Rafael Benitez: Everton sacks manager after defeat at Norwich

Everton sacks manager

Everton sacks manager following Norwich defeat, just six-and-a-half months after appointment. Rafael Benitez leaves the club after winning once in the Premier League since September; the Toffees are 15th in the table, six points above the relegation zone.

Benitez has won only seven of his 22 matches in charge of Everton. The embattled manager has been sacked after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Norwich. The former Liverpool manager was appointed Everton boss last summer but the Spaniard has failed to win over the Goodison Park faithful. Following the defeat, Everton fans have displayed a banner calling for his exit during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Norwich. The same banner was also unfurled at their 3-2 FA Cup third-round win at Hull.

The embattled Everton manager speaks to his player during the past match with Norwich. Photo courtesy: Getty Images

The club lost nine of their previous 13 league matches, including a 4-1 home defeat by Merseyside rivals Liverpool and a 5-2 home defeat against relegation strugglers Watford. Rafa Benitez has ultimately paid the price of losing and he was likely going to leave the club.

Everton fans held a protest banner against Everton manager Rafael Benitez during the Premier League match at Carrow Road; Norwich. The fans unfurled a protest banner against the club’s manager at Norwich on Saturday. Duncan Ferguson was once there and he performed well as interim boss last time, and he may likely step in, as they look for the next manager.

Despite the defeat at Norwich, Rafa Benitez is confident he can turn Everton’s season around as he begins to get his injured players back despite protests from fans.

It is a question that remains hard to pinpoint, but for many of those who headed back to Merseyside having made their longest away trip of the season, it was clear where the buck stops. This was Everton’s first away defeat against a team starting the day bottom of the Premier League table since May 2004, having been unbeaten in 17 such occasions coming into the match. Benitez has run out of time and excuses. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was back on the side following his most recent relapse while Richarlison had an impact off the bench, but the damage had already been caused.

As has so often been the subject following the miserable run of one win in 13 league games. The 2-1 loss to Norwich continued an abysmal record for Everton of conceding the first score in 16 of their 22 matches in all contests this season, including each of their last nine matches.

Looking a the league’s bottom side, who had conceded the first goal in 16 games themselves this season, Benitez watched his squad ship twice before they staged any form of response. He may now reflect on his six months in charge and never be quite as irate as the club’s supporters at the current situation, but the players must also be accountable.

           Everton vs Norwich players during the past match. Photo courtesy: Getty Images

Norwich’s goals were a result of  Everton’s own mistakes with Michael Keane’s own goal coming 92 seconds before Ben Godfrey poorly passed pass contributed to Adam Idah making it two. Everton managed to win just 19 points from their 19 league matches this season and only twice recently had fewer at this stage of a Premier League campaign. Senior members of the team must come forward and lead by example, but calls for Benitez to be relieved of his duties became too difficult to ignore.

The club was formed in 1878 and won its first League Championship during the 1890–91 seasons. Having won four more League Championships and two FA Cups, the club experienced a post-World War II lull until a revival in the 1960s. A period of sustained success came in the mid-1980s when the club won a further two League Championships, one FA Cup, and the 1985 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Everton’s most recent major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup. The club has continued to be in the top flight since, albeit without winning any outstanding trophies or achieving a runners-up position.

The fans are colloquially known as “Evertonians” or “Blues”. The club’s main rivals are Liverpool; whose home stadium at Anfield is just less than one mile away from Everton’s home at Goodison Park, and the two clubs compete in the Merseyside derby. Everton has been based at Goodison Park since 1892, having moved from its original home at Anfield after a disagreement over its rent. The club’s home colours are royal blue shirts with white shorts and socks.

Everton’s next fixtures

January 22: Aston Villa (H) – Premier League

February 5: Brentford (H) – FA Cup

February 8: Newcastle (A) – Premier League

February 12: Leeds (H) – Premier League

February 19: Southampton (A) – Premier League