Everton sack manager Rafael Benitez after 2-1 loss to Norwich City

Everton confirmed the departure of manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday (January 16), bringing an end to a six-month tenure that began only this summer.

Benitez’s final fixture in charge at the club was their 2-1 loss in the Premier League to relegation strugglers Norwich City on Saturday (January 15).

“Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as First Team manager,” the club said in a statement.

“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.”

This will come as little surprise to either Toffees fans or neutrals. After all, the former Liverpool manager had been struggling for quite some time now.

Results at the club had gone south quick, and the manager’s ties to local rivals Liverpool meant a section of fans never accepted him. To make things worse, the football they played was often dull.

As a result, the club are now sat in 15th in the league table. This was never going to be good enough for the board and owner.

After the loss to Norwich, Benitez himself did not seem sure if he would be in a job much longer. However, he did put on a brave face.

“We conceded two goals through our own mistakes and that makes it a mountain to climb for us. We have to stay professional, concentrate on the next training session and match.

“I am a professional, I have enough experience and I came here to fix issues that, maybe, are coming from five years ago.

“I have to make sure I analyse these kinds of mistakes we are making and avoid that for the future. Other things are not in my hands. I have to do my job.”

Why did Everton act now?

The main reason Everton chose to sack him now was due to recent form; also the fact that they are close to the relegation zone.

As things stand, the Toffees are only six points from the drop. That kind of form is not seen as good enough; especially given the amount owner Farhad Moshiri has invested.

There’s also the small matter of the new stadium. The club are currently working on a new stadium and that means they need to stay in the Premier League. Thus, a relegation fight was never an option.

Hence, a combination of factors forced the board to act. That this decision was not in the works is evident by the public backing Benitez consistently received.

As for who gets the job next, that remains to be seen.