and belief makes me see hope on the horizon and the cup of success is getting closer.

Well it’s genuinely a religion and I’m proud to be an Evertonian, but it is frustrating with out doubt and does play and drain the mind.

The way the years are passing by, let’s hope success comes soon.

Jim # 375 - I completely agree with the sentiments expressed in your last paragraph.

It appears to me that Farhad Moshiri is a very determined man with nerves of steel and he is not for giving up - neither should we.

Given the amount of money he has pumped into this club, if he wants Rafa and appoints him regardless of what the current chairman, DOF and we think about it then we should respect his decision and back him because if he does pull the pin we are well and truly stuffed.

Danny@364 Kevin and Paul called it lucky on this very thread.

Kevin@331- that's such a strange response and a narrow question.
He took over Inter Milan who had just won a treble and they only won a charity shield and a club World Cup. He was only in those competitions because of his predecessor. They weren't in those competitions the next season because of Benitez. Are they proper trophies for the best team in the world at that time?
Real Madrid he won nothing.
Dalian he won nothing
Newcastle he got relegated which enabled him to win a trophy. Maybe if he gets us relegated he could win a trophy for us.

Nobody is arguing about his success at Valencia and Liverpool.

On another thread I showed how poor his teams have done in the League in the last decade or so and it's total rank. Now you are suggesting he's a man who wins trophies. Let's see the trophies won the season before he joined post Liverpool. Rafa took over two Champions League winners (Inter and Chelsea) two teams who finished second (Napoli and Real Madrid) in the league.
Between these four teams they won Seven trophies the season before Benitez as opposed to the five he won and look at the difference in quality.

Pre-Benitez. Benitez
2 Champion Leagues. Europa League
League Title
2 Cup. Cup
Fifa Club World Cup. Fifa Club World Cup
UEFA Super cup. Charity Shield

Note that Benitez left midway through his seasons at Inter denying a chance of a cup but the success of previous managers meant that he had two more UEFA Super cups, two Club World cups and an extra Charirty Shield to aim at during this period. In total he had four more trophies to aim for than his predecessor despite winning two less.

Translating winning B level Cups with some of the best players on the planet to the players he will manage here is far fetched in my opinion. This managers real trophy is in recent underachievement both in Leagues and Cups.

Pre-Benitez; 2 Champions League, League Title, UEFA Super Cup, Fifa Club World Cup

Benitez; Europa League, Cup, Fifa World Club Cup, 2 Charity Shields

Danny post 373. Re your dogs maybe I could be your pal and see us Winalot. Sorry sad puns gallows blue humour. Let’s hope most of us are wrong eh

An interesting point was his time at Inter. Mourinho had just won the treble. Under Benitez they were sixth and struggling when he left. Leonardo came in and transformed them so much that they went on to finish second despite the disastrous Benitez and also picked up the Cup that season also.

I think recording what Benitez has or hasn't done, is only one side of the story.as is the case for any other manager in the supposed short list.
We had a man whose glittering array of honours was fantastic, yet ha still produced some rubbish football after a good start. Half way through the season he, from what I could make out of looking at him, seemed uninterested. Or to put it another way seemed to be thinking "what the feck can I do with this lot!" and buggered of to Spain, at least waiting till the end of the season.

I think winning leagues is beyond us with the squad that we have. We may, with some luck and some new players, win a cup and perhaps, learn to play every match with some heart, guts and will to win.

Certainly not play like Everton in the Community and let weaker teams beat us with all to depressing regularity.

We don't know what managers were interested in the job, nor what sums are available to buy new players, or even if they knew the shortcomings of our squad. I'll bet a Pound to a pinch of dogmuck, that Ancellotti leaving so suddenly from a magnificently paid job, would have made any other top class manager, swerve away from taking over.

I think that if some of the managers who have been quoted on numerous polls, newspaper articles, Click bait articles and "sources" then they would have been in Everton's sights.

Spurs are finding it difficult to get a new manager and they've a brand new stadium and will likely have more money to spend and are in Europe.

