Everton could be set to repeat their failings of the past as they eye a Frank Lampard successor...

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That's according to the Telegraph's Matt Law, who has claimed that Ralph Hasenhuttl still has admirers among the Goodison Park hierarchy and could be considered a viable candidate to replace the departed Englishman, alongside Marcelo Bielsa and Sean Dyche.

Having been sacked by Southampton earlier in the season, the Austrian would hardly represent an exciting capture for the Toffees, who remain firmly engrossed in a relegation battle.

Benitez repeat

In fact, it is not too unruly to suggest appointing the 55-year-old could have similarly disastrous effects to the decision to welcome Benitez into the club.

Having been sacked around a year ago, the Spaniard's poisonous tenure was one of the worst in the club's history, and only through the likability of his replacement and the spirit of the fans were they able to dig themselves out of the hole he put them in.

However, in his final - and only - half a season at Goodison Park, he still boasted better numbers than Hasenhuttl had this season.

Before his dismissal, the Austrian was averaging just 0.86 points per game in the Premier League at a 26.67% win rate.

Meanwhile, in the run-up to his January sacking, Benitez still improved upon this with 1.18 points per game and a 31.82% win rate.

The former Liverpool manager has even enjoyed a far more expansive career too, bringing experience that would likely be lost on the passionate coach.

Their career win rates paint this picture succinctly, with the former's 49.34% completely dwarfing the 38.21 of the latter.

Of his own admission Hasenhuttl's side were "not good enough" as pressure mounted on his job, which eventually resulted in Nathan Jones standing in to occupy his role.

Should he take the hot seat on Merseyside, he would find another crop of players devoid of talent and confidence. His statement hardly inspires the latter, and his appointment would likely result in condemning Everton to relegation in the same way he likely would have with the Saints.

It would be like having Benitez all over again, or perhaps even worse.