Rafa Benitez is the new manager of Everton after agreeing a three-year deal.
It is a historic appointment by Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major shareholder, as Benitez becomes the first man to have managed both Liverpool and Everton since William Edward Barclay in the 1890s.
The Spaniard, 61, has had numerous meetings with Moshiri, including one in Italy last week, and has now finalised a deal to become Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
There has been no official announcement by the club but that will happen on Wednesday.
Benitez, a manager who has won the Champions League and the Europa League, has been working in the background since he first spoke to the Iranian billionaire three weeks ago.
He will be joined by his long-time ally, Paco de Miguel, who will become Everton’s fitness coach.
Benitez has always tended to appoint assistant managers who had connections with a club — Sammy Lee worked with him at Liverpool, Bolo Zenden went in alongside him at Chelsea — and he intends to talk to Duncan Ferguson about staying on.
Ferguson worked alongside Ancelotti and was keen to be considered for the role of permanent manager, but instead Benitez becomes Moshiri’s fifth appointment in as many years.
It is a decision that will divide fans — there have already been negative banners — and not receive unanimous backing within the club.
Moshiri has taken charge of the recruitment process ahead of director of football Marcel Brands.
Benitez, for his part, is simply eager to get down to work.
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