Word stemming from the English media late on Saturday evening suggests that Rafael Benitez has been dismissed as the manager of Everton.
Richarlison not enough
‘Rafa’ of course guided his side back into action this afternoon.
In something of a must-win outing on the back of just a solitary 3-point haul since all the way back in September, the Toffees made the trip to Carrow Road, for a meeting with basement boys Norwich City.
When all was said and done in East Anglia, however, the woes facing Everton, amid a dismal campaign to date, only continued to mount.
The latest in a string of alarming displays ultimately saw the Merseyside outfit put to the sword by a spirited Norwich side.
Richarlison did manage to pull one back in spectacular fashion on the hour mark, but the damage had long been done, as Benitez and co. were dragged ever closer to the English top-flight’s relegation dogfight.
FT. pic.twitter.com/OfLm7aUOH0
— Everton (@Everton) January 15, 2022
Blues take action
And, if the latest reports in the media on the back of today’s clash are anything to go by, then his side’s latest defeat looks set to prove fatal for the under-fire Benitez.
Swiftly following the full-time whistle at Carrow Road was a wave of speculation that the hierarchy at Goodison Park had entered into crisis talks over the future of the club’s summer hire.
BREAKING: The Everton board are in discussions with owner Farhad Moshiri over Rafa Benitez’s future as #EFC boss this evening after the Toffees’ 2-1 defeat at #NCFC ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/M49HHdsiKR
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 15, 2022
And such discussions, in turn, have since given rise to a definitive decision.
As per reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke, Benitez has been informed that he is no longer the manager of Everton, with an announcement on the matter set to arrive by ‘Monday at the latest’:
Everton have sacked Rafa Benitez. Just sorting out compensation. Should be confirmed by Monday at the latest. #EFC
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 15, 2022
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