What Benitez has or hasn't achieved, to me isn't the point.

It is what he will achieve should he come to Everton that I'm interested in.
Well, Him, Brands and Ferguson, if that's how it turns out, will have a massive job just getting rid of the overpaid wastes of space, we've got in the 1st team squad and replacing them with the best young, players available, who will come to Everton (eg Godfrey) and moulding them into a hard to beat, snarling, hungry and (god forbid) give us something to cheer, rather than players who play like they keep their gold bullion in there footy kecks!

I look at whoever comes in Benitez, or whoever else, and I'll support them and,hopefully, be able to raise a cheer or two with the football on display. Booing them is something I've never done (except to McFadden when he gave the Gwladys St the Upsie) and never will, that's my take on being a supporter.

Well, much against my wishes Brian, we've gone for Pedigree and someone's chum who has a house in the area. Equally bad pun. I'll get my coat and phone a taxi.

My brother, who grew up only knowing the Moyes era is distraught. I would describe myself as incredibly uncomfortable.

Conor, I'm not disputing anything you say and agree with a lot. It just seems this is the path Moshiri is now choosing. He is (in my opinion), trying to follow the Chelsea model. Established names with an, albeit past, history of winning trophies.

Do I agree? No. Is it what I wanted? No.

But it seems it's happening and I support Everton. My main concern over this whole saga is that yet another negotiating stance seems to be the perseverance of Duncan Ferguson's position. I hope that is not the case, but it seems to be so. How will we ever attract a young up and coming coach like the 38 year old Terzic if he's not allowed to bring in his own ideas and coaching team when there's a near 50 year old who has never managed on a permanent basis but commands legend like status and influence at a club when he was never a legend and has achieved little?

It's not confirmed yet. So we might still announce Rangnick, Terzic, Ten Hag or Favre right???

I think I need a Wetherspoons breakfast. They serve early.

Haha, Danny, Thomas Frosts is open!

I agree with all you've said, including your thoughts on Ferguson. The only reason I think they are so adamant in keeping him as asst manager or whatever, is a safety net if this feller fails,...or the next, or the net...or the next!

Also some fans believe he did an excellent job at Newcastle so I had a look at his time there. Since they were promoted under Chris Hughton in 2010 I calculated their average points total in the Premier League since quite a fair comparison as Mike Ashley has been in control for all these managers.

The list of Managers is quite a poor one; Chris Hughton, Alan Pardew, John Carver, Steve McClaren, Rafa Benitez, Steve Bruce.

There were ten Premier League seasons two of which came from Benitez with an average of 44.5 points per season.
The average of the other eight Premier League Seasons was 45.75 per season and this includes the disastrous spells under Carver and McClaren.

Perhaps we should be looking at Chris Hughton or Alan Pardew instead on this evidence.Benitez averages exactly the same as Steve Bruce

Conor
my point is nearly all of the clubs he's been at have either been pleased with him (so he left without being sacked) or he's won a trophy.
He took over Inter after Mourinho won the lot with an ageing team (the ultimate hospital pass) and obv was sacked at Madrid like everyone else. So I can't see any evidence of real decline, nobody expected him to win trophies at newcastle, or Dalian, so the last proper job was Napoli, and if you work back from there it's been trophies all the way.
He's a top manager, and ruthless with it. He's exactly what we need to sort out the disaster brewing at finch farm, and rather than seeing it as easy money, I think he'll give it everything he's got.

Anybody know why the posts from 320 onwards are narrow and long rather than in their normal format, or have I clicked something to make it like this.

