Farhad Moshiri has defended Everton’s decision to appoint Rafael Benitez as manager.
Benitez became the Blues’ fifth managerial appointment in as many years since Moshiri became the club’s majority shareholder in February 2016.
The Spaniard’s arrival at Goodison Park has caused uproar with fans due to his links with Liverpool, where he was in charge between 2004 and 2010.
His remarks that Everton were a ‘small club’ midway through that spell remains a particular bone of contention for many long-standing supporters.
Banners in opposition have been aired both at Goodison and one close to the 61-year-old’s Wirral home, which sinisterly warned ‘We know where you live’.
However Moshiri insists Benitez’s association with the Anfield club is a ‘distant connection’ when explaining why he was named Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
“We didn’t find anyone with his knowledge and passion for football,” he told TalkSport.
“On his computer he has maybe 3,000 players’ details. Name a player, he knows everything about them – injuries, history – and he just won’t stop.
“You can see his life is football, there is nothing else. He is an intelligent man who is obsessed with football.
“You can see he will bring passion to your team. At this stage with a major stadium project, you need to go for experience and a winning mentality.
“I’m the biggest fan and I have reacted in most cases to fans when there is discontent.
“When there were rallies and banners against [Roberto] Martinez, I acted. When I wanted to get David Moyes and there were protests, I didn’t take him.
“But this is the case where I think the connection is a very distant connection.
“He was as passionate a Liverpool manager, as he was Napoli manager, Valencia manager or Real Madrid manager.
“He’s a professional, dedicated manager who gives his soul to every club that he has been to.
“You need to pick up professionals who are dedicated and give everything to the team and the man is in love with the city of Liverpool, not so much a particular club.
“All the fans – and I am the biggest fan – will begin to appreciate the man he is. The man will be first in, last out at Finch Farm who gives everything.”