Former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez reportedly set to become Everton manager

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According to Sky Sports, ex-Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is close to becoming Everton manager.

The Toffees are on the lookout for a new manager after Carlo Ancelotti returned to Spain for a second spell at Real Madrid.

It left Everton in the lurch, desperate to find a new manager before pre-season begins.

Plenty of names have been linked, but it looks like they’re going to hand Benitez his route back to the Premier League.

Earlier in the day it looked like it was a choice between Benitez and Nuno Espirito Santo.

The latter is currently a free agent after leaving Wolves at the end of the season.

Nuno worked wonders at Molineux, guiding the club to the Premier League in 2018.

He enjoyed two excellent seasons in the top flight with Wolves, before struggling this year. Nuno’s side finished just below Newcastle in 13th.

The Daily Mail had suggested that Nuno was Everton’s top choice, making him an offer last week.

However, it now looks like it’s Benitez who will be patrolling the Goodison Park touchline.

Rafa Benitez as Everton manager will be tough to take for Newcastle fans

Sky Sports claim that Benitez has been offered the job on Merseyside.

That puts to bed any murmurs that he could return to St James’ Park if a takeover was to happen.

Benitez left Newcastle in 2019, spending three years at St James’ Park.

He was heralded as a hero, seen as a beacon of hope by fans during Mike Ashley’s ownership.

Seeing him manage another team in the Premier League will be tough for Toon fans.

While his Liverpool past may infuriate some Everton fans, the Toffees will be getting a wonderful manager who has enjoyed great success in England.

He was a Champions League and FA Cup winner with Liverpool, he won the Europa League at Chelsea, while at Newcastle he unified a broken club.

The new Premier League fixtures have been announced, with the Magpies taking on Everton on December 28th. That will be the first instalment of Benitez vs Bruce.

The Spaniard’s St James’ Park return will come in 2022, when Everton head to the north east on February 9th.