Everton’s decision to sack head coach Rafael Benitez from his position was quickly followed by speculation over his successor. Premier League legends Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, and the former Toffees’ boss Robert Martinez were linked with the vacant job in reports that came out recently.
The Everton hierarchy decided they had had enough of Benitez following the team’s 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Norwich City. The Canaries handed the Toffees their 10th loss of the season, and the Spaniard was gone shortly after.
Formerly the manager of rivals Liverpool, the Spaniard left Everton in 16th position; the Merseyside club had won just once in their last 12 league games – and four more times all season – in the league.
Benitez only saw six months of his three-year contract at Everton, and the search is underway for his successor. Reports that Lampard, Rooney, Graham Potter, Rudi Garcia, and Martinez are in the frame for the vacant job position, while Duncan Ferguson – assistant to Benitez and his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti – will take charge of the first team over the short term.
Martinez, who formerly coached Everton from 2013 till 2016, is thought to be high on the Toffees’ list of managerial replacements. The Spaniard is currently the head coach of the Belgium National Team and, as per journalist Kristof Terreur, would not be allowed to leave his post ten months before the FIFA World Cup.
Former Everton player Rooney is also among the candidates the club is considering moving forward. The Englishman is currently the head coach of Championship club Derby County, with whom he is fighting relegation despite facing extraordinary challenges this season.
Finally, Lampard and Garcia, without a job are also being looked at by Everton. Lampard last coached Chelsea in the Premier League, whom he left in the ninth position a year ago to be replaced by Thomas Tuchel. Garcia, meanwhile, has been without a job since being fired by Olympique Lyonnais.
The Toffees are also keen on Potter, but the Englishman is reportedly happy in his current role as the manager of the high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion.
