Brigit Adongo
Everton manager Rafa Benitez has shared his experience having former Scottish national team striker Duncan Ferguson as his assistant manager at Goodison Park. Ferguson has played for Everton twice in his career and even retired at Goodison Park, so he was a great choice for Benitez’s assistant as he understands the team well.
But Rafa admits that working with the Scottish hasn’t been easy, especially when they first started out.
Though Benitez says things have gotten better, he still revealed that fully understanding Ferguson is a problem. “Sometimes I understand Ferguson, sometimes it is not easy,” he admitted.
The Toffees manager says he was unsure at first, but his assistant has been helpful in making important decisions, as the latter doesn’t just know the players well, he gives honest opinions. “…he gave you honest opinions on all of the players and everything. It was helpful,”the 61-year-old Spaniard said.
Being involved in Everton’s coaching team since 2014, Ferguson was considered as a possible replacement for Ancelotti. But he ended up working under Benitez, and as he uses his knowledge of the team to help out, he is also learning plenty from Rafa.
The two are doing great so far this season, propelling Everton to the fifth position in the EPL with only a single loss so far.
Perhaps knowing each other better, Rafa’s coaching experience and Ferguson’s knowledge about the Toffees will help the team book a sport to a European championship next year.
