REID MY LIPS
Everton legend: Rafa needs time to turn it around... as Kendall did in 80s
PETER REID knows it’s not a popular view among the Everton faithful, but the Toffees legend believes the club should stick with Rafa Benitez as manager.
Reid (right) never ducked a challenge as a combative midfielder and he knows support for Benitez from the Goodison Park fans is dwindling as rapidly as the club’s descent down the Premier League table.
Just six points from a possible 36 in their last 12 games sees Everton in 15th place, closer to the Championship than a place in Europe.
Slogans
Leicester’s visit on Tuesday night in the Premier League will once again see Benitez under the cosh from some of the fans.
But the former England player can remember the club being in a far worse state under Howard
Kendall before the massive turnaround, which has seen that 80s side lauded as the most successful in their history.
“Rafa Benitez hasn’t had a season yet and I remember what Howard
Kendall had to go through after being in charge far longer (two-and-a-half years),” Reid recalled.
“After a goalless draw against
Coventry, there was a clamour for him to be sacked. There were cushions tossed on to Goodison Park, slogans daubed on walls and leaflets saying his time was up.
“I played during those days when the crowds were down to 13,000 and there was talk of him getting axed if we didn’t win an FA Cup game at Stoke and a League Cup trip to Oxford.
“But Everton stuck by him and they went on to enjoy their most successful era. I’m not saying those glory days will be repeated, but it does show what you can achieve if you hold your nerve.”
Reid isn’t a fully paid-up member of the Benitez fan club – far from it – but insists it is too soon to be jettisoning the Spaniard.
He added: “If I’m honest, when he called Everton a small club, I wasn’t impressed. It was disrespecting the club and, of course, there was the Liverpool connection, so him getting the Everton job wasn’t for me. But, having been appointed, you’ve got to get behind him, it’s as
simple as that.
“When I go to Everton functions, I see the passion in the supporters, but also the frustration.
“It reminds me of my early years at Everton. The last time Everton won anything was in 1995, Joe Royle’s FA Cup-winning side.
Choice
“There has been no real direction for the club in recent years. We’ve got to go with the current manager – and, I repeat, initially he would not have been my choice – but he’s the only real option now.
“If he is given time and it still doesn’t work out then I will hold my hands up – I got it wrong.
“But look at the list of managers we’ve had recently. Top names, Carlo Ancelotti, Ronald Koeman, Big Sam (Allardyce). Chopping and changing managers doesn’t usually work. It has at Chelsea, but they appear a one-off.
“In any case, if Rafa was to go now, who would you get in? I don’t think there are any obvious candidates.
“The owner has made his choice and we have to back
him.”
Remember Howard Kendall was a game from being sacked after two years in charge... then led
Everton to their most