Alan Brazil: Everton board exits on the cards after Rafa Benitez talks
Alan Brazil has claimed the Everton board has been thrown into chaos over the impending appointment of Rafa Benitez as manager, with multiple exits on the cards.
Ex-Liverpool boss Benitez is expected to be confirmed as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor after his final meeting with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri [Mirror], a decision that has already caused mass consternation among Blues fans.
That strong feeling is not limited to supporters, according to Brazil, who told talkSPORT [09:14, 17/06/21] that there are also issues with the decision at the top of the club.
“I’m told that there is a big problem in the board over this, a big, big problem in the board over this Benitez call,” Brazil said.
“If he takes the job it’s going to split the board right down the middle, with people perhaps leaving.
“There is a big, big split in the board over this. It’s not good.”
Divisive
Who are the boardroom members who could leave the club? Are they senior figures at the club?
Well, it sounds as if there are two big proponents for Benitez in Moshiri and Bill Kenwright. Moshiri is the one said to be the one that is pushing ahead with a deal for the Spaniard, while Duncan Castles reported previously on the Transfer Window podcast that Benitez was Kenwright’s next choice after David Moyes.
So, could it be director of football Marcel Brands that takes his leave? According to the Mirror, Brands is “concerned” about his potential appointment, given his previous “ambivalence” to working with a football director.
No one could blame Brands if he did depart this summer – surely he should be the one that is at the forefront of our hunt for a new manager? The Dutchman is the one who will have to work most closely with them, and they should align with his philosophy and ambitions.
But it appears that Moshiri is ready to override his thoughts on the matter.
There’s likely to be fury from long-standing members of the board as well, incandescent with rage that such an unpopular appointment could be made with an ex-Reds hero coming in to take charge.
This summer could be chaos all round, even after our manager situation is finally sorted.
In other Everton news, the Blues’ search for a new manager is nearly over as Farhad Moshiri schedules a final meeting to rubberstamp a contract for this coach.
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