Big shift in Rafa Benitez odds for Everton job as Newcastle United fans wait on takeover developments

The former Newcastle United manager – whose family home is on Merseyside following his time at Liverpool – is keen to take a Premier League job following his departure from Chinese club Dalian Professional early this year.

And Benitez has been backed from 12/1 to 2/1 to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park. Ancelotti left the club last week to take over at Real Madrid.

BoyleSports spokesperson Sarah Kinsella said: "Nuno Espirito Santo is now the new favourite at even money from 12/1, but Rafa Benitez is a surprise contender to attract support with his chances now into 2/1 from 12/1 for a shock move to Goodison Park.”

Benitez – who left Newcastle in the summer of 2019 after failing to agree a new deal at the club – has been viewed as a candidate to return to St James’s Park in the event of a takeover. Owner Mike Ashley hopes to revive a £300million sale to a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium through an arbitration process.

For his part, Benitez still closely follows the fortunes of the Premier League club, now managed by Steve Bruce.

Speaking last month, the 61-year-old said: “When I left, I said it was a pity, because I was really happy there.

“You never know what can happen in the future. I follow every game, and I’m in contact with some of the players.

“I try to analyse and say ‘oh, I could do this and that’, because it’s natural for any manager to see how you could improve things.”