Rafa Benitez to Everton: A move which would divide a club and a city

They say in football you should never go back.

Don't go back to familiar surroundings, to a city or club in which fond memories have already been made and immortalised.

But what about if you go back, with a twist?

This is exactly the situation surrounding Rafa Benitez right now, as one of football's most fascinating summer tales begins to unfold.

The legendary Spaniard is without a club and has been so since leaving Chinese outfit Dalian Pro in January.

Now, Benitez is back on Merseyside spending time at his family home. The same family home in which he put his roots down after becoming Liverpool manager in 2004.

Benitez spent six joyous years at Anfield and now, over a decade on, is tipped to make a sensational managerial return to Merseyside... but this time in the blue of bitter rivals Everton.

It is poised to become the most unbelievable saga of the summer, given that Everton's managerial search has come out of nowhere and now, of all people, a bonafide Liverpool legend is among the front-runners.

Of course, Everton did not expect to find themselves in this position.

A large majority of the fanbase were still experiencing the second-hand euphoria of having a manager of Carlo Ancelotti's standing as their boss. Despite an underwhelming 10th place finish, it still seemed scarcely believable.

Ancelotti was supposed to be the man to lead Everton into a fresh, brighter future.

The money was in place, as were plans for a shiny, state-of-the-art new stadium.

Yet Ancelotti's painful desertion looks set to leave scars. Many supporters have been left feeling like the rug has been pulled clean from beneath them.

For Everton to move quickly onto another manager with a rich history for winning league titles and European Cups, it would certainly mark some form of a silver lining.

But, if that man is Benitez, the debate surely takes on a whole new dimension.

The 'small club'

For many Evertonians, Benitez's name will always be synonymous with those two words: 'small club'.

It was the ultimate cutting blow from the Spaniard, who back during his Liverpool days inflicted the perfect parting blow on the Toffees after being left frustrated during a tense Merseyside derby.

Speaking at the time, following a goalless draw in 2007 when his Liverpool side were going for the title, Benitez said: 'I was really disappointed because one team wanted to win the game and one team didn't want to lose it.

'Everton put eight or nine men behind the ball and defended deep but that's what small clubs do.'

Everton's joy at being able to nullify their noisy neighbours quickly turned to scathing anger.

Benitez, prior to this point, had already left the world of football flabbergasted by guiding Liverpool to Champions League victory in Istanbul, and spent the years that followed rapidly improving the team in his own image.

Everton fans had cause to resent Benitez - he was helping their bitter rivals grow while at Goodison things felt as though they were going backwards.

In the years after Benitez's remark, he was widely abused during derby matches and chanted at from the stands. Evertonians never forgot his bitter words, and took huge delight in Benitez's side of the 2008-09 season missing out on the title by the finest of margins.

Years later, Benitez would rectify his comments during a Monday Night Football session with Sky Sports.

He said: 'I made a mistake when I said it was a small club.

'What I wanted to say was they are a small team because in this game I remember they had one chance.

'Liverpool fans they were happy and the Evertonians were upset. But I didn't want to say they were a small club I wanted to say they were a small team.'

Liverpool loyalties

After an action-packed and emotion-tinged six years at Anfield, Benitez was truly taken to the heart of every Liverpool fan.

From the glory and sheer ecstasy of Istanbul, to nearly ending the long wait for a league title. Benitez brought hope back to the red side of the city, and reestablished the club as a European superpower once more.

It often goes forgotten, but Benitez took the Reds to the Champions League final again just two years after Istanbul, before then making them semi-finalists a season later.

For the big games and the big occasion, Benitez was the man.

His humble nature and charm endeared him to everybody, and his close links with the Hillsborough families and the justice campaign solidified his status as an adopted Scouser.

A move to Everton, therefore, would undoubtedly leave a bitter taste. It's important to note that the Toffees won't be appointing their next manager to simply steady the ship - the club seriously intend to kick on and compete for major honours.

Could Liverpool fans really stomach the sight of Benitez lifting a piece of glistening silverware while surrounded by a sea of Everton shirts and the tune of Z-cars booming out?

Early reactions to the rapidly mounting speculation of Everton's interest in Benitez quickly spread across social media for all to see.

