Pundit Simon Jordan has warned that top Everton managerial target Rafa Benitez treats clubs as stepping stones and would not be good for the long-term interests of the club.
The former Crystal Palace owner and talkSPORT pundit issued a scathing verdict as he discussed the swirling rumours linking the ex-Liverpool boss with the vacant Everton job.
Following the sudden departure of Carlo Ancelotti, recent reports had linked Benitez with an impending appointment in the Everton dugout, though extensive backlash appeared to have delayed a decision.
Jordan added his voice to a chorus of concerned fans and neutrals alike, slamming Benitez’ perceived intentions with the club whilst taking aim at Ancelotti’s appointment:
“I bet he is keen because it’s an opportunity for him and Rafa Benitez is in the Rafa Benitez business,” he told talkSPORT.
“Everton have got to decide what they want to be. I was one of the few that questioned the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, I didn’t think it was the right fit.
“He wasn’t on an upward trajectory. When they got Ancelotti from Napoli, Everton was a strange project for him to have taken.
“Some of the signings he made, despite on paper looking like really good signings, haven’t worked out.
“Everton have got to decide whether they’re going to be a big club and have a go or if they’re going to look like a club that’s getting Hollywood signings that don’t make a lot of sense.”
Jordan then turned his attention towards Benitez’ attitude, with the Spaniard having been out of work since leaving Chinese side Dalian Professional in January.
“Benitez, he uses clubs as a stepping stone. He did a decent job at Newcastle. I don’t think his career is in the ascendancy.
“He didn’t go to China to further his football knowledge, he went to China to get paid a big bag of money.
“It hasn’t worked over there because the Chinese league has fallen apart and the quality has dropped. He now wants to come back [to the Premier League].”
Read Everton Verdict
As uncertainty over the club’s stance on Benitez threatens to boil over, fan fury will only accelerate.
With the club in its fourth week of its hunt for a new manager, reports in the Liverpool Echo claim that Benitez still remains a firm favourite, but no contract looks to have been offered at this stage.
With no other obvious candidate appearing close to the job, fans may have to start to believe a Benitez appointment is close – as unsettling as it may be for some.
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