Pressure is mounting on Ronald Koeman. The Dutch gaffer was handed a huge lifeline as Wayne Rooney scored from the spot to salvage a point for Everton against Brighton & Hove Albion. Billionaire investor Farhad Moshiri has invested a huge amount of money in rebuilding the team but results have not gone the way he had hoped.
The Toffees are currently on eight points and are only two places clear of the relegation zone. If this ongoing saga continues, the Merseyside club could be on the lookout for a new manager and according to reports, Rafa Benitez remains high on Everton’s list of probable replacements.
The Spanish manager had managed in Merseyside before but it was in the other part as he managed Liverpool for around six years. His tenure at the Anfield is fondly remembered for the heroics in Istanbul as Liverpool tamed a mighty AC Milan in the final to claim the Champions League title back in 2005.
The Spaniard is currently managing Newcastle United and had a long journey with the club since he was handed the charge at the St James Park in 2016. It was a relatively smooth path for the Magpies in the Championship, infact it would be better to say the gaffer made it look very easy.
In this season too, Newcastle United had it quite easy as they have accumulated 11 points out of a possible 24 which is quite commendable for a promoted side. Benitez has also gone to loggerheads with owner Mike Ashley over Newcastle’s transfer activity in the summer. The club hierarchy failed to attract big names this summer and the gaffer had to be satisfied with very limited activity.
Everton are renowned for their soft stance towards their manager but this time it could be an exception. Farhad Moshiri must be looking for some quick results and looking at their next few fixtures it is going to be a huge task for the Toffees.
They are scheduled to travel to France to face Lyon in the Europa League and then will host Arsenal at the Goodison Park. Next in the line is Chelsea. The West Londoners will be banking on their home comfort as they set to face a struggling Everton in the Carabao Cup 4th round.
Koeman is expected to be in the charge until January atleast but time is running out very quickly for him. Everton players are also convinced that there would be a change in the mantle and Benitez is leading the race to be the next manager at Goodison Park.