There's a few good breakdowns of Benitez' tactics and recruitment on Tifo Football (youtube channel) which are interesting. Sort of reinforces what we already know:

- he's a details man and pragmatic
- prefers 4231 but will move to 5221 or 451 if there's defensive weakness
- the team revolves around 2 centre mid players who play long balls direct to attackers.
- usually 3 defenders are left to defend rather than both full backs bombing on. Sometimes one of the full backs is a converted CB making the back 4 a variation on a back 5
- the striker is expected to run the channels as well as score goals
- a limited number of attackers will support the striker

Allan and Gomes might be the starting midfield pair, resembling a poor mans Mascherano and Alonso. Doucoure will step in if Gomes can't cut it

Then looking at the way his RS side developed (and NCL too) :

- he's very focussed on physical attributes, work rate, height and pace across the team
- he's not someone to blood youth, but will buy in more established players (albeit sometimes young established players from other clubs)
- most signings are from Spain, Netherlands and France but the net will be cast pretty wide

Matteus Nunes looks a done deal already providing forward drive and pace in a 3 man midfield (but not really goals or assists). Dumfries looks a likely signing at RB / RWB due to pace, height and physicality.

He'll probably also want some additional forward options to supplement DCL and Richarlison who, given their skills & physical attributes, look right up Benitez' alley.

Being critical, he spent a lot of money at the RS and only in one season were they ever competing for the title. Otherwise league finishes were very patchy and sometimes really poor given the quality at his disposal. The recruitment was very patchy too, especially in attacking wide areas which he never quite got right.

Personal view is that if he hadn't inherited Gerrard they would have been a pretty ordinary side. He also flooded their youth team with lots of foreign imports (none of whom made it) at the expense of local youth players.

This is a safe but unremarkable appointment. Probably the best we can hope for is a good cup run. But this is not an appointment to really move us up the league particularly.

Brian,I think it's gone to medieval scroll type, as it's happened to me as well

Brian # 387, I blame Danny. Mines the same, as no doubt everyone's is!!

It's akin to telling your Dad I want a racing bike for Christmas, Christmas Day comes and you run downstairs to find a Sit up and Beg from a Police Auction with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed and built for someone 6'5".
Like Allardyce I wish Benitez wasn't coming but also like Allardyce I hope he can turn Everton into world beaters. Allardyce kept us up but also lumbered us with dross. I now hope the FSW can turn the club around and clear the dross improve the skill levels and push us up the table.

But what I want, as with Martinez Koeman Silva Allardyce, is not what I get but here's hoping the FSW breaks the manager mould that Moshiri's picks have been cast in.

Jamie @350- Benitez called us a small club because we put eight or nine men behind the ball. Thankfully he didn't have to play against Ancelotti's Everton who often played with eleven camped in their box.

Otherwise we'd been labelled 'a minute club', 'a minuscule club', 'a microscopic club' or 'a spec of a club'.
Take your pick.

Small club, small font.

Sometimes I log in here and the font is massive. What's that all about? Today it's tiny, the font as well as Everton.

Benitez was right, we aren't a big club, we act like a small club all the time and we never win anything. Fans of other teams don't see us as a big deal on any level - he was right then and he'd be right now so I never understood why anyone got upset over what he said because he was right!

Who cares anyway whether we're a big club or not? You support your club because you love it, not because they win things. If everyone supported winning teams the league would have about 4 teams in it.

I predict that this will be the worst of a catalogue of poor managerial appointments. I have no issue with the fact that he once managed Liverpool but I simply believe he is wrong for Everton.

Brian (387), I think Michael is selling those blank spaces on one half of the posts to another website.

Why do so many who post here try to be superior by claiming they would never choose Benitez but owe it to the club to remain loyal 'because they are Evertonians' ?

Surely, when this deluded owner makes yet another' balls' up they will not wish me to be stripped of my 'Evertonianism' after 75 years of 'service to the cause' just because I'm not at all partial to the present regime and their yearly abhorrent managerial appointments ?

Will@349 -sorry I didn't realise this was a closed shop. It really doesn't matter to me whether you believe me or not. At the moment we still do not have a manager and until we do I will do whatever I want with regards to the football club I have been supporting since the age of 4!! Trust me there are plenty of Everton managers I haven't liked Gordon Lee, Mike Walker, Walter Smith to name a few. However none have stopped me going to the match or following the team or even thinking of taking a break until this news broke. I will keep my season tickets so I can come back when he has gone and so I can choose my seat in the new stadium. I hope the team do well of course but I won't be there to see it. This appointment makes me sad as it is divisive and I believe will become toxic. I will no doubt shed a few tears if or when his appointment is confirmed.

