Everton boss Rafa Benitez admits the job has been more difficult than expected.
Everton have lost seven of their last nine fixtures and few will give them any hope of ending that miserable run at Chelsea tonight, particularly as Benitez has several key players — notably strikers Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin — missing.
Asked if the job was going as well as he'd expected, he said: "No, it's more difficult. I knew about the situation but we have had big injuries. We know that in football you have to win but also you have to analyse the context and circumstances of every situation.
"After some managers and changing the structure of the club they (the board) realise they have to support the manager if they think he is right.
"My conversation with them is to try to do things in a football way that will be successful for the present but especially for the future.
"Now it is a question to stay calm, keep working hard and stick together. They know we will be better but everyone wants to win the next game."
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