Benitez signed a three-year contract when he took over from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, a despised appointment with many Everton fans due to his past links to their Merseyside rivals.
Everton’s poor form after a bright start to the season has seen them slip to 15th in the Premier League table, six points above the relegation zone.
A club statement read: “Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as first-team manager.
“Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the club with immediate effect.
“An update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course.”
Speaking after the Norwich defeat, Benitez said:
“We conceded two goals through our own mistakes and that makes it a mountain to climb for us. We have to stay professional, concentrate on the next training session and match.
“I am a professional. I have enough experience and I came here to fix issues that, maybe, are coming from five years ago.
“I have to make sure I analyze these the kinds of mistakes we are making and avoid that for the future. Other things are not in my hands. I have to do my job.”
