“Job is a job” – Some Liverpool fans have their say as ex-Reds boss is linked with Everton

Liverpool fans react as Rafael Benitez touted to be next Everton manager

According to The Mirror (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton owner Farhad Moshiri will hold another round of talks with former Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, ahead of a potential appointment.

The news comes as a shock to fans of both clubs around the world, considering how rare it is for footballing personnel to cross the divide that separates Red from Blue in Merseyside.

The Toffees are without a manager after Carlo Ancelotti abandoned the club to join Real Madrid instead. And Benitez has now emerged as a strong candidate for the job.

Benitez’s potential appointment as Everton’s new manager is understandably infuriating for some Toffees fans especially after he called them a “small club” after a Merseyside Derby in 2007. (h/t The Guardian)

Benitez back to Merseyside?

Benitez managed Liverpool for 6 years from 2004 until 2010, winning the UEFA Champions League in his first season in Merseyside. The Spaniard continues to be a fan favourite amongst the Liverpool faithful.

And that comes as no surprise considering what he has done for the city of Liverpool, especially regarding Hillsborough. Since his Liverpool job, Benitez has managed a ton of clubs in several countries.

He managed Chelsea and Newcastle United in England, Inter Milan and Napoli in Italy, Real Madrid in Spain, and most recently, Dalian Professional in China.

For Everton, a club that hasn’t won a trophy in ages, the appointment of someone like Benitez should be met with optimism – yet their hate for their city rivals can cloud their judgement of the Spaniard.

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Liverpool fans, on the other hand, were largely supportive of ‘Rafa’ on social media after the news of his links with Everton broke. Here are some of the best reactions as found on Twitter:

Man did everything in his power to take Lfc to the top, made us European winners. Have supported the cause for the 96 through thick and thin.

I guess thats enough for me. He can manage any club he wants, won't support him obviously but won't bat an eye either.

— RupamBez (@Rupam55) June 17, 2021

He's done a lot for Liverpool. We won't forget his glorious past with us just because he wants to take a financially sound decision for his family

— An🇺🇾 (@AnfieldAn) June 18, 2021

https://twitter.com/SRobbo7/status/1405433659398799361?s=20

If we love him as much as we say we do, then we should be happy for him. He’s been out of a job for ages and the man needs to feed his family and kids. Deep down we all know if Rafa had better managerial positions lined up he won’t take the Everton job

— Tammy C. T. (@colz4liverpoolz) June 17, 2021

The only people who seem to have a problem with it, are those that don't remember when he was our manager in the first place.

He loves the city, lives local. Its not like he's got the United job.

— Jamie Howard (@jayhoward95) June 17, 2021

Liverpool sacked him.

Supporters lose all complaints about where he manages when it was never his choice to leave in the first place.

If he left on his own terms, then that's different. Bemoaning a man for accepting another job after he was told he was not wanted is nonsense.

— Matt Foley (@mistermattfoley) June 17, 2021

If I was a blue I’d be fumin, he did nothing in China, one last big pay day possibly? Who knows, good luck to him, a legend in my eyes.

— Macca 1️⃣9️⃣ (@N_Macca74) June 17, 2021

A jobs is a job, his legacy will live throughout liverpool, show the man respect he deserves it.

— Jack B (@10fcJack) June 17, 2021