‘Why not?’: Everton urged to appoint ‘underrated’ manager instead of Rafa Benitez

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Neville Southall would rather see Duncan Ferguson replace Carlo Ancelotti at Everton as former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez nears a shock return to the Premier League, as he told talkSPORT. 

When reports emerged a fortnight ago suggesting that Everton were giving serious consideration to two Liverpool legends – Steven Gerrard and Rafa Benitez – you would have been forgiven for scoffing and muttering something along the lines of: ‘That’s never going to happen’. 

Well, it turns out that it is going to happen after all.

According to the Guardian, 61-year-old Benitez is edging ever closer to taking over a side he famously described as a ‘small club’ during his time at Anfield. 

And while some Everton supporters may be willing to forgive and forget – the former Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Valencia manager would certainly silence his critics if he brings an end to a 26-year trophy drought – the majority will probably share Southall’s stance.

In fact, the goalkeeping great would prefer to see long-serving assistant Duncan Ferguson handed the reins instead of a boss who led the men from the other side of Stanley Park to Champions League glory in 2005. 

Duncan Ferguson over Rafa Benitez for Everton?

“I think Rafa Benitez is a good manager. Is he right for Everton? No. Not a chance,” said Southall.

“He’s Liverpool. (The Everton fans) won’t have it. He’s going to have to produce something special.

“I would rather have Duncan. We are never going to get relegated, he’s a good manager, he’s far too underrated.

“He started before Ancelotti getting us on a good run, he is knowledgeable in everything he does, he knows the club inside out, he knows the younger players.

“Why not give him a season’s contract?”

Everton did appear to be closing in on the appointment of former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this week, while Roberto Martinez, Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche had also been linked.

It is hard to think of anyone more immediately unpopular than Benitez, however. 

At least Gerrard would arrive with a title under his belt. Benitez hasn’t won a major trophy since 2014 and was most recently seen hoovering up the cash in China.