Everton manager Rafael Benitez insists he cannot be expected to fix the club’s problems of the past in five months as he bids to solve “four or five years of frustration”.
As a former Liverpool manager, Benitez has never been a popular figure among supporters but when away fans started chanting abuse during Sunday’s defeat at Crystal Palace after he substituted the injured Richarlison the public show of dissent did not look good for his prospects.
However, he has spoken to owner Farhad Moshiri since then and remains confident in his position and long-term plan for the club.
“I was talking with Mr Moshiri this morning. I have meetings with the chairman, the chief executive and they are supporting me,” said Benitez, whose side have taken just four points from the last 30.
“I have a lot of fans that are telling me the same. They know the problems are not just ones you can fix in just five months.
“When I talk with the owner, the chairman and the chief exec nearly every day we talk about what we want to do for the future, not just the present
Asked whether he felt his job was secure, Benitez added: “Yes, the idea was to be here three years-plus with the new stadium. You still have to keep doing your job. One game will put us in the top 10.”
He has been unlucky with injuries with last season’s top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin out since August, Abdoulaye Doucoure missing over a month with a broken foot, and Richarlison and Andros Townsend joining the likes of Yerry Mina and Tom Davies currently sidelined.
