Danny Murphy tips Everton to be last job in management for Rafael Benitez after Leeds United snub
Rafael Benitez’s career as a manager might have ended with the Everton sack after he missed out on the Leeds United job, says Danny Murphy.
The 62-year-old has been out of work since he left Goodison Park under a cloud just over a year ago, and despite reportedly being interested in the Elland Road job [talkSPORT, 20 February] lost out to compatriot Javi Gracia who was appointed on Tuesday (21 February).
With his only other job since leaving Newcastle in 2019 a stint in China with Dalian Professional, Murphy, who recently touted the Spaniard as the right style for Leeds but admitted it was difficult to compliment the man who sent him packing from Anfield as a player, believes that clubs might have seen his Everton stint and calculated that he is a spent force.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Wednesday (22 February, 10.53am), when asked by Jim White why the 62-year-old is yet to get another job, Murphy answered: “I think maybe his day is done. Maybe the way he ended at Newcastle, going to China for the money.
“Maybe the way he struggled at Everton. Maybe it’s just not an appealing appointment any more, and I don’t think the Leeds fans were particularly keen.”
Over?
There wouldn’t be many Toffees fans who will miss Benitez, who it was clear to see when Farhad Moshiri appointed him was never the right man for the club, let alone with the benefit of hindsight.
Objectively he is no longer the same coach who won trophies earlier in his career, but it seems possible that there will be a club desperately hoping to avoid the drop that offers him another opportunity.
Everton have been there and done that, and are arguably still yet to fully recover, although the damage of his reign pales in comparison to the decision-making of Moshiri and his board to covers a far greater period.
Frank Lampard was a welcome change from Benitez a year ago but ran out of steam in a big way earlier this season, even if he can justifiably ask questions about the transfer market moves.
Sean Dyche has now come in and had a major effect, with six points from nine helping to turn things around at the bottom of the table.
The fanbase will be hoping that he is successfully in place for longer than either of his predecessors who didn’t last a full year, and that he can finally be the man to put a stop to the endless danger of relegation from the Premier League.
It has been some time now since Benitez left the club and if it is to be his last job in management it will have been an unhappy experience for both sides.