Everton legend Neville Southall insists fans will not accept Rafael Benitez as manager.
Benitez is currently in the frame to fill the void left at Goodison Park by Carlo Ancelotti’s shock return to former employers Real Madrid earlier this month.
Several rounds of talks between the Spaniard and Blues’ majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri have taken place in anticipation of his official appointment.
But Benitez prospective arrival is already causing consternation within Everton’s fan base due to his previous links with local rivals Liverpool.
Goodison legend Southall has cautioned his old club against hiring the 61-year-old and believes ex-teammate Duncan Ferguson represents a better fit.
“I think Rafa Benitez is a good manager. Is he right for Everton? No. Not a chance,” he told TalkSport.
“Punters won’t wear it. He’s Liverpool. They won’t have it. He’s going to have to produce something special.
“I would rather have Duncan. We are never going to get relegated, he’s a good manager, he’s far too underrated.
“He started before Ancelotti getting us on a good run, he is knowledgeable in everything he does.
“He knows the club inside out, he knows the younger players. Why not give him a season’s contract?”
Ferguson took charge of four Everton games at the midway point of the 2019/20 campaign prior to Ancelotti’s feted arrival in late December.
However the former striker, who was made assistant manager by the Champions League-winning coach, is not under consideration for the top job.
Former Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was previously considered the favourite to take the reins before negotiations appeared to reach an impasse.