Veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus claims he rejected the chance to replace Rafael Benitez as Everton manager earlier this year.
The 67-year-old, who inflicted a record European defeat on the Blues when his Benfica side beat David Moyes’ men 5-0 in Lisbon in 2009, has been out of work since his second spell in charge at the Estadio da Luz ended on December 28.
Jesus, whose Flamengo team were beaten 1-0 after extra time by Liverpool in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final, told Brazilian television station Spor TV : “When I left Benfica, I had the opportunity to coach around the world, especially in England, at Everton. I didn’t go to Everton because I’m used to winning titles and not games.”
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The much-travelled coach won a hat-trick of Portuguese League Championships during his first six-year spell in charge of Benfica, the only one of his 17 posts he’s remained in for more than three years while he also steered Flamengo to victory in Brazil’s Serie A.
Jesus was linked to Everton back in November 2019 when his compatriot Marco Silva’s job was under scrutiny but following his sacking the following month, the Blues appointed Carlo Ancelotti.
Another Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira was among the candidates during the last vacancy back in January after Benitez was sacked but many fans were not enamoured by his track record and their appetite waned further after his awkward telephone conversation with Sky Sports during the recruitment process that the network broadcast live.
Goodison Park chiefs subsequently appointed Frank Lampard who became an immediate hit with many of the supporters and has overseen an upturn in their flagging fortunes in recent weeks.
