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16th June 2021
06:56pm BST

Los Blancos fluttered their eyelids at Ancelotti and convinced the Italian to come back for another spell in one of the hottest seats in world football. Everton were left hunting for a new manager and there were even reports that 'Big' Duncan Ferguson could be off to Madrid to straighten out some of the Real lads as Ancelotti's assistant.
Ferguson is staying on at Goodison Park, it seems, but Everton are seeking a manager with more top flight experience to build on their generally positive 2020/21 campaign.
Nuno Espirito Santo was said to have interviewed for the job and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was on the club's initial shortlist. First mentioned on the day the Ancelotti bombshell dropped, it now seems former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is the frontrunner.
The Spaniard was manager at Liverpool for six seasons and, more recently, also coached Newcastle United in the Premier League. His last managerial role was with Dailan Professional in the Chinese Super League, but he is currently between clubs.
It has been reported by talkSport that the 61-year-old is 'on the brink of becoming the new manager of Everton'.
It will be interesting to see what Toffees supporters make of the appointment, should it go through. Benitez is fondly regarded from the red half of Merseyside, and led Liverpool to a European Cup win in 2005.
On the plus side, Benitez has won two league titles, three European titles and three domestic cups during his managerial career.
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