Official: Benítez, dismissed

Rafa Benítez is no longer Everton coach, as the club officially confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The crisis of results has finished with the patience of the directive, that already combs the market in search of a substitute. For now, the candidates are top notch: Roberto Martínez, Lampard, Nuno and Wayne Rooney. The last time that Rafa Benítez, still manager of Everton, faced Norwich, He finished the game with a very different feeling than yesterday. That September 25, the Liverpool team won 2-0 and the team had a good trend. However, the winner this Saturday was Norwich 2-1. With this, there are already four days that the club does not add the three points. A difficult situation that has caused the Everton board has fired the Spanish coach.

This Saturday’s match at Carrow Road started badly for Benítez’s men: they went into the break with two conceded goals in two minutes. Richarlison pulled one back in the second half, but Everton couldn’t avoid defeat. Another match without knowing the victory, which has been scarce in the trajectory that the Toffees bring. In the last 13 games (since the 2-0 win at the end of September against Norwich) they have won just one game (2-1 against Arsenal), lost nine and drawn three.

After this defeat, Everton has accumulated 19 points in 19 Premier League games, five wins, four draws and ten losses. A balance that leaves him only six points above relegation, which is precisely what Norwich marks. Although the Toffees still have three postponed games to play, they are a long way behind the European positions (16 points behind). In addition, they have conceded 34 goals, being the fifth team in the top English competition with the most goals conceded.

This situation, added to today’s defeat against one of the teams in relegation places, has exhausted the patience of the Everton board. The next few hours, keys to finding a replacement.

Contacts with Nuno

As AS has learned, Everton has already contacted his possible replacement: Nuno. The coach was already tempted last summer, but he ended up opting for Tottenham’s offer. Now, after being dismissed from the London team, he is free and open to receiving proposals. However, everything indicates that the Portuguese coach will not accept and will take a few months off.

Rooney and Roberto Martinez

The Everton board is already thinking of more substitutes to replace Rafa Benítez. In addition to Nuno, who has already been called, as AS announced this Saturday, the Telegraph points to two other media names of the highest level. According to his information, Wayne Rooney and Roberto Martínez are two of the candidates being considered in the Goodison Park offices. After years without a continuity project, the return of the current Belgian coach, whose departure aroused the lament of all the fans, generates full confidence. However, it will not be a simple operation because he has a valid contract and directs one of the world powers. On the other hand, Rooney is endorsed by his past at the club and his progress as a coach, although there are some doubts due to his inexperience. With the team in a difficult situation in the table, it would be a risky bet. Sky Sports gives more names: Rudi García, the second Duncan Ferguson and Frank Lampard!