Topics: Premier League, Everton, Rafa Benitez
The Spanish coach penned an emotional farewell message after his departure was confirmed on Sunday.

Rafa Benitez has paid a tribute to Everton Football Club with a heartfelt statement following his sack from the club just six months after his appointment. The sacking of Spanish coach was confirmed by the club on Sunday afternoon after his side fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against bottom-placed Norwich City in the Premier League.

The result on Saturday was the final nail in the coffin, causing the Everton board to call an emergency meeting last night in order to relive the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager of his duties. The defeat at Carrow Road left the Toffees just six points off the relegation zone, adding to their poor run of form which has since them lose nine of their last 12 league matches, despite beating Arsenal at home 2-1 in December.

"Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as First Team manager," the statement read. "Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the Club with immediate effect. An update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course."

In response to the decision taken by the club, Benitez issued his own statement thanking the club and wishing them the best for the rest of the season. 

"We knew it wouldn't be easy, and that it was a big challenge, both emotionally and in terms of sport," he said. "My love for this city, for Merseyside and its people, made me accept this challenge, but it is only when you are inside that you realise the magnitude of the task.

"From the very first day, my staff and myself worked as we always do, with commitment and full dedication, we didn't only have to get results, but we also had to win over people's hearts. However, the financial situation and then the injuries that followed made things even harder.

"I am convinced that we would have been better once the injured players were back and with the arrival of the new signings," Benitez added.

"The road to success isn't easy and sadly, nowadays in football there is a search for immediate results and there is always less and less patience; unfortunately circumstances have determined the results and it won't be possible to continue this project.

"In any case, thank you to the Board, to the staff, to the players, and to those fans who have supported us during this time."