Duncan Ferguson set for Everton assistant manager talks with Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez is set to hold crunch talks with Duncan Ferguson over the Scot becoming his assistant manager at Everton.

It appears a mere formality that Benitez will be appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor this summer, despite widespread derision from Everton supporters.

There is still no nailed-down date as to when the Spaniard will be formally confirmed, but writing on his personal Twitter profile on Friday evening, Daily Mail journalist Dominic King claims the ex-Liverpool boss will thrash out some important details this weekend.

Everton

He wrote: “Rafa Benitez will hold more talks with Everton this weekend to finalise his contract; he’s planning to bring Paco de Miguel with him as his fitness coach and intends to have discussions with Duncan Ferguson about being his assistant.

“No indication when an announcement will be.”

Familiarity

We were expecting Ferguson to stay on at Everton after talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook reported yesterday [Friday, 25/06/21] that Benitez was happy to work with some of the existing backroom team, including the ex-Blues striker.

But we were intrigued to find out what specific role he would be earmarked for – under Ancelotti, Ferguson was promoted to the role of assistant manager, and thus retained a great deal of power and influence.

The worry among some Blues fans was that Benitez would come in, assert his authority and diminish the role of Ferguson in a new-look team.

But it sounds like the Scot is set to be kept on as a major part of the Blues backroom staff and become Benitez’s assistant.

That’s vitally important for supporters to hear, given the great deal of trepidation we hold over the Spaniard becoming our manager.

At least there will be a loyal Blue voice in the dugout that we can relate to, even if there is an ex-Red patrolling the sidelines at the same time.

Ferguson’s experience and guidance will be vital this coming season.

In other Everton news, Don Hutchinson is dismayed at Benitez reports and urges the Blues to appoint Graham Potter.

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