It is never a dull day in the Premier League, and in just the third week of the year, the game of musical chairs is already on. Everton have sounded the first cry of ambition, slamming the sack on Spanish manager Rafa Benitez, just six months after offering him the job.
Everton have managed just one win in the Premier League since September and are currently 16th on the table, just six points above the drop zone. A 2-1 loss to Norwich City was the final kick and return from the game, Benitez found his termination note waiting.
The search for a permanent manager is on at the Merseyside club but the biggest task even before getting a new man in charge will be to stop the losing run. With their poor run under Rafa, perhaps the best the fans have had on the international betting sites listed on Wincomparator is the welcome bonuses. A bonus of up to $130 at 1XBet ranks among the highest around for new registrations, while ShangriLa and Melbet offer up to €130 as 22bet and Betsson have bonuses of up to €122 and €125 respectively.
Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez is one of the top candidates being considered for the vacancy at Goodison Park. He is actually a front runner. Just 24 hours after the news broke. The Spaniard had a great time with the club though it ended on a low after two consecutive 11th place finishes. He has since reinvented himself as Belgium manager, and therein lies the biggest stumbling block. Belgium aren’t willing to release him before the 2022 World Cup. The manager is said to be open to the move, but it is now all dependent on how the club and Belgium handle this case.
Wayne Rooney has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Benitez. At the moment, Rooney is at the helm at Derby County and doing well in his first managerial job under very tough circumstances. A chance to manage a Premier League team will definitely be a welcome offer. Rooney will not receive the negativity directed at Rafa through his tenure, having been a former Everton player and he actually did well for the Toffees in his two stints, the first coming as a graduate of the Toffees’ youth structure. The problem with a potential move here is that Rooney is said to be happy at Derby and committed to the project to lift the team from the current lows.
Former Derby County boss Frank Lampard is another man being considered. The former England international has been out of management since being sacked by Chelsea on the back of poor results last season. Lampard isn’t a strong favorite for the job but it is reported he is open to taking up the challenge. The problem with a potential Lampard move will be the fact that he didn’t necessarily do well in his managerial positions, especially at Chelsea, despite a huge transfer budget at his disposal.
Brighton manager Graham Porter is also a man in consideration for this job but he is an outsider as far as favorites for the job go.
