Premier League side, Everton, have announced the signing of former Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez as their new manager.

He was signed on a three-year deal ending in June 2024.

WuzupNigeria reported that the Toffees began negotiations with the former Newcastle coach about two weeks ago having been lined up as a possible replacement for immediate-past manager, Carlo Ancelotti who recently rejoined Real Madrid.

According to reports, Benitez was approached by Italian clubs but the 61-year-old Spaniard opted to join the Merseyside club and has signed a contract with the club.

UK Guardian reports that Benitez was appointed after the club held talks with Nuno Espírito Santo who has been tipped to replace Jose Mourinho as the head coach of Tottenham.

The Merseysiders also expressed interest in their former manager David Moyes who has since signed a contract extension with West Ham United.

“I am delighted to be joining Everton,” Benítez said. “Throughout this process, I have been greatly impressed by the ambition shown by the senior representatives at the club and their desire to bring success to this historic club.

“I believe this is a club that is going places. I’m determined to play a big part in helping this great club achieve its ambitions.”

Everton’s majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri said: “Rafa impressed us greatly with his knowledge and experience but, above all, the passion and hunger he showed to join our club.

“We are appointing Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our club and to Evertonians. To put it simply: we need to be competing at the top end of the league and to be winning trophies. Rafa is a proven winner with huge experience in coaching internationally and we have secured the best man to achieve that for us.”

Benitez managed Everton’s rivals, Liverpool, from 2004 to 2010 and lifted the Champions League, FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup during his time at Anfield.

He won the Europa League with Chelsea as interim boss in 2012 before he oversaw Newcastle’s relegation from the top-flight in 2016 and then returned to the Premier League in 2016/17 after they gained promotion from the Championship.