Yesterday, Everton confirmed the appointment of Rafa Benitez as their new manager on a 3-year deal. Having managed Liverpool for almost exactly 6 years (source) and being a very popular manager at Anfield, I'm very surprised by this.
I racked my brain to remember if anybody had managed both Merseyside clubs before and ended up seeking Google's help. He's the 1st manager to do so in 129 years, the last being William Edward Barclay who was both Everton and Liverpool's first ever manager (source 1 source 2).
If this announcement was met with surprise by me, it was met with anger by some Everton fans. Benitez didn't exactly endear himself by calling Everton a "small club" back in 2007 (see the video above) and some fans have even gone as far as creating a banner reading "we know where you live, don't sign" aimed at the ex-Liverpool boss (source).
Fortunately for Benitez, they obviously don't know where he lives since the banner was left outside the wrong house 🤣
This hostility is nothing new to Benitez though. When he took charge of Chelsea in 2012, this was the welcome that he received:
With fans returning to Goodison Park next season and Everton's 1st match at home to Southampton on the 14th August, I suspect that the half-full stadium will be louder than Stamford Bridge was on that evening. It's rare that a manager is given time to settle these days and with the fans on your back before you've even been appointed, I'm already wondering how long he'll last.
Good luck Rafa. I think you're going to need it.
Fantasy Sports Fantasy Premier League Contest is now open with a current Prize Fund of 300 STEEM. Click here to find out more and enter.
