Everton must jettison Martinez for Benitez

As it currently stands there is no way that Roberto Martinez can possibly remain at the helm as Everton manager.

Results cannot be ignored and the sooner the Spaniard is removed from his post the sooner Everton can begin to try and repair the damage that he has inflicted over the last two seasons.

With comments made from players such as Leighton Baines and Gareth Barry in recent days it appears Martinez has lost the players, which makes his position untenable.

Anytime a managerial position becomes available many names will be linked and the next appointment Everton make will be vital in trying to keep a talented squad intact and taking the club in the right direction. It might take hell freezing over, but could Rafa Benitez be that man?

Given the long association Benitez has had with Liverpool it seems impossible that he would entertain the idea of managing Everton. Conversely, would Everton fans be prepared to give Benitez a chance?

Benitez did not endear himself to Everton fans when he described Everton as “a small club” after a 0-0 draw against Liverpool in 2007. Benitez did explain he was misquoted and apologised to then manager David Moyes after the match.

When Rafa Benitez was looking for a new job after his Liverpool exit he did discuss being linked with Everton after David Moyes left the club. “It would not be easy for them to approach me or for me to go there,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for Everton, but obviously it would be very difficult for me [having had the Liverpool job] as well.”

But if football has taught us anything that is never say never.

Benitez was quoted when previously linked with a move to Chelsea: “I would never take that job, in respect for my former team at Liverpool, no matter what. For me there is only one club in England, and that’s Liverpool.”

The quote might have been from 2007 but he eventually ended up at Chelsea and is now at Newcastle, so things change.

As disappointing as this season has been for Everton a high level of optimism from fans is present. Fan views on the current manager are excluded from this optimism.

Everton’s new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has promised an injection of funds. Not only on new players, but new contracts to the stars in the current squad, upgrading current training facilities and most importantly working to find a new stadium site.

For the first time in a long time Everton feel they can compete with other clubs financially and the club has long-term direction backed by Moshiri.

So what would Benitez offer that Roberto Martinez can’t? Well for a start he is a competent manager with proven results in top leagues around the world. You only need to look at the Rafa Benitez CV to see he has managed at some of the biggest and successful clubs in the world.

Like any manager he had his detractors over the journey, but he has a record that speaks for itself with individual and various club awards. More than what can be said for the current Spaniard at Everton.

The Premier League next season already promises to be an intriguing one with a host of managerial changes. Pep Guardiola takes charge at Manchester City, Antonio Conte will join Chelsea and rumours continue to circulate that Jose Mourinho will take over at Manchester United.

Newcastle are currently second from bottom so have a lot of work ahead to avoid the drop. Benitez knew the task when he took over and a clause is in place he can walk away if Newcastle are relegated. A move to Everton would be another chapter in Premier League unpredictability.