Barton responds when asked if he wants Benitez as next Everton manager

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Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez’s future is far from certain, with Everton likely to be looking for a new manager in the summer.

Joey Barton has told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT, that he wouldn’t take Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez at Everton.

Benitez’s future at Newcastle is still unclear, with the Magpies battling against relegation.

With Everton likely to be searching for a new manager in the summer, due to Sam Allardyce’s struggles, Benitez could potentially be an option for the Toffees.

But Barton has suggested that Benitez’s strong links with Liverpool mean that Everton should look elsewhere.

“No, if you watch Newcastle against Liverpool – and I know they had to go and shut up shop [they were very defensive]. If he hadn’t been at Liverpool, you could probably see the argument for it. And you could say the same for Brendan Rodgers,” Barton said.

“On his CV you have to consider him, but I think the Everton-Liverpool rivalry would put pay to that.”

Benitez has a strong connection with Newcastle’s supporters, but he hasn’t been backed with the funds he has wanted.

Newcastle struggled to bring in the players Benitez targeted in January, with Mike Ashley only handing the Spanish boss a limited budget.

At Everton, Benitez would surely have more money to spend – but he is not among the favourites for the potential vacancy at Goodison Park right now.

Everton have been strongly linked with the likes of Paolo Fonseca and Marco Silva recently, with Allardyce’s days at the Merseyside club looking numbered.