Great post Robert@388.

A focus on physicality and putting in a shift will be very welcome attributes, but the footballs going to be dire, defensive and pragmatic. Using your Alonso analogy in reverse; he’s a rich mans Moyes.

Recon he’ll be kept away from u23 for the reasons you stated…….but that detachment will mean the smalls, warringtons, et al are going to face real problems getting anywhere near first team.

Still gutted we’re not gambling on a younger man with vision for the future, but looks like fans opinions are moot and it’s safety first now from Moshiri.

Recruitment of players now vital to Goodson not feeling like a the night before lockdown party in the first few games.

None of the managers are miracle workers but a lucky few manage to get the best out of '' an average squad'' when they come in and things happen such as Leicester.

Benitez has been a decent manager so let's see what he can do with what he inherits at Everton.

If it were me I would like to chop quite a few players from this squad but realistically it wouldn't happen because of contracts etc. and asking fees being too much.

Benitez will have to sort out who he thinks will perform best once he has gotten the preseason out of the way.

Hopefully Moshiri and co. will have already formulated plans for changes in some player personnel and told Benitez what money he can have.

I think we have all had enough frustration to last a lifetime and can be cautiously optimistic that next season will be better throughout.

Oh the irony, if we appoint Beneathus it will be the ultimate small club move.

What intrigues me in all of this is Brands. I just can’t work out what’s going on with him at all. Is he accepting of the situation and happy to just tow the line so long as he’s being paid or is he speaking to his agent saying get me outta here!!! If it’s tue that Benítez is a control freak when it comes to recruitment and style of play etc, where does this leave our DoF? Not here to point the finger as I haven’t a clue what goes on behind closed doors at Everton, but I’m totally at a loss with Brands and what his remit is.

Tony #369, indeed Benitez is a hard-nosed professional, which probably means that a couple of months into his tenure, there'll be anonymous quotes from Finch Farm calling him 'arrogant' and 'not one of us.'

People keep asking me why it's taking so long for us to get a manager. 6 managers in 5 years, a bloated, slow, non-achieving squad, several poor players on long contracts, a director of football who gets overruled and an owner who does nothing to improve the business, while periodically intervening in transfer policy tells everyone why.

We know all of this, so I suspect managers & agents know the same or more. On that basis, they're going to drive a hard bargain. And I'm still wondering if we're waiting (hoping?) for someone who is currently managing at the Euros.

Lynne you're acting all Gloria Swanson over a manager who you state disrespected us.

Where you there on the last game of the season and Moyes departure?

The crowd all singing his name despite everyone knowing he had stabbed us in the back and had already taken the Utd job.

Statements by him at pressers where he openly stated he could now go out and finally "try" to win a game, then totally disrespecting us by stating we where holding back the careers of our best players by not selling them to Utd.

Footy fans eh! Fickle as fuck when it suits them.

I couldn't agree more with you with regard to David Moyes. Where have I said anything which makes you believe I have anything but utter contempt for the man. I agree totally he disrespected our club and has continued to do so. I would not want him anywhere near my club and he isn't!! The problem is that Benitez is -so the media would have us believe -about to be appointed on Tuesday. I still hope and pray they are wrong.
I also think your 'Gloria Swanson' comment is somewhat sexist.

If you really want to shake the club up appoint Rangnick, sack Brands, and give him full authority to run the club. He completely transformed Red Bull and his coaching is credited for influencing Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, Ralph Hasenhüttl, and Jürgen Klopp. He’s wanted the job for a long time and is very experienced.

Lynne, the comment is an old scouse analogy, I apologise if you took it the wrong way, it was not meant to upset or in any way degrade you.
Again I apologise whole heartedly.

But this is not "our" Everton anymore, this " peoples club" rhetoric is bollox Lynne.

We are a buisness, albeit a badly run one, owned by business men who couldn't give a rats arse about me or you.

