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Rafael Benitez exclusive: Former Everton manager says he can’t manage club his way due to ties with Liverpool | Football news


Rafael Benitez says it is not possible to manage Everton the way he wants due to his history with rivals Liverpool.

Benitez, who won the Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time at Anfield from 2004 to 2010, became Everton boss in July 2021 but was sacked six months later. after working to improve results and win the support of supporters.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports NewsThe Spaniard said he has no regrets about taking over at Goodison Park but admits he has struggled to make certain decisions because of his relationship with Everton’s Merseyside rivals.

Benitez won the Champions League as Liverpool manager in 2005
Picture:
Benitez won the Champions League as Liverpool manager in 2005

“By the time Everton came in with the offer, I knew I was going to give my best and do everything to try to improve things,” he said. “I know it can be difficult because I was at Liverpool, so maybe I couldn’t make some decisions. It was very clear to us at the beginning.

“I had a meeting with the head of one of the departments and I asked him ‘do you think everything is fine?’ He said ‘yes, everything is perfect.’ I think ‘600 million pounds has been spent, it can’t be perfect when the owners are not happy and the fans are not happy.’

“So I realized we had to change things internally, but I couldn’t do it right away because I’m ex-Red and could be seen as ‘oh, he came to change the sentence. our club”.

“At another club I would make those decisions. I’ve done that in the past, because you know very well that’s the way to improve, but at Everton I wasn’t able to do that. there.”

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‘Gordon begins to realize its potential’

One current Everton player that Benitez knows well is Anthony Gordon. The winger has been tipped to move to Chelsea in the summer, but the Toffees are adamant he is not for sale.

Benitez believes Gordon, who has scored twice in seven Premier League games this season, is starting to reach his full potential but admits he initially doubted the 21-year-old.

“We played a friendly in Miami pre-season and after 50 minutes he couldn’t run,” said Benitez.

“We know he’s a player with quality on the ball, he can shoot, pass and speed. But he can’t run. We talked to him after the game. It was very hot, But he is a young player.

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We take a look back at Anthony Gordon’s best moments from his time in the Premier League with Everton so far

“I’ve talked to the coaches in the academy and my assistants and they say they’re not sure. They know he has talent but maybe it’s his mentality.

“We spent some time with him, but the main thing was to change his mentality and he really wanted to do that. He worked really hard, he improved his stamina and he’s getting better and better because he has potential.

“He has to improve some parts of his game, he knows that. But I’m really pleased to see him improve because he’s a good guy.”

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