Rafa Benitez to be next Premier League manager sacked odds revealed as ‘main’ Everton replacement named

Rafa Benitez has found himself under fire as he aims to find the solutions to turn around Everton’s wretched form.

More pressure may fall on the Spaniard as the Toffees prepare for one of the biggest games of their season.

Background

After a bright start to the 2021-22 campaign, results at Goodison Park have nosedived.

Everton have picked up just two points in their past seven matches - and won only one of their previous nine games.

A meek 1-0 defeat to Brentford on Sunday left supporters who had made the trip to the capital incensed at the full-time whistle.

As a consequence, the Blues have dropped to 14th in the table and some are fearing a relegation battle could be on the cards.

Benitez pressure

Although many fans are well aware that problems lie deep at Everton, pressure on Benitez has intensified ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

There were frustrations just one substitute was made at Brentford despite the visitors chasing an equaliser.

Three strikers - Ellis Simms, Lewis Dobbin and Cenk Tosun - were left unused, with only Demarai Gray brought on.

What are the bookies saying?

Benitez is the heavy favourite to be the next Premier League manager to face the axe, as per Oddschecker.

Paddy Power and Betfair have him priced up as 4/6 to be the seventh top-flight boss to be sacked this season.

Meanwhile, Bet Victor (evens) and Sky Bet (5/4) are slightly bigger in the market.

The second favourite to be given his marching orders is Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhuttl. He is a general 5/1 shot.

Has a potential replacement been mentioned?

There have been few suggestions that Benitez is close to departing.

During the summer, his transfer business was constrained by financial fair play problems he inherited and he could spent just £1.7 million.

Meanwhile, this season, Everton have been hit by injuries to key players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

But there are reports on the continent that Everton have earmarked a potential replacement if they part ways with Benitez.

Spanish media outlet Fichajes reports that Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand is the ‘main candidate’.

In Italy, Calciomercato also claims the Blues are thinking of Hjulmand.