Rafa Benitez to Everton ‘gone quiet’ with club yet to offer contract but former Liverpool manager still an option despite fan protests at Goodison Park

Everton's move to bring in Rafael Benitez as their new manager has 'gone quiet' - but he remains in contention for the job.

The Spaniard was thought to have been close to the job last week, despite an outcry from fans over his connections to arch rivals Liverpool.

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But it appears Everton have yet to offer a contract to the former Reds boss, with the club perhaps listening to uphappy supporters following protests outside Goodison Park.

However, it is understood Benitez remains a serious option for the Merseysiders as they search for a top class manager to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout.

Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri moved to approach Benitez after inconclusive talks with Nuno Espirito Santo, who is now a target for Tottenham.

There’s little doubt about Benitez’s record and experience in the Premier League, with a long CV that boasts spells at Real Madrid, Chelsea and Newcastle United, titles in Spain with Valencia and a long list of European successes.

But the 2005 Champions League legend’s allegiance to Liverpool has led to a huge backlash from Everton fans, who have protested against the former Reds boss with x-rated banners outside Goodison Park.

talkSPORT’s Alex Crook brought us the latest news on the ongoing story, and it appears the protests have led to a delay in proceedings.

“Benitez to Everton looked quite close last week, but it’s all gone quiet,” he said.

“He was expecting a contract offer, but at the moment that contract offer doesn't seem to have materialised.

“I guess we can only read between the lines and say that Everton’s owners would be foolish not to listen to the supporters.

“We’ve seen protests and all sorts of banners put up outside their training ground and stadium.

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“I’d have to say that would be a little short sighted on behalf of Everton fans. Benitez has been there, got the t-shirt, I think he would be a good appointment at Everton if you can forget about the fact he won the Champions League with their arch rivals.”

It’s fair to say Everton supporters do not agree with that verdict, with Toffees legend Neville Southall telling talkSPORT Benitez would NEVER be accepted by supporters at Goodison.

Southall, who played more than 750 games as a goalkeeper for Everton over a 17-year spell at Goodison Park and won the First Divison, FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup, instead urged the club to give his old teammate Duncan Ferguson the top job.

“I think Rafa Benitez is a good manager. Is he right for Everton? No. Not a chance,” said Southall.

“Punters won’t wear it. He’s Liverpool. They won’t have it. He’s going to have to produce something special.

“I would rather have Duncan (Ferguson). We are never going to get relegated, he’s a good manager, he’s far too underrated.

“He started before Ancelotti getting us on a good run, he is knowledgeable in everything he does, he knows the club inside out, he knows the younger players. Why not give him a season’s contract?”