Rafael Benitez is set to ‘take control of Everton’s recruitment process’ following the departure of Marcel Brands, The Mirror report.
The manager has the ‘full backing’ of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri despite a run of form that has seen the team slip to 16th in the Premier League.
The Mirror’s Simon Mullock writes that this represents victory for Benitez in his ‘power battle’ with former director of football Brands.
It emerged on Sunday that the Dutchman had left Goodison Park by mutual consent.
Brands’ track record
Brands was influential in bringing the likes of Lucas Digne, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ben Godfrey to Merseyside (via The Liverpool Echo).
But on the other hand, critics have accused him of ‘wasting time and money’ on pursuing Moise Kean, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Fabian Delph.
Benitez was reportedly the driving force behind last summer’s additions, which included Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend.
Twitter fan feed Toffee TV relayed The Mirror’s news, and here’s what supporters made of it, with nearly every fan who responded on social media absolutely furious…
Everton fans erupt at post-Brands plan
“The manager should never have full control of recruitment”
Credit: @Sanassee
“So we got exactly what we didn’t want lmao”
Credit: @chankin87
“Well this is absolutely terrifying”
Credit: @EvertonViking
“Getting exactly what he wanted . Refused to work with DOF at any other club . Things are getting beyond a joke now.”
Credit: @FrankHenshaw6
“Everton are going to the championship. Put your money on it it’s a done deal”
Credit: @gersonselema
“This will be Allardyce all over again”
Credit: @TerryMcAllister
In other news, fans fumed over this potential Benitez replacement.
