Everton appoints former Liverpool and Chelsea coach Rafael Benitez as their manager. The 61-year-old Spaniard has signed a three-year deal and succeeds Carlo Ancelotti, who resigned in early June to return to Real Madrid. Everton have appointed former Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez as their new manager.
Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri described Benitez as a proven winner with huge experience and has expressed confidence that he will take the club to the top end of the league. He said:
Rafa impressed us greatly with his knowledge and experience but, above all, the passion and hunger he showed to join our club. We are appointing Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our club and to Evertonians.
To put it simply – we need to be competing at the top end of the league and to be winning trophies. Rafa is a proven winner with huge experience in coaching internationally and we have secured the best man to achieve that for us.
Benitez has a hugely impressive track record with the clubs he has managed throughout his career, securing seven major honours including La Liga titles, the Coppa Italia, the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League during managerial spells in Spain, England and Italy.
Benitez last managed in the Premier League at Newcastle United before leaving in June 2019. He moved to China to coach Dalian Professional FC and left them in January after 18 months in charge. Benitez said:
I am delighted to be joining Everton. Throughout this process, I have been greatly impressed by the ambition shown by the senior representatives at the Club and their desire to bring success to this historic Club.
I believe this is a Club that is going places. I’m determined to play a big part in helping this great Club achieve its ambitions.
