The Everton board are divided about the prospect of bringing in former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement, as reported by the Athletic.
Considering the Toffees have been linked with coaches of all shapes, sizes and statures since Ancelotti raced back to Real Madrid a fortnight ago, it is safe to assume the Merseyside giants are casting their net far and wide.
In the space of a fortnight, Everton have jumped from promising, up-and-coming tacticians, from Eddie Howe, Erik Ten Hag and Graham Potter, to grizzled, managerial veterans with CVs longer than the Bayeux tapestry.
Remarkably, three of the managers linked with the vacant Goodison Park post are actually older than 62-year-old Ancelotti – Claudio Ranieri, Fatih Terim and the 2014 Premier League-winner Manuel Pellegrini.
Will Everton really hire Liverpool legend Rafa Benitez?
Benitez, at 61, would fall into the ‘experienced camp’, a marquee appointment to rival that of Ancelotti himself.
The former European Champion is understood to be keen on a return to the Premier League too but, according to the Athletic, some on the Everton board do not share Benitez’s enthusiasm.
Perhaps they are aware of the fact that a former Liverpool manager – one who has never shared his admiration for the club on the other side of Stanley Park – would make Sam Allardyce look like Howard Kendall in the eyes of many a Toffees supporter.
Sky Sports reported two days ago that Nuno Espirito Santo has moved into pole position for the Everton job.
As Crystal Palace fans will tell you, however, things can change quickly in football.
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