---
title: "Phil Jagielka Discusses Rafa Benitez Everton Appointment"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/phil-jagielka-discusses-rafa-benitez-everton-appointment/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2021-07-01T05:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-07-01T05:30:00Z"
---

# Phil Jagielka Discusses Rafa Benitez Everton Appointment

Former [Everton](https://readeverton.com/2021/06/30/virals-rafa-benitez-seen-arriving-at-everton/) captain Phil Jagielka has laid bare the enormity of the task faced by Rafa Benitez if he is to win over sceptical fans.

The club [confirmed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57660542) on Wednesday that the ex-Liverpool boss – who also boasts experience with the likes of Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid – has taken charge of the club on a three-year deal.

The decision to appoint Benitez comes in spite of [significant fan backlash](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9740855/Former-captain-Phil-Jagielka-says-Rafa-Benitez-needs-fast-start-Everton-win-fans.html) that saw offensive banners strewn across Goodison Park and near his family home in separate occasions.

The Spaniard was [pictured arriving](https://readeverton.com/2021/06/30/virals-rafa-benitez-seen-arriving-at-everton/)at the club’s USM Finch Farm training facility on Wednesday morning ahead of the deal’s confirmation.

Other familiar first-team coaches such as David Unsworth, Duncan Ferguson and Leighton Baines were also seen arriving at the training facility ahead of Benitez.

Speaking to [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/12345499/jagielka-benitez-needs-fast-start) \[via the[Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9740855/Former-captain-Phil-Jagielka-says-Rafa-Benitez-needs-fast-start-Everton-win-fans.html)\], Jagielka feels a busy summer of recruitment, combined with a strong start and positive results, are a necessary cocktail of positive conditions that Benitez needs to win over his doubters:

> ‘He will need to get off to a fast start and make a couple of marquee signings to smooth over, potentially, a little bit of a rocky start,’ he claimed.

> ‘If he gets a good start and the right results they will get behind him because that’s the sort of club Everton is.

> ‘The hierarchy at Everton have decided to go with Rafa, it is a controversial decision to say the least.

> ‘If we take away what club he used to manage and that side of history, as a coach and a manager he has performed at the top level.

> ‘They are getting a very competent man in – the only issue is there will be elements within the Evertonian family who won’t be happy seeing him in the dugout.’

### Read Everton Verdict

Given the controversy surrounding the appointment, persuading his dissenters will be an uphill battle for the Everton tactician.

For the [40-cap England international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/phil-jagielka/profil/spieler/13520) (who spent 12 years at Goodison Park) to weigh in is another influential voice added to a chorus of uncertainty surrounding the club.

Benitez will ultimately rely on substance over style to dissuade his biggest detractors from losing faith in him.