New Toffees boss Benitez says fans ‘very supportive’
RAFAEL BENITEZ has said Everton fans have been “very supportive” after he was appointed manager of the Premier League club.
The Spaniard was appointed on a three-year deal following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure for Real Madrid at the end of last season but the move threatened to be an unpopular one with Everton supporters given Benitez’s achievements with rivals Liverpool, who he managed from 2004 to 2010.
Merseyside Police also investigated an antiBenitez banner hung close to his home prior to his appointment.
But the 61-year-old said he was not worried about the response of the fans and said he had been welcomed back to the city by supporters on both the blue and red sides of Liverpool.
“Evertonians around my place, they are quite happy and very supportive,” Benitez said at his first press conference as Everton manager.
“Even the Liverpool fans were very accepting of this opportunity for me to return to the Premier League, to compete for something. So it was a good feeling.
“Talking about the banners, we can talk about one or two people, you never know. I think it’s better to think about the positives, how a lot of people were encouraging me to do well and I’m happy with that.”
Benitez has managed Valencia, Inter Milan, Napoli, Real Madrid and Newcastle in his career, while his last position saw him take charge in the Chinese Super League.
Benitez said it showed how results on the pitch will determine how he is received at Goodison
Park.
“Liverpool is my city. We have connections in the red side and blue side, and now a lot of people in the blue side will be pleased if I am successful. So I don’t see a big issue.
“The fans appreciate that we will be here working hard for the team and the club. If we can do well, nobody will be taking about the past. I am thinking about the future. I know they want me to be successful and we can do it.” – The Independent