Yerry Mina was left without a coach: Rafa Benítez was kicked out of Everton

Yerry Mina played eight games at Everton under the command of the Spanish coach, Rafa Benítez. Photos: @Everton

On the morning of this Sunday, Everton confirmed that he dismissed Rafa Benítez as technical director of the English team, where the Colombian Yerry Mina plays. The determination came just hours after the ‘Toffees’ fell 2-1 to Norwich, who were bottom of the Premier League standings.

The original Liverpool squad released the news in a statement, in which it explained that the decision is of “immediate effect” and that the institution will rule “on a permanent replacement in due course.”

The Spanish coach’s time at Everton lasted very little: it was just over six months that he was in charge of the squad. He arrived in June 2021 after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid and, from the first moment, speculation began about possible conflicts with James Rodríguez, whom he had already managed in the ‘Merengue’ team (2015-16).

In fact, since the Spanish strategist took office, the ’10’ of the Colombia team did not have minutes, partly because he was in quarantine for being positive for covid-19, but also due to technical decisions. Before leaving for football in Qatar, James spent more than four months without playing, even though, according to versions of the player, he was in full physical form in September.

Curiously, Benítez had a good start to the season with Everton. In the first five games that the team led, they were undefeated with four wins and one draw, reaching fourth place in the Premier League. However, the 3-0 loss against Aston Villa on Matchday 5 was the turning point in their performance.

From that moment on, the ‘Toffees’ played 16 games and could barely win three of them; the others resulted were three draws and ten losses. The panorama for Everton is sensitive, since, being in box 15, it is only six points behind the first team in the relegation zone: Norwich with 13 units. The squad’s last victory dates back to December 6, when they won 2-1 against Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Already for several days the patience of the fans of the English team was full. After the last loss by league, posters could be seen in the stands that said: “Benítez, leave our club”, accompanied by insults and other recriminations. In addition, an enraged fan jumped onto the pitch to confront the Iberian coach; however, he was stopped in time by security members.

Everton fans claim coach Rafa Benítez after the 2-1 loss to Norwich City. This result triggered his departure. Photo: REUTERS/Chris Radburn

Beyond the speculation about the relationship with James Rodríguez, the truth is that Yerry Mina was a regular player for Benítez as long as he was available. During this season, the defender born in Guachené, Cauca, accumulated eight games (524 minutes), all played in the Premier League.

But do not forget that Mina was absent in most commitments, mainly due to injury problems. Between October 17 and December 1, the soccer player ‘Cafetero’ was out of the fields due to thigh problems. On December 6, he returned for the match against Arsenal, but he relapsed again and only spent 31 minutes on the pitch.

It took more than a month for Yerry to appear again in an official match with Everton. And it was precisely in the aforementioned fall against Norwich, in which he entered at minute 56 ‘.

Yerry Mina in Everton’s most recent match, in which he faced Norwich City for date 22 of the Premier League. Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

Now the need for the 27-year-old defender is to be in good physical condition. Next Wednesday, the Colombian national team coach, Reinaldo Rueda, will announce the squad list for the double qualifying date against Peru in Barranquilla (January 28) and against Argentina as a visitor (February 1).

KEEP READING:

Farid Díaz, Copa Libertadores champion with Atlético Nacional, retires from professional footballReinaldo Rueda explained why he did not take Teófilo Gutiérrez into account for the Colombian National Team friendly

---