Rafael Benitez: Everton appoint ex-Liverpool boss as new manager on three-year contract

Everton have confirmed the appointment of Rafael Benitez as their new manager.

The former Liverpool boss has signed a three-year contract at Goodison Park and succeeds Carlo Ancelotti, who left Merseyside after only 18 months in charge earlier this month to return for a second spell at Real Madrid.

Spaniard Benitez, 61, had been out of work since leaving Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional in January.

“I am delighted to be joining Everton,” Benitez said. “Throughout this process I have been greatly impressed by the ambition shown by the senior representatives at the Club and their desire to bring success to this historic Club.

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

Benitez previously spent six years in charge at Liverpool between 2004-10, winning the FA Cup and overseeing that miraculous comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final in Istanbul.

His association with their biggest rivals has led to discontent with the appointment in some sections of the Everton fanbase.

Police this week were investigating reports that a threatening banner reading: “We know where you live. Don’t sign” was left near to Benitez’s home on the Wirral.

Benitez has previously had two other managerial stints in England other than at Liverpool, winning the Europa League as interim coach at Chelsea in 2012-13 and also spending three years in charge at Newcastle between 2016-19.

He has also managed the likes of Real Madrid, Napoli, Inter Milan and Valencia.

Commenting on the divisive appointment, Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri said: “Rafa impressed us greatly with his knowledge and experience but, above all, the passion and hunger he showed to join our Club.

“We are appointing Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our Club and to Evertonians. To put it simply - we need to be competing at the top-end of the league and to be winning trophies.

“Rafa is a proven winner with huge experience in coaching internationally and we have secured the best man to achieve that for us.”

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