Everton Signs Rafa Benitez On 3 Year Contract

JAKARTA - Everton has signed former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez as their new coach on a three-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

Everton has been looking for a new coach since Carlo Ancelotti left to return to Real Madrid.

"The appointment of Benitez comes after a robust and extensive recruitment process by the Club over the past three weeks - a process that included several interviews with several candidates," the club said in a statement on their official website.

Previously, former Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Nuno Espirito Santo was also linked with the Position.

Benitez himself revealed that he was happy to be able to coach The Toffes in an interview after his appointment.

"Throughout this process, I have been very impressed with the ambition shown by the senior representatives at the club and their desire to bring success to this historic club," he said.

"I believe this is a growing club. I am determined to play a big role in helping this great club achieve its ambitions."

Benitez had coached Everton's city rivals Liverpool from 2004 to 2010. The Spaniard successfully led the Reds to win the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup the following season.

He was also Chelsea's tactician when they won the Europa League title in 2013 as interim coach.

After two seasons with Napoli and a brief stint with Real Madrid, where he was sacked midway through his first season, Benitez returned to England to coach relegation-threatened Newcastle United in March 2016.

Although the club was eventually relegated to the second division of the Championship, Benitez led them back into the English Premier League the following season.

However, friction between him and club owner Mike Ashley led to him leaving in 2019. Benitez then moved to the Chinese Super League where he coached Dalian Professional, but left in January citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Rafa really impressed us with his knowledge and experience but above all, the passion and hunger he showed to join our club," said Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.

"We appointed Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our club and the Evertonians. Simply put - we have to compete in the top flight of the league and win trophies."