Former Everton striker Marcus Bent believes that Rafa Benitez would prove a success at the club, but doesn't think he's the right fit for the Merseysiders.

It's been more than a month since Carlo Ancelotti swapped Goodison Park for the Bernabeu, with Everton yet to find a replacement despite talks with several candidates.

Nuno Espirito Santo looked likely to become the Italian's replacement, but Benitez has since moved ahead of him in the race with The Athletic reporting on Thursday that he looks certain to get the job.

However, there has been a serious backlash surrounding the potential appointment of the Spaniard, who's a legendary figure across Stanley Park having won both the Champions League and FA Cup during his six seasons at Anfield.

14 years ago, after a draw at Anfield in the Merseyside derby, Benitez hit out at Everton by calling them a "small club".

And Bent exclusively told Football FanCast that he reckons that jibe from Benitez didn't sit well with the Goodison Park faithful:

"Speaking to people behind the scenes at Everton – he's always done well wherever he has gone.

"He could bring names in and would probably do well at Everton, but the problem is that he lashed out at Everton when he was at Liverpool saying they were a smaller club, so the fans wouldn't be happy to see him appointed.

"I don't think he's the right fit for us, I think there's other managers out there that could come in and do a good of a job as he can."