One Liverpool fan wrote on Twitter: 'Given time and resources, he would make Everton hard to beat.'

Another simply added: 'Rafa loves Liverpool. He wouldn't...'

Except the consensus, however, is that Benitez would indeed be inclined to take on the Everton project. The 61-year-old has never made any secret of the fact he adores managing in the Premier League, with its high level of competition and passionate support worldwide.

At Newcastle he had almost everything he wanted, and it was due to the love of the fans he remained on Tyneside even after the club was relegated. What lacked, however, was the financial backing and the belief that goes with this.

At Goodison, Benitez would be handsomely backed and have his blueprint for success followed to a tee. The issue, though, in a rather contrasting situation, would be the fanbase itself.

Sceptical Toffees

A quick search online gives an instant flavour of Evertonian reception to Benitez potentially becoming boss.

On Twitter, Everton fan @PaulPower92 wrote: 'Can't even believe people are entertaining the idea of Benitez being the Everton manager, f*** right off.'

It was a sentiment which appeared to be widely held.

A scan of the Everton fan forums revealed a more sceptical nature, with supporters clearly still feeling the sting of Ancelotti's desertion.

A season-ticket holder on Everton's GrandOldTeam fan forum wrote: 'It's proven what Benitez can do but is this really what we want right now in the situation we're in? A proper can of worms appointment, with no guarantee. Would probably spend well but this just wouldn't sit right for so long.'

Some fans have, however, shown signs of being more rational, and appreciating that Benitez is a successful manager who would offer some degree of standing to the Everton role.

However, it has also been noted by many that perhaps the styles of bosses such as Benitez, and the likes of his long-time rival Jose Mourinho, have become more dated.

'Football has changed seems to be more about passing and attacking. This is the reason these defensive managers like Carlo Benitez & Mourinho are dying out,' reasoned one supporter on Twitter.

While many fans of a blue persuasion on Merseyside are wary of having another season in the wilderness, the prospect of having an elite level manager who is already settled in the local area is an enticing one, regardless of previous allegiances.

New ideas?

One thing for sure with Benitez is that a club knows what they are getting.

The Spaniard has proved himself time and time again in being a mightily impressive coach. He may demand complete dedication but ultimately he makes individual players - and football teams - markedly better.

Steven Gerrard is a prime example. The Liverpool legend has reflected back upon his career several times and admitted he did not have the warmest of relationships with Benitez - yet he learned so much under the former Valencia man that his all-round game improved exponentially.

After taking Liverpool to the European final with the likes of Djimi Traore and Igor Biscan, Benitez would later in his career prove he is not simply a one-trick pony.

At Newcastle he created a balanced and rigid side with little funds or additional help. The Magpies were a solid Premier League outfit under Benitez, albeit treading water because of a lack of support from the club.

It wouldn't be the first time Benitez has made a controversial move, either. Many football fans forget that the Spanish coach undertook a brief period as interim manager of Chelsea following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo.

Benitez steadied the ship at Chelsea, despite the majority of fans inside Stamford Bridge simply failing to take to him. The manager was abused inside his own stadium, yet this didn't stop Benitez leading the club to Europa League glory with victory over Benfica in the final.

Perhaps this is food for thought for Everton fans, though it must be noted that many are now yearning for somebody with new ideas. A completely clean slate.

Names such as Graham Potter have been mooted - the exciting Brighton manager who is widely held up as the prime example of the modern-day English coach with ideas of great European influence.

Just as their rivals Liverpool took a gamble on Brendan Rodgers in 2012, Everton could likewise move for a young, unproven British coach with plenty of ideas.

Ex-Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, former Lyon boss Rudi Garcia, Real Betis' Manuel Pellegrini and former Lille coach Christophe Galtier have all been linked with the vacancy as club chiefs look to make the right appointment.

But with timing being paramount in football, the Toffees do need to move quickly, however, or run the risk of scrambling for a manager in the final weeks of the summer, with pre-season having already begun.

Likewise, the transfer window is set to take its usual shake-up as the presence of an international summer tournament hikes interest in players and distorts transfer fees.

There are some very big decisions to be made at Goodison Park in the coming weeks, and perhaps it's time for a fanbase as a collective to brace itself.

One way or another, in favour of Benitez or against, not everybody is going to be left happy.