Everton fires boss Benitez

Rafa Benitez was fired by Everton after 200 days in charge on Sunday with a brutal 40-word statement that offered no thanks to the manager whose appointment was always contentious with fans. The Spaniard never overcame his successful association with Liverpool, whose stadium is only a mile from Goodison Park across Stanley Park, and his position became increasingly untenable as Everton sunk closer to the relegation zone. Everton has only one win in 13 league matches under Benitez.