Former Everton captain Phil Jagielka says Rafa Benitez cannot afford a slow start as Toffees manager.

The Spaniard, who arrived at the club's Finch Farm training base on Wednesday morning, is on the verge to being confirmed as the first former Liverpool manager to take charge of their city rivals.

Jagielka said the best way for Benitez to win over the dissenters was to make a big impact early on.

"He will need to get off to a fast start and make a couple of marquee signings to smooth over, potentially, a little bit of a rocky start," he told Sky Sports News.

"If he gets a good start and the right results they will get behind him because that's the sort of club Everton is.

'The hierarchy at Everton have decided to go with Rafa, it is a controversial decision to say the least.

""If we take away what club he used to manage and that side of history, as a coach and a manager he has performed at the top level.

"They are getting a very competent man in - the only issue is there will be elements within the Evertonian family who won't be happy seeing him in the dugout."