Phillips issues ‘big’ Brands claim after Everton source’s sack reveal
Kevin Phillips is adamant Everton director of football Marcel Brands is more culpable for this season’s woes than manager Rafael Benitez.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Sunderland and England striker said Brands, 59, has “had a big say over signings” that have ultimately been unsuccessful.
The Toffees have sunk to 15th in the Premier League table after picking up just two points from their last eight league fixtures.
An Everton source told Football Insider (3 December) that Brands is “90 per cent likely” to be dismissed following the woeful run.
It comes after Farhad Moshiri publicly backed under-fire manager Rafa Benitez on Thursday.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the latest, Benitez said: “There is good and bad from the manager’s point of view.
“Brands has had a big say over the signings. When things don’t go great on the pitch he has to take some responsibility.
“I have always said that the manager should have the first, second and last say on transfers. In that case, when things go wrong, there is only one person you point a finger at.
“I’m not surprised to hear Brands is under pressure. It should be more on him than Benitez.”
Brands joined the set-up at Goodison Park in 2018 and he signed a new three-year deal in April.
He has overseen the big-money signings of Richarlison, Alex Iwobi, Yerry Mina and Moise Kean.
In other news, a pundit has shares an ‘incredible’ verdict on Premier League manager replacing Benitez at Everton after source’s update.