Problem is... we have too much spiritually and emotionally invested in the club which they don't "get" just look back at the attempted breakaway by the so called "Big 6".

Benitez was far from my first choice, Ten Haag or Nuno where mine but he's here now (we're told) so I'll get behind him.

We've all said things we regret in life and to loved ones as well. Thank god they forgive and forget.

I'll forgive him for being pissed off with a game of football, god knows I've cursed the other lot enough and wished nothing but the wrath of god upon them.

But nobody's died and the world will keep turning whoever our manager is.

God help him though if he fucks this up, he knows the feelings and cuts run deep and being local must have some set on him to take us on.

Let's hope he makes a success of it.

Thanks for the apology Dave and accepted. Emotions are running high at the moment. To be honest I really don't get why he wants it (well except the money) You can just hear the 'Agent Benitez' tag every time we lose a game. Am very sad we have sunk this low. Anyway am still hoping it's not true.

That’s a very interesting question Lynne, why does Benítez even want the job? It looks like Newcastle, will soon be taken over by very, very, very rich Saudi’s, and from what I’ve heard, there does seem to be a lot of truth in the rumours about his friends wanting him to hang fire for that job, especially because he would be welcomed with open arms.

Tony
I suspect the saudis will want their own man, and will have relayed the same.

He wants the job for a couple of reasons.

He loves the city and whatever you think of him his charity does fabulous work in and around the Liverpool area.

Hes a football man, its all he knows and wants to remain in football.

Im convinced he will "get" the club, he "gets" the ferocity of and rivalry of the two clubs and no longer feels he owes them anything.
Can you imagine the accolades if he was the only man on earth to deliver trophies to both clubs.

Possibly Kevin, but something tells me he really wants the Everton job. Maybe it’s because he knows nobody lasts long at Everton anymore, except all the ex Everton players at finch-farm?

Just read that Dave, and also think he’s coming into Everton, with a much better understanding of our fan base than we realise, considering very few have ever wound us up so much, in our lives.

Anthony (#400) I too wonder about Brands. I just hope he's not now doing what so many more do at Finch Farm by essentially giving up and taking their absurdly high wages with nary a care for the club or its supporters.

The way he and his role have been stymied though, I wouldn't blame him if did.

I I was listening to a Geordie reporter and he spoke in very welcoming terms about his stay at Newcastle; and I'm sure that if the Saudi's come they would spend an absolute fortune on players and the manager. I think Benitez is a good manager but the Saudis will want the World's best in both.

The thing is, Moshiri has spent £500 million trying to get this club out of it's quagmire and he's learnt (I hope) some hard lessons after sacking Martinez and bringing in Koeman, who proceeded to spend and absolute fortune on duff players. Moshiri wanted a big name to go with the managers of L'Pool Man City and Man U. and try to catch those clubs up to be ready for the stadium we hope to see in a couple of years time.

Well, we've seen what has happened since and we're left managerless, since Angellotti dunnarunna at the beginning of the month.
We don't know the ins and out but it appears that Nuno wants to bring all his staff with him, being the only one that I know of that has had some success in English management, apart from Benitez.

I think the club, certainly Moshiri and Brands have thought long and hard about who to bring in, and spoke long and hard with the applicants.

If it is Benitez, then he's the man who they think will do a job for the club in the 2/3 fraught seasons before the new stadium opens.

Because he said what he said after the derby match, even though he was right, I'll never treat like the Geordies did/do.

I'll back the club in their choice, if it's Benitez; because the alternative, if we have another atmosphere like that when Sam Alladyce was here, then I fear for our club.

Who would want to come here if we treat any manager like we did Alladyce.
Maybe Ancellotti would when he gets kicked out of Real again, or retires gracefully in a couple of years, or The Special one, if offered zillions. or whoever wanted to try and make a name for themselves.

It's a dodgy time to be playing roulette with managers.

Lynne, 396;

Of course it's not a closed shop - but principally a website for Everton fans. I'm simply saying, for people to claim they're off whilst telling everyone here on the site, seems unlikely to me.

I probably feel about similar to you re. Benitez. But I support Everton. Support for the manager is a different thing entirely.

Imagine Benitez is appointed, somehow we're top late November, the RS are second, and we're playing them at home. A season ticket holder doesn't go to the game?

No way I'm right about everyone, how could I know. But most will be here when it comes to it. That's the addiction - and being a fan.

My choice from early on John Crawley. Rangnick is known as a builder.

But it would put him into conflict with Brands.

My take / preference was to go for Rangnick. If Brands stays then he operates more at board level, which his recent promotions suggest he is going to. With someone like Rafa, he will be as Benitez will want more say and control on transfers anyway.

So a bit of restructuring. Rangnick in as Manager / DoF working with Brands who, dare I say, replaces Kenwright. But a double appointment as we also bring in a younger head coach to look after the first team.

Ambitious and unrealistic? Yes. But if I was Moshiri for a day, that would be my thinking.

Agree Danny, Rangnick has a unique skill set. He’s an experienced manager, coach and director of football. I agree with you about his skills as a builder of clubs. He’s ideal if you ask me but situation with Brands would be an issue. Let’s face it the job Brands has done is mediocre. Personally I’d just sack him! I’m convinced that Rangnick could sort the set up of the club out and bring in coaches to work with him for future.

Rangnick another suggested manager along with about 10 others. Does anyone have any evidence that these people have not been asked and have turned it down. Any evidence Tottenham or C. Palace have not asked him, Palace are more into a rebuilding mode than us.
I have give up long ago that Everton only have to ask someone to come, and they will be there the next day. Managers have ambitions and want there next club to be more successful than their previous clubs. Some may be able to work with a clubs present system, but others may want radical changes and this is the one who may be causing the problems at Everton. Some of the hiring people may want radical changes were others may want a steady Eddie.

Us mortals can only give opinion as to what we would do and offer opinion Bill.

If they do, as it seems they will, appoint Benitez, then it would appear the club leadership are going down the path of established name with past success and sticking to that for now.

My choice and my path? No. But I'm not in charge of decision making. I just get to sound off on here!!

I've seen a lot of posts criticizing the people who threaten to leave. Calling them out, daring them to actually follow through. Asking what's the actual point of posting, "I'm done!".

They care. That's the point.

They're logging on as a plea to fellow supporters and the heavens that Everton, the Club they love, doesn't hire a man they think simply doesn't fit the ethos of the Club.

They're saying they'll leave to convey how much they, again, love the Club, and feel so passionately about the hiring of Rafa that they see no choice but to abandon the Club if he's hired. In their opinion hiring Rafa is that poor a decision, that bad an appointment.

These posts aren't pointless. They're passionate, they might be empty threats, but they underscore the scorn and contempt many in the fanbase will feel if Rafa is hired.

I disagree diametrically with anyone that these posts are a waste of space or an empty threat. And to anyone who's posted threatening to leave the Club if Rafa Benitez is fired, I hear you. If you want to cathartically post that this is the last straw, you should. It's a statement of just how bad you and I know this appointment to be!

Bill all we can go on is that Rangnick has applied for job previously and is reported to be interested in current job.

I understand that Danny it is frustrating and would be nice if what you suggested happened. The problem at Everton as I see it, is, they have very competent people at the non playing side of things as there is a lot more to running an organization the size of Everton F.C. than the players and coaches that turn out for a game. The problem is incompetent people on the playing side and we tend to combine them together.
I still believe that Brands is the go too person for the playing side who recommends players to the manager and recommends managers to the board who in turn go over the recommendations. The problem now is in the owners and chairman's hand with an outside influence. and it will be the one who has the most influence and that will be either the owner or the outside influence that will hire the new manager regardless of the views of the people who matter. the supporters.
As I have said before I have no time for B.K. but I believe even with all his faults, he listens to the supporters and will be against Benitez. But money talks.

Well it looks like Rafa is going to be the next manager so I for one will get behind him. My opinion is he is a good manager that will bring back an playing identity to the club and will lay good foundations. He knows what he is doing. Anyway just my opinion.