Rafa Benitez
Managed Liverpool.
Called us a little club.
So now, he crosses the great divide that is Stanley Park and becomes Everton manager. Time for Blues’ supporters to take a breath, hold it, and relax. It’s not the end of the world. Benitez is walking an almost untread path but he deserves a chance to do so.
While he isn’t the first to manage both Everton and Liverpool. The only prior time it happened is buried deep in history.
It’s understandable Evertonian’s don’t want Benitez to tread on sacred blue ground. But, he like Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri wasn’t born into this rivalry. And Benitez, unlike Moshiri, maintains a home on Merseyside.
Benitez doesn’t need the money. Not after years of managing at the top level. If he wanted the money, he might well have stayed in China where salaries can be astronomical.
No, it’s about his legacy. Can you imagine how Benitez would be remembered if he were to bring trophies to Everton’s trophy case?
The Blues’ last trophy was the FA Cup in 1995.
Former Everton captain Phil Jagielka told Sky Sports
"“He will need to get off to a fast start and make a couple of marquee signings to smooth over, potentially, a little bit of a rocky start,”“If he gets a good start and the right results they will get behind him because that’s the sort of club Everton is.“The hierarchy at Everton have decided to go with Rafa, it is a controversial decision to say the least.“If we take away what club he used to manage and that side of history, as a coach and a manager he has performed at the top level.“They are getting a very competent man in – the only issue is there will be elements within the Evertonian family who won’t be happy seeing him in the dugout.”"
Jagielka has hit the proverbial nail on the head. If Benitez hadn’t managed Liverpool, etc. The Royal Blue carpet would be out for him and his appointment would be welcomed by many Evertonians.
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Benitez knows he walks a thin line and he addressed it with a message to supporters on the club’s official website
"“It is a privilege to have been given the opportunity to manage Everton.Having called Merseyside my home for the last 17 years, I have a very clear understanding of what makes this club so special."
"This club is always striving to be the best. Simply competing in the top league is not enough.”."
Benitez added he has always fought to win and would do so for Everton.
As Evertonians, we like to sing “If you know your history.” But sometimes, we let that history get in our way. Do we want to only remember our history as other clubs like Leicester and possibly even West Ham surpass us?
No.
We want trophies and trips to Europe and Everton to become a revered name in the football world again. We want to make history, not relive it.
Someday this may be the chant that rings around Bramley-Moore Dock.
“Rafa, Rafa Benitez, he used to be a red, now he’s a blue. He’s won more for us than he did for you!”
That’s something to think about.