RAFA BENITEZ has been given a huge vote of confidence by Everton after owner Farhad Moshiri let Marcel Brands quit as director of football.
The Dutchman has been in the £2m-a-year role since 2018 but a number of big-money transfer failures have led to a major backlash.
In addition, he did not recommend the appointment of Benitez as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement as manager at Goodison in the summer.
Now, having been confronted by an irate fan in the stands after the 4-1 Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool last week, Brands has decided to walk away from the Blues.
He spent Sunday in talks with the club to negotiate his severance package before his departure was officially announced.
A club statement read: “Everton Football Club can confirm that Marcel Brands has left his post as Director of Football.
“Brands joined Everton from PSV Eindhoven in June 2018 and was appointed to the Club’s Board in 2019.
“The Owner and Directors would like to thank Marcel for the service he has given to the Club over the past three and a half years and wish him well for his future.
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“A strategic review of the football structure will now take place which will inform the best model for the Club to proceed with in the long-term.
“In the meantime, the Owner and Board of Directors will continue to provide our manager, Rafa Benitez, with their full support.’”
Benitez’s appointment was hardly a popular one after his previous Champions League-winning exploits across Stanley Park at Anfield.
And pressure has been mounting after a miserable run of results has led to the Toffees sliding down the table.
However, Moshiri believes Benitez needs time to stamp his authority and influence throughout the club.
Now the exit of Brands seems to be further proof of how much faith Moshiri and the Blues have in the ex-Newcastle and Real Madrid man.
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