---
title: "Don Hutchinson warns Everton and Benitez’ season to end ‘in tears’"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/don-hutchinson-warns-everton-and-benitez-season-to-end-in-tears/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2021-08-10T11:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-10T11:30:00Z"
---

# Don Hutchinson warns Everton and Benitez’ season to end ‘in tears’

Pundit Don Hutchinson has claimed that he can only see Rafa Benitez’ spell at [Everton](https://readeverton.com/2021/07/29/virals-moise-kean-shines-in-everton-pre-season-victory/) ending ‘in tears’ as Everton prepare for the start of the new season.

Everton kick off the 2021/22 season with a home clash at Goodison Park with the Toffees hosting Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton.

The ex-Liverpool manager was an unpopular choice among some sections of the Everton fanbase, with some rogue fans unfurling threatening and critical [banners](https://readeverton.com/2021/06/29/guillem-balague-wants-further-action-over-everton-banner/) around both Goodison Park and the tactician’s family home.

The former Real Madrid and Napoli manager has moved to bolster his squad amid notable [Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/financial-fair-play-limiting-everton-21258754) that has seen the likes of Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic [arriving on free transfers.](https://www.skysports.com/football/everton-transfers-done-deals)

Moreover, ex-Leicester and Birmingham winger Demarai Gray arrived from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for less than £2 million.

Pressure will be on the Everton boss to secure an ambitious European-placed finish next season, though Hutchinson believes the quality of similarly ambitious rivals for European football will simply be too strong for the Toffees to meaningfully compete with.

Asked by Chris Sutton on BBC 5 Live Sport whether he thinks appointing Benitez is a move destined for failure, Hutchinson [commented](https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/1424822863916412937) \[via[Goodison News](https://www.goodisonnews.com/2021/08/10/don-hutchison-expects-everton-appointment-of-rafa-benitez-to-end-in-tears/)\]:

> “In all honesty, I think it ends in tears and I don’t know when. I don’t know how early or how long because it might not be a Rafa Benitez Everton-Liverpool scenario.

> “It might just be a scenario where you think right, Everton want to be in the top six, but they are competing with a top-four who we think is going to be Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

> “The task to get Everton into the top-six is a hard one. The signings are good ones, but how does he get this club into the top six this season? I think that is a massive ask.”

### Read Everton Verdict

Given the FFP constraints on Everton in the market, fans may have to deal with the uncomfortable reality of minimal investment in the squad, barring any sudden player sales.

Benitez’ efforts will undoubtedly be focused on working with existing resources and will have little in the way of negotiating power over requesting more backing from the board.

Spending does not necessarily equate to success, but patience should nonetheless be urged with Benitez’ side.