Everton's situation is an important lesson for Newcastle United's ambitious plans

When Rafa Benitez was appointed Everton manager he spoke of the club ‘going places’ while the club’s majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, spoke of the need to be ‘winning trophies’ under the Spaniard. Less than 7 months later, Benitez was sacked, and Everton are in the depths of a relegation battle.

Newcastle United travel to Goodison Park this week with the game described by some as the ‘biggest’ in Everton’s recent history - it seems to many that years of mismanagement of the Merseyside club may now cost the club its Premier League status.

It’s ironic in many ways because few Newcastle fans would have turned down the ambition and desire of the Everton board to break into the top six - or the appointments of Ronald Koeman or Carlo Ancelotti, especially after 14 years of Mike Ashley. The spending Everton fans have been treated to over the last few years was at the time looked upon by fans enviously - watching a club with what seemed a plan to gatecrash the party at the top of the league.

United meanwhile wallowed and limped on under Ashley’s ownership while Everton spent big on the likes of Richarlison or Yerry Mina. Yet here we are with Newcastle looking all but safe from the drop and Everton very much in danger of becoming the shock exit from the top flight.

And looking back on Everton’s approach, there are two key things Newcastle and their still relatively new and inexperienced board can learn from. Firstly, in terms of the plan - a constant stream of managers is never going to be the answer to developing a side.

Since David Moyes left Everton in May 2013, seven permanent managers have been appointed. Other than Roberto Martinez, none of the other six remained in the dugout for two years or more.

In that same