According to Sky Sports, former Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is still on course to become the new Everton manager, amid another banner allegedly aimed towards the Spaniard.
It has been 12 days since reports first emerged about Benitez becoming the boss at Goodison Park.
On June 16th it was claimed that the Spaniard was set to replace Carlo Ancelotti and that he was Everton’s first choice.
It was met with disappointment from Toon fans, with some even speculating that it could impact the club’s takeover.
Nearly a fortnight later and a deal is still yet to be completed.
There has been a huge backlash in the media and from fans on Twitter, while some went even further and placed derogatory banners outside of Goodison Park.
TalkSPORT even claimed that a deal could be off. Clearly that was just speculation, as, despite the uproar, it looks like Benitez is now set to return to the Premier League.
Sky Sports believe his arrival will be announced this week after further details were agreed with Everton over the weekend.
However, Benitez is going to have a serious job on his hands to win over some of the supporters.
Vile banner against Rafa Benitez goes too far
The banners seen outside of Goodison Park were shameful. However, the latest message that has emerged is disgusting.
Sky Sports report that Merseyside Police are investigating a banner near Benitez’s family home that is allegedly aimed at the 61-year-old.
The banner reads: “We know where you live, don’t sign.”
Ironically, they don’t know where he lives as the banner was placed outside of the wrong house.
These views clearly do not represent the entire Everton fanbase. However, there is a lot of discontent surrounding his imminent arrival.
Benitez is a hero at Newcastle, and he’s also a hero at Liverpool. That’s where the fury comes from, with Everton set to appoint a man who won Liverpool’s fifth European Cup in 2005.
It’s going to be one hell of a job for Rafa. At Newcastle he could do no wrong.
He arrived during a turbulent time and was unable to put out the immediate fire. Yet he was adored by fans, who convinced him to stay for another three seasons. His departure still hurts to this day.
Benitez will be going from that to a club where a lot of the fans do not want him.
But there is no doubting the man’s ability. He clearly has the talent to take Everton places. And if he can get off to a good start, the anger will soon turn to acceptance.
But the latest banner allegedly aimed at Benitez is unacceptable. It’s fair enough not to want a manager, but threatening him is too far.
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