Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny has offered his backing to manager Rafa Benitez, who he believes is the right manager for the club at this moment in time.
Benitez arrived at Goodison Park in the summer transfer window, when the Blues had to find a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti when he jumped ship to Real Madrid.
The move was a highly controversial one given Benitez’s relationship with fierce rivals Liverpool, where he spent six years earlier in his career and won the Champions League.
The Spaniard is still well-liked by the fanbase at Anfield, particularly because of comments in the past when he labelled Everton a ‘small club’.
That is something he’s tried to explain away in the intervening years, but it remains a bone of contention with some Everton fans.
There are also those who don’t believe he is the best manager the Toffees could have appointed, an opinion that has only been fuelled by a series of poor performances this season and a run that saw them go without a win in two months.
Benitez has been backed by owner Farhad Moshiri, though, so much so that director of football Marcel Brands has departed the club early due to clashes with the Spanish coach.
Kenny is not one of those questioning Benitez, and believes he is the best manager Everton could get at this point.
“All three are top coaches. But Rafa Benítez, I have to single out for me,” he told Transfermarkt in a discussion about his managers so far.
“It’s outstanding how much he goes into detail and the passion he has for football. Even though I’m not playing at the moment, I’m learning every day as a footballer.
“I’m not particularly concerned with things off the pitch. Marcel has always been good to me, and I’m very grateful to him for helping me with the loans. I wish him all the best for his future.
“The fans had a divided opinion of Rafa because he coached Liverpool. But we work with him every day, and I think he is exactly the right coach for Everton at the moment.
“If the fans get behind the team as they always do, especially as they did in the game against Arsenal, I’m very confident we’ll be successful with him.”
