Rafa Benitez in pole position to land Everton job

Liverpool's former manager Rafael Benitez leading race to land Everton managerial job

Rafael Benitez is expected to be offered the managerial position at Everton after a third round of meetings with Everton's leadership.  

Everton are not rushing to appoint a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who left to become manager of Real Madrid.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who left Wolves last month, was also considered and is still in the running. Roberto Martinez, the Belgian coach who was fired as Everton manager by current owner Farhad Moshiri in 2016 is highly rated within the boardroom and could return to Goodison Park.

Benitez, who has managed Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle, is currently the first choice.

After winning the Champions League and the FA Cup during a six-year stint at Anfield, he might become the first man to manage both Merseyside clubs.

Everton is trying to explore more options for a manager before making a final decision.

Benitez's selection would be divisive, as many Everton supporters were outraged when he referred to them as a "little club" after a 0-0 Merseyside derby in February 2007.

The Spaniard, who still lives in the Liverpool area, is said to be excited about the prospect of revitalising Everton and believes that his tactics will win over sceptics.

When he was named Chelsea's interim manager in November 2012, he was met with a harsh reaction from the club's fans - the club's strong rivalry with Liverpool was on many supporters' minds - but he went on to lead the Blues to third place in the Premier League and won the Europa League.

Benitez recently managed Premier League side Newcastle, where he was a huge fan favourite, before joining Dalian Professional in China.