Everton hero Tony Cottee isn't convinced by Rafa Benitez as Toffees manager.

Cottee, who scored 72 goals in 184 appearances for Everton, thinks it was a huge risk for his former side to take on an ex-Liverpool manager as the fans would be quick to get on the Spaniard's back.

"I always think it's very, very high risk to appoint someone like Benitez at Everton. I wasn't in favour of it," said Cottee when interviewed by bettingexpert.

“I thought it was a poor move. I don't think they should have done that. But they've done it and they're going to have to live with it now."

"And the challenge for Everton, for the manager and for the players is to get out of the situation."

The ex-Blues striker was not excited by the appointment of Benitez in the summer and thought it was a huge risk for his former club to be taking.

“Personally, this is only my own personal feelings, I think it was a massive, massive risk taking on Rafa Benitez, I really do," added Cottee.

“There is so much animosity between Everton and Liverpool. The two big rivals, and I think it was a real risk by the club.

"If Rafa goes and wins games, everything goes well, your players are fit, you're winning cup competitions then you're a genius.

“But if you go in and your star players are injured, there's a lack of confidence, which there obviously is, then the fans are going to get on your back.

“Not only will they get on your back, they'll get on your back even more because Rafa was the manager of Liverpool. And that's a fact."