Everton fans could get Benitez sacked amid ‘huge’ claim – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Rafa Benitez could succumb to fan pressure at Everton if he cannot inspire a quick turnaround.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 61-year-old is suffering from a lack of confidence and dressing room disgruntlement at Goodison Park.
Everton fans once again made their frustrations known throughout the Toffees’ 3-2 home loss against Brighton on Sunday (2 January) – with boos ringing around the ground on multiple occasions (per the Liverpool Echo).
The Merseyside club sit 15th after winning just one of their last five Premier League games.
Whelan insisted Everton are in “real trouble” after being sucked into a “relegation fight” in recent weeks.
“Benitez is under huge pressure, there’s no doubt about it,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“It’s a results business, so you can only see it going one way at the moment.
“They’re back in the relegation fight right now – they’re in real trouble. They’ve got no confidence, there’s disgruntlement within that dressing room – they need to hit some form and quickly.
“The board are giving him the opportunity to turn it around by backing him in this transfer market. However, we know the fans can get managers the sack, and right now they are really not happy with him.“
Everton are eight points clear of 18th-place Burnley, who have a game in hand on the Toffees.
Former Liverpool boss Benitez joined the Toffees last summer, signing a contract until 2024.
In other news, Premier League strugglers are plotting a raid for Everton defender.