Rafa Benitez Turned Down Huge Everton Transfer Just Weeks Before Sacking

Everton fans will be even more frustrated with Rafa Benitez, after finding out their former boss could have made a huge signing just weeks before his sacking.

No one really could have seen things going well for Benitez as soon as he was appointed as manager at Goodison Park in the summer, after Carlo Ancelotti left.

From the start of his reign it was a partnership that Everton fans didn't want, due to the fact the 61-year-old is a club legend at rivals Liverpool, having led them to the 2005 Champions League, and Reds' fans even sang his name on Sunday.

The fact the club sold Lucas Digne just a few days before the loss to Norwich and eventual sacking will only annoy Toffees' fans more and they won't be happy to learn their manager also turned down an incoming move.

According to the Mirror, the former Real Madrid boss turned down the chance to bring Philippe Coutinho to the club, despite terms being agreed with Barcelona for the loan deal.

Coutinho could have moved to Everton instead of Villa. Image: PA Images

The report says that the now ex manager had wanted complete control of transfers at the club, which is why he pushed for former director of football Michael Brands to be sacked.

With the club agreeing the move for Coutinho without their manager, he decided to turn down a move for the former Liverpool midfielder.

Instead the Brazilian moved to Aston Villa until the end of the season, to join up with previous teammate Steven Gerrard, and the move is already paying off for both.

Coutinho made his debut at the weekend, coming on as a substitute as Villa trailed Manchester United 2-0, the 29-year-old scored a late equaliser, after Jacob Ramsey had earlier made it 2-1.

Digne might not have left Everton if Benitez had gone earlier. Image: PA Images

Whether or not Coutinho would have agreed to join Everton, considering his past with the red half of Merseyside, or if their fans would have accepted him is another question.

The fact that Benitez had such an overarching say on what happened at the club is likely to annoy them though.

His replacement could come in the form of a very familiar face, with Belgium manager Roberto Martinez favourite to make a return to the club he left in 2016.

Reportedly talks have already begun, despite the World Cup later this year where Belgium would be one of the favourites, and if not then Wayne Rooney and Duncan Ferguson are amongst the other candidates.