According to The Telegraph, Everton have contacted Rafa Benitez to see if the former Newcastle United boss would be interested in taking the hot seat at Goodison Park.
The report states that Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has initiated talks with the 61-year-old to sound out a potential move, suggesting he is now a serious contender for the job.
This comes after Carlo Ancelotti’s sudden exit last week – seeing him return to former club Real Madrid – and could see the Spaniard return to Premier League management after a few years out.
Rafa left his role at Dalian Pro earlier this year and is now back in England with his family on Merseyside, making a potential job at Everton absolutely perfect from a geographical perspective.
That said, The Telegraph insist that a move to Goodison would be a ‘shock’ for many, with his strong Liverpool ties making some believe that he would not entertain a switch to their fierce rivals – no matter how desperate he is to return.
Personally, I believe Benitez would put previous loyalties aside and take the job in an instant if he was offered it, with Everton ticking so many of his boxes in terms of financial muscle, ambition and potential to break into the top six and beyond.
He’s clearly been waiting for the right Premier League job, and with Wolves appointing Bruno Lage, Palace looking elsewhere, Spurs closing in on Paolo Fonseca and ourselves in limbo while we wait for a final takeover decision, this feels like a very tempting proposition that allows him to stay with his family whilst taking a job that appeals.
There’s been talk of Rafa remaining the PIF’s number one target should they push through a takeover bid later this summer, however he can’t wait forever – especially when the result of this arbitration hearing is anyone’s guess.
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