Benitez told his job is safe

FARHAD MOSHIRI has assured Rafa Benitez his job is safe as he believes the Spaniard needs time to revive Everton’s fortunes.

Though the club made a bright start to the campaign, they have slipped in recent weeks and the manager has found his abilities to assemble a winning team compromised by a number of injuries on the back of a difficult summer transfer window.

Everton have not won since September 25 and have only scored four goals in the last six games.

Bill Kenwright, Everton’s chairman, visited Benitez at the club’s training base earlier this week and owner Moshiri has also been in regular contact to stress that he has the board’s backing.

‘I don’t want to be here for three years, I want to be here for even more,’ said Benitez, ahead of a trip to Brentford tomorrow. ‘I want to be here for the new stadium and try to be successful.

‘I think Mr Moshiri is quite clever and we cannot complain because he has spent a lot of money. He is trying to improve the team and the club in every sense.

‘He wants to do well but he knows, from when we had conversations in the beginning, they have to support me.

‘They have to support the structure in general, so that we can improve. All the conversations with him have been positive.

‘But we have to be realistic. If we analyse what happened in the summer window and what will happen in January, it’s not easy to find exactly what you want. But it is important to change something.

‘We tried to improve these areas and I think we did it without spending money.’

Financial Fair Play restrictions meant that Everton were only able to spend £1.7million last summer and the winter window will be similar.

Benitez was assured, nonetheless, by Kenwright that Everton will do all they can to get the players he needs.

It is a difficult time for the club but this period is a product of the errors that have been made in recruitment dating back to former director of football Steve Walsh.

‘We have to be clever enough to find players we will use in the right way, but they will not be exactly the players who are top of the list for everyone,’ added Benitez.