Pundit rants over surprise Benitez links as Everton continue manager hunt

Rafa Benitez, former Liverpool boss linked with Everton, TEAMtalk

Andy Gray has dismissed the idea that Rafa Benitez would be a good appointment for Everton, slamming the Spaniard’s style of football. 

The Toffees are still searching for their next boss after Carlo Ancelotti’s exit. The Italian quit earlier this month in order to return to Real Madrid. Since then, they have been linked to a whole host of potential successors.

Nuno Espirito Santo is the current favourite after his move to Crystal Palace fell through.

Duncan Ferguson, former Manchester City man Manuel Pellegrini and Galatasaray’s Fatih Terim are also being mentioned.

But a surprise name was added to the list when reports claimed Everton are considering ex-Liverpool manager Benitez.

Benitez is currently out of work having left Chinese side Dalian Professional in January. And Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is open to the idea of taking him to Goodison. 

‘I don’t want Benitez’ says Gray

But ex-Everton forward Gray has a very different view, saying Benitez’s tactics should see him fall down the list of options.

Rafa Benitez Everton link TEAMtalk

Asked about the possible appointment, he said (via Liverpool Echo): “No, not for me. If he was the best coach in the world I’d have to think about it but I don’t think he is now.

“I don’t want him to be Everton manager. His football is not brilliant. He’s very pragmatic. We know that.

“He won two titles in Spain with Valencia being very pragmatic. We saw the kind of job he was doing with Newcastle. The Newcastle fans love him and think he was sensational, I didn’t see it.

“I hope we don’t go down that route. And it surprises me a little when I listen to a lot of Evertonians who think maybe we could or maybe we should. No, he would be way down.

“If he was the greatest coach in the world and he was available I’d have to swallow it.”

READ MORE: James Rodriguez has given an update on his Everton future after Carlo Ancelotti walked away.