Rafa Benitez believes some in the Everton squad cannot handle the pressure from playing in front of a packed Goodison Park or their fans’ expectations, according to The Athletic.
The Toffees sacked the Spaniard on Sunday after claiming one win in their last 13 Premier League games. They had also lost nine times since beating Norwich City on September 25. The Canaries coincidentally marked his final game in charge of the Merseyside outfit, too.
Benitez stood at the Goodison helm for just six-months after his controversial appointment to replace Carlo Ancelotti last June. The former Liverpool head coach now leaves with the Blues 16th in the table and six-points above the relegation zone.
Everton claimed 13 of their 19 points under Benitez at Goodison, with four wins and a draw from nine games. They only took six of a possible 30 points on the road, however, with one win and three draws. Only Aston Villa and Norwich (7) lost more often (6) away from home.
Yet Benitez feared some in his Everton squad could not cope with the pressures associated with playing at Goodison. He also questioned if some Toffees stars had the right mentality to cope with the supporters’ expectations during his tenure.
The Spaniard left the Blues sensing some players instead buckled under the weight of fans’ hopes for the club. Benitez also suspected those aspirations from the fanbase led to a few players failing to perform when at home.
Next Everton manager will have immediate task alleviating Benitez fears
Everton’s Premier League wins at Goodison so far this term have come over Southampton, Burnley, Norwich and Arsenal. But they have also lost to West Ham, Watford, Liverpool and Brighton while drawing with Tottenham.
The Toffees will have expected to take three-points in their clashes with Burnley, Norwich and Watford. The three clubs are battling relegation, yet the Hornets ran riot against poor defending to thrash the Blues 5-2, with Joshua King clinical to punish his former side.
Everton had serious problems on the road under Benitez, as well, however. After drawing at Leeds and beating Brighton, they lost six of their next eight without a win. Their dire run included defeats at Wolves, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Norwich.
Farhad Moshiri’s next choice of manager must address Everton’s dire away form, as much as they will home results. But any shared fears over the Toffees squad’s mentality will point to far greater issues for whoever now replaces Benitez.
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