Everton fans have made clear their feelings on Rafael Benitez’s potential appointment.
Benitez held several rounds of talks this week with the Blues’ majority investor Farhad Moshiri over filling the managerial void left by Carlo Ancelotti.
News of the Spaniard’s prospective coronation has proved unpopular among the club’s supporters, with some airing frustrations outside Goodison Park.
Two banners were hung from the gates of the stadium late on Thurday night, declaring Benitez to be ‘not welcome’ and referred to his Liverpool links.
The 61-year-old spent six years at the helm with the Anfield club, during which he disparagingly described Everton as ‘a small club’ in 2007.
Despite leaving the Reds over a decade ago, he retains a strong personal link with the Merseyside area by continuing to reside there with his family.
Everton legend Neville Southall warned his old club’s hierarchy that the proposed move to install Benitez will not be accepted by supporters.
“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 (Ferguson). 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?”