Former Everton enforcer Peter Reid has pleaded with disgruntled supports to get behind the club and back Rafa Benitez as the club’s new manager.
The club confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the ex-Liverpool boss has joined the Toffees on a three-year deal, officially taking up work with the club when the squad returns for pre-season training on July 5.
As news of his nearing appointment accelerated, a rise in hateful banners targeting the Spanish tactician that appeared across Merseyside were symptomatic of concerns from some fans over his suitability for the role.
Despite fan concerns, Farhad Moshiri and other Everton chiefs backed Benitez with a long-term contract to reflect their faith in Benitez, and Reid has urged fans to move on from the short-term controversy and to get behind the team.
He wrote on Twitter: “Everton, the club is bigger than anybody. We must get behind the new manager and support our team. If a small club come to Goodison Park to defend, we must respect that also.”
Twitter: Everton, the club is bigger than anybody. We must get behind the new manager and support our team. If a small club… https://t.co/09RxTzwImj (@reid6peter)
Reid made reference to Benitez’ ‘small club’ jibe against Everton in 2007, a claim that Benitez claimed was aimed at the club’s approach and mentality against Liverpool as opposed to the wider stature of the club.
Appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show back in December 2019, Benitez clarified:
“I made a mistake when I said it was a small club. What I wanted to say was they are a small team because in this game I remember they had one chance.
“Liverpool fans they were happy and the Evertonians were upset. But I didn’t want to say they were a small club, I wanted to say they were a small team.
“Some Evertonians they come to me and say about what I did for the city, we have the charity, and all these things, so I have a very good connection with the city, not just the Liverpool fans.”
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The deal is done, the ink dried, and fans are left with no choice but to adjust to the reality that Benitez is the club’s new manager.
Fans are more than entitled to have their concerns over Benitez’ suitability and his association with Liverpool is likely to remain fresh in the minds of ardent Toffees, but unrest at the club before a ball is kicked will do little to help.
It is incumbent on fans to get behind the club, and Reid’s voice is a mouthpiece for a reluctant acquiescence that will buoy the club into a new era under Benitez’ stewardship.
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