Rafa Benitez is Everton's new manager

Rafa Benitez has been confirmed as the new manager of Everton Football Club.

The former Liverpool manager succeeds Carlo Ancelotti, who took over from Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Benitez decision to joins the Toffees was congested by protests from Everton fans due to his affiliation with city rivals, Liverpool yet a three-year contract has been awarded to the Spaniard.

According to the Club’s Majority Shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, Rafa showed a great desire to steer the Toffees forward and is confident he will bring success to Goodison.

“Rafa impressed us greatly with his knowledge and experience but, above all, the passion and hunger he showed to join our Club,” he said.

“We are appointing Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our Club and to Evertonians. To put it simply - we need to be competing at the top-end of the league and to be winning trophies. Rafa is a proven winner with huge experience in coaching internationally and we have secured the best man to achieve that for us.”

The 61-year old revealed delight for joining the club and promised to help the club achieve its visions.

“I am delighted to be joining Everton. Throughout this process, I have been greatly impressed by the ambition shown by the senior representatives at the Club and their desire to bring success to this historic Club.

“I believe this is a Club that is going places. I’m determined to play a big part in helping this great club achieve its ambitions.”

He will commence work with the squad when they return to USM Finch Farm for pre-season training from 5 July.