Rafa Benitez snubs approach from Everton to replace beleaguered Toffees boss Ronald Koeman :-: talkSPORT
Benitez is staying at St James' Park… for now
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Rafa Benitez has rejected advances from Everton to become their new manager following the poor start to the season under Ronald Koeman.
Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright are considering their options after seeing the club regress under the Dutchman despite heavy summer investment.
Benitez has strong links with the city having managed Liverpool for six years, leading them to Champions League glory in 2005.
But he has turned down the offer to return to Merseyside, according to The Sun.
The heat is on Koeman with the Toffees languishing in 16th place in the league, with just two wins from eight games.
Everton spent £150m last summer, raising the prospect of the club joining the Premier League’s elite clubs.
But performances and results have left fans and the club's hierarchy feeling frustrated.
Koeman said this week: "The feeling is that they are behind the team and they (Everton owners) are behind the manager.
"But in football finally it is all about results.
"Maybe I'm in crisis. Most of the time the manager doesn't get time to improve the team.
"I feel sorry for Craig Shakespeare at Leicester. He did a good job taking over from Claudio Ranieri."
