By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Everton Football Club have confirmed the departure of Rafael Benitez as first team manager after just six-and-a-half months in charge following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Norwich.
Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the Club with immediate effect.
Everton held an emergency board meeting on Saturday night and it is understood a compensation deal has already been agreed with the Spaniard.
Benitez was only appointed Everton manager in June – a highly controversial move given his previous time in charge of Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
It was a major gamble from Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri – and it has spectacularly failed to come off.
Everton have lost nine of their past 13 league games, including a 4-1 home defeat by Merseyside rivals Liverpool and a 5-2 home defeat against relegation strugglers Watford.
The woeful run of form means they now sit 15th in the Premier League table, just six points above of the bottom three.
The club will provide an update on a permanent replacement in due course.