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Rafa Benitez discusses Everton sporting director Marcel Brands
that the relationship between him and Marcel Brands must be fluent – after being confirmed as the new Toffees manager. Despite a backlash from fans, Benitez has signed on at Everton until 2024. He has commented on working with Brands.
Benitez, 61, arrives at Everton having taken charge of 350 matches for the club’s Merseyside rivals Liverpool, between 2004 and 2010. He guided Liverpool to two Champions League finals, winning one famously in Istanbul. Now, he returns to Merseyside, but with Everton.
The ex-Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager spoke of how he has worked with sporting directors in the past – when asked about Brands. He spoke of the importance of being “fluent” with the Dutchman, and that the duo have already been in contact. Benitez says he “has a plan”.
“I worked in Spain for years with a Director of Football,” “Marcel is a professional. I am a professional. We will work together, we will keep talking, having meetings to talk about the Club’s idea, what we have to do in the future, about players.
“The communication between us has to be fluent and we will be talking with each other all the time. Really pleased with that [the structure]. I have already been in contact with him. I have the plan [for Everton’s summer transfer business].”
What do Everton duo Benitez and Brands need to do in the transfer market this summer?
There are numerous areas of the pitch that require decisions to be made. At right-back, the club could do with another option. A back-up to Jordan Pickford, more pace in attack and certainly a couple of wingers. Back-up to Dom Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez’s future will have to be sorted.
Plenty of work to be done, so as Benitez says, it is crucial that Brands and Benitez work as a team. If the duo can strike up a relationship and get things running well, then Everton have a real chance of breaking into Europe. The relationship between Brands and Benitez could be integral.
