Rafael Benitez 'almost perfect' replacement - Danny Mills

Ex-Ajax boss Frank de Boer is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Roberto Martinez, who was sacked by the Goodison Park club on Thursday.

Benitez and Newcastle have had positive talks since relegation was confirmed, but Mills believes the ex-Liverpool boss could return to Merseyside.

"He lives there. His family is there and he'd be happy going back," he said.

Southampton's Dutch manager Ronald Koeman is also being linked with the Merseysiders, but Saints centre-half Virgil van Dijk said he was "confident" he would stay.

"I think he has done an amazing job so far. Hopefully we can do it next year as well and then it is about him and the club and what he wants to do," said the former Celtic player.

Rafael Benitez took over at Newcastle in March

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is an "almost perfect fit" for Everton, says former England defender Danny Mills.

Ex-Ajax boss Frank de Boer is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Roberto Martinez, who was sacked by the Goodison Park club on Thursday.

Benitez and Newcastle have had positive talks since relegation was confirmed, but Mills believes the ex-Liverpool boss could return to Merseyside.

"He lives there. His family is there and he'd be happy going back," he said.

Southampton's Dutch manager Ronald Koeman is also being linked with the Merseysiders, but Saints centre-half Virgil van Dijk said he was "confident" he would stay.

"I think he has done an amazing job so far. Hopefully we can do it next year as well and then it is about him and the club and what he wants to do," said the former Celtic player.

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Everton: Are you Wigan in disguise?

Martinez, 42, promised to deliver Champions League football for Everton when he replaced David Moyes in the summer of 2013 - and he finished fifth in his first campaign in charge with 72 points.

But this season his side have won just five league games at home and are guaranteed to finish with their lowest points tally at Goodison Park since 1981.

Benitez, who took charge at St James' Park with the Magpies second from bottom in March, has a break clause in his contract meaning he could walk away from the club if he wished following their demotion to the ChampionshipThe case for Benitez

Benitez started the season with Spanish giants Real Madrid but faces the prospect of the second tier of English football if he remains at Newcastle next season.

The 56-year-old led Everton's city rivals Liverpool to a Champions League win in 2005 and guided Chelsea to a Europa League success in 2013.

Benitez's family have remained in the north west of England following his six-year spell at Anfield.

"Rafa Benitez goes to Everton, Roberto Martinez goes to Newcastle. That's not beyond the realms of possibility," former Leeds United and Manchester City defender Mills told BBC Radio 5 live.

"He's got experience, I can't see him staying at Newcastle," said Mills, who added that the Spaniard's Liverpool history "doesn't matter".

But former Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas disagreed, arguing that Everton fans want to see attacking football.

"With Benitez, I can feel them going too defensive and they wouldn't be happy with that," he added.

The Newcastle Fans' Forum issued a direct plea to Benitez on Thursday, asking him to stay on Tyneside.

In a statement, it said: "Whilst we fully accept the short-term prospect of life in the Championship may not be as appealing as other offers, we can certainly promise you the potential rewards of the longer term would exceed any position that you consider."

The forum members urged the club to use "every possible resource" to try to retain Benitez, citing his "ability to connect with the fans".

(BBC)