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Rafa Benitez targeting English club manager’s job in surprise admission
Rafa Benitez is eyeing a sensational return to English football in the future. The 65-year-old has previously taken charge of four different Premier League clubs. GettyBenitez has opened the door to a return to management in the Premier League[/caption] However, he has been away from management for 18 months since leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024. Despite his time away from the dugout, Benitez has no plans to retire from coaching. Instead, he believes he still has plenty to offer to football as a manager. Speaking to the The Telegraph, the Spaniard addressed his current career status, explaining: “Sometimes to be described as ‘a legend’ is very nice, but also complicated. “It is bad for a coach to be seen as retired. People still ask me, ‘Do you want to coach?’ For sure, I do, particularly in England and Europe. “I do not want people to think I am finished. I am still evolving.” Benitez is best-known to fans in England for his six years as Liverpool boss between 2004 and 2010. During that time, he guided the club to their fifth Champions League after a miraculous comeback against AC Milan at the end of his first season. The Reds went on to reach a second final under Benitez two years later, facing AC Milan again but this time losing 2-1, as well as winning the FA Cup in 2006. However, he was unable to secure a Premier League title despite coming close during the 2008/09 campaign. The Spaniard’s most successful spell in England came during six years at LiverpoolAFP - Getty Liverpool ended the season with just two league defeats but could only finish four points behind Manchester United in second. Benitez added that he was approached by two clubs during his Anfield tenure, but turned down the chance to leave the Reds on both occasions. He revealed: “I could have left. Manchester City and Real Madrid came for me, but I gave my word to sign a new deal with Liverpool and kept to that.” After a brief spell as Inter Milan manager, Benitez returned to England in 2012 to take over at Chelsea on an interim basis. His controversial arrival followed the sacking of Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo. Although he went on to guide the club to Europa League glory, Benitez was unable to win over the Blues supporters during his reign. GettyBenitez has backed Arne Slot’s Reds to win Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton[/caption] A third spell in the Premier League would follow in 2016 as he took over at Newcastle just two months after being sacked by Real Madrid. After failing to save the Magpies from relegation, Benitez secured an immediate return the following season by clinching the Championship title. He remained in charge at St. James’ Park until 2019 before taking another controversial post two years later. Benitez was appointed by Everton ahead of the 2021/22 season despite his strong links to bitter rivals Liverpool. His reign would end halfway through the campaign after just five wins in 19 Premier League matches. The Toffees confirmed his dismissal in January 2022 following a run of one win in 16 league fixtures. Rafa Benitez's managerial career 1995-96 – Real Valladolid 1996 – Osasuna 1997-99 – Extremadura 2000-01 – Tenerife 2001-04 – Valencia 2004-10 – Liverpool 2010 – Inter Milan 2012-13 – Chelsea 2013-15 – Napoli 2015-16 – Real Madrid 2016-19 – Newcastle 2019-21 – Dalian Pro 2021-22 – Everton 2023-24 – Celta Vigo Honours: Champions League, 2x LaLiga, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Cup, Europa League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, Coppa Italia, 2x Italian Super Cup, Community Shield, Championship Benitez on the Merseyside derby As a result, it comes as no surprise Benitez is hoping for a home win in Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield. He admitted: “I was six years at Liverpool and three months at Everton. I have good friends who love both sides… but obviously I want Liverpool to win. “In Madrid they ask me, ‘What is your team?’ I came through the academy at Real Madrid and managed them. “But if anyone asks me where I felt and feel the most love, it is always Liverpool.” Benitez won eight of his 14 Merseyside derbies as Liverpool boss but suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat at Goodison Park with Everton in 2021. The 247th meeting between the two rivals takes place at 12.30pm on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.
Rafa Benitez is eyeing a sensational return to English football in the future.
The 65-year-old has previously taken charge of four different Premier League clubs.
However, he has been away from management for 18 months since leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024.
Despite his time away from the dugout, Benitez has no plans to retire from coaching.
Instead, he believes he still has plenty to offer to football as a manager.
Speaking to the The Telegraph, the Spaniard addressed his current career status, explaining: “Sometimes to be described as ‘a legend’ is very nice, but also complicated.
“It is bad for a coach to be seen as retired. People still ask me, ‘Do you want to coach?’ For sure, I do, particularly in England and Europe.
“I do not want people to think I am finished. I am still evolving.”
Benitez is best-known to fans in England for his six years as Liverpool boss between 2004 and 2010.
During that time, he guided the club to their fifth Champions League after a miraculous comeback against AC Milan at the end of his first season.
The Reds went on to reach a second final under Benitez two years later, facing AC Milan again but this time losing 2-1, as well as winning the FA Cup in 2006.
However, he was unable to secure a Premier League title despite coming close during the 2008/09 campaign.
Liverpool ended the season with just two league defeats but could only finish four points behind Manchester United in second.
Benitez added that he was approached by two clubs during his Anfield tenure, but turned down the chance to leave the Reds on both occasions.
He revealed: “I could have left. Manchester City and Real Madrid came for me, but I gave my word to sign a new deal with Liverpool and kept to that.”
After a brief spell as Inter Milan manager, Benitez returned to England in 2012 to take over at Chelsea on an interim basis.
His controversial arrival followed the sacking of Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo.
Although he went on to guide the club to Europa League glory, Benitez was unable to win over the Blues supporters during his reign.
A third spell in the Premier League would follow in 2016 as he took over at Newcastle just two months after being sacked by Real Madrid.
After failing to save the Magpies from relegation, Benitez secured an immediate return the following season by clinching the Championship title.
He remained in charge at St. James’ Park until 2019 before taking another controversial post two years later.
Benitez was appointed by Everton ahead of the 2021/22 season despite his strong links to bitter rivals Liverpool.
His reign would end halfway through the campaign after just five wins in 19 Premier League matches.
The Toffees confirmed his dismissal in January 2022 following a run of one win in 16 league fixtures.
Rafa Benitez's managerial career
1995-96 – Real Valladolid
1996 – Osasuna
1997-99 – Extremadura
2000-01 – Tenerife
2001-04 – Valencia
2004-10 – Liverpool
2010 – Inter Milan
2012-13 – Chelsea
2013-15 – Napoli
2015-16 – Real Madrid
2016-19 – Newcastle
2019-21 – Dalian Pro
2021-22 – Everton
2023-24 – Celta Vigo
Honours: Champions League, 2x LaLiga, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Cup, Europa League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, Coppa Italia, 2x Italian Super Cup, Community Shield, Championship
Benitez on the Merseyside derby
As a result, it comes as no surprise Benitez is hoping for a home win in Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.
He admitted: “I was six years at Liverpool and three months at Everton. I have good friends who love both sides… but obviously I want Liverpool to win.
“In Madrid they ask me, ‘What is your team?’ I came through the academy at Real Madrid and managed them.
“But if anyone asks me where I felt and feel the most love, it is always Liverpool.”
Benitez won eight of his 14 Merseyside derbies as Liverpool boss but suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat at Goodison Park with Everