JAKARTA - Rafa Benitez insists he wants to win the hearts of Everton fans even though his appointment as coach was met with a wave of rejection from some circles, because his past was managing city rivals Liverpool.
"The Evertonians around where I live are quite happy and supportive," Benitez said at a press conference citing Antara, Wednesday night.
"Even Liverpool fans are very accepting of me taking the opportunity to be back in the Premier League, competing for something. It's an amazing feeling," he added.
🎥 | We're LIVE at USM Finch Farm for Rafael Benitez's first press conference as #EFC manager... https://t.co/gm1DbGskEd
— Everton (@Everton) July 14, 2021
Benitez was given a three-year contract by Everton, despite a wave of rejection from supporters.
In fact, before it was officially announced, a threatening banner was located near Benitez's residence in the Wirral, Liverpool. The case is now being investigated by Merseyside Police.
Benitez is the second person in history to ever manage Everton and Liverpool after William Edward Barclay.
The difference is, at that time Barclay first handled Everton before creating a rival club Liverpool in the late 1800s.
The Spaniard is determined to win over the hearts of the Evertonians by bringing a winning mentality into the Blue Merseyside club's squad.
"I've spoken to a number of senior players and all of them seem ambitious despite realizing something is missing. This is what we will look for together," he said.
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"For me, there has to be a winning mentality from day one to the last. The conversations that have been going on are going that way. The players want to do well and are determined to improve this team.
"That's very important for me, to have senior players who keep trying to progress and can be an example for the younger ones," concluded Benitez.
Everton was left behind by Carlo Ancelotti, who returned to Real Madrid, having failed to meet ambitious targets in European competition having finished only 10th last season.
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