Rafael Benitez SACKED as Everton manager after Norwich defeat extends poor record to one win in 13 Premier League matches

Rafael Benitez has been sacked as Everton’s manager following their dismal defeat at Norwich City on Saturday.

The Spaniard was dismissed on Sunday afternoon after the Toffees loss at Norfolk extended their poor record to just one win in their last 13 Premier League matches.

The travelling fans were calling for Benitez to leave before the game started and two goals in quick succession, Adam Idah adding to an own goal by Michael Keane, did little to improve their mood.

Richarlison pulled one back for the visitors with a perfectly-timed bicycle kick but the Toffees failed to salvage a point and remain without a league win since the start of December.

Benitez’s tenure at Goodison Park had been ill-fated from the jump with a lot of Everton’s supporters against the former Liverpool boss’ hiring.

Everton statement

A club statement read: ‘Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as first-team manager.

‘Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the club with immediate effect.

‘An update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course.’

Wayne Rooney, Duncan Ferguson, Frank Lampard and Roberto Martinez are among the bookmakers’ early favourites to succeed Benitez in the Goodison Park hot-seat.

Everton fans at Carrow Road were furious with the team’s performance, expressing their views with chants and banners that the former Liverpool boss should not remain at the helm.

One supporter invaded the pitch in an attempt to confront Benitez, while at the final whistle a chorus of ‘sack the board’ was heard as Everton fans booed their own team.

Rafael Benitez experiment failed

Benitez was appointed Everton manager in June 2021 – a highly controversial move given his previous time in charge of Liverpool.

It was a major gamble by club owner Farhad Moshiri, and it has not paid off.

Moshiri last month stood by Benitez, stating that the 61-year-old would be given time to get things right with new signings and injured players coming back.

However, the return of players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not seen an improvement.

Everton’s next game is against Aston Villa at Goodison Park on January 22.