Everton sack Benitez after 6 months in charge

Premier League side Everton on Sunday sacked head coach Rafael Benitez after a run of results that has seen them drop into the battle to avoid relegation, reported Xinhua.

Benitez loses his job in the wake of Saturday's 2-1 defeat away to Norwich City, which means they have lost nine of their last 13 league matches and have just 19 points from their first 19 matches - the club's worst points tally at the halfway stage of the season since 2005-2006.

Benitez has only been in charge since the summer, but after a positive start to the season, they have only won one league game since October and thrashing losses, such as a 5-2 defeat at home to Watford and a 4-1 reverse to local rivals Liverpool, quickly turned already skeptical Everton supporters against him.

The Spaniard's past as Liverpool coach meant many fans were opposed to his appointment from the start and banners calling for him to go were shown among Everton supporters during Saturday's defeat and last weekend's narrow 3-2 FA Cup win away to Hull City.