EVERTON fans hung anti-Rafael Benitez banners at Goodison Park after the Spaniard appeared to be lined up for the hotseat.
The ex-Liverpool manager, who won the Champions League in 2005 during his six years in charge, is worshipped at Anfield.
His connection to the Reds means Toffees supporters have been left fuming at the prospect of the coach, 61, taking charge.
On Thursday night, banners were seen outside Goodison amid the bitter fan backlash.
One read: “F*** off Benitez you fat Kopite c***”, while another stated: “Benitez not welcome.”
Benitez has held talks with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri and is set to inherit the mega £1million-a-month salary given to predecessor and Real Madrid-bound Carlo Ancelotti.
The Spaniard remains a favourite to take over but is joined by seven other candidates.
Nuno Espirito Santo, who has left Wolves, is also among the front runners for the job.
He was in talks to replace retiring Roy Hodgson, but talks collapsed, leaving the Portuguese coach searching for a new club.
The Everton board are said to also be considering current coach Duncan Ferguson, who was interim boss before Carlo Ancelotti took over.
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Former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, and Lille’s Ligue 1 title-winning manager Christophe Galtier remain other contenders.
Ancelotti, who worked with Madrid from 2013–2015, returned to the Spanish capital after Zinedine Zidane left for a second time.
Massimiliano Allegri was their first choice, but left their decision too late, leaving the Italian choosing a second spell with Juventus instead.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
