Rafa Benitez's Everton appointment 'in doubt' following fan backlash

Merseyside-based Benitez held talks with the Premier League club last week over the vacant manager’s position at Goodison Park.

However, some fans protested against the proposed appointment because of Benitez’s previous association with Liverpool, and Everton legend Neville Southall said: “I think Rafa Benitez’s a good manager, but is he right for Everton? No. Not a chance! He's Liverpool, the fans won't have it. If he comes into that ground, he’s going to have to produce something special.”

A deal had looked to be close, but talkSPORT today report that an expected contract offer “has not materialised”.

Benitez, out of work since leaving Dalian Professional early this year, had been linked with a return to Newcastle, the club he managed for more than three years, in the event of a proposed £300million sale to a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium being resurrected through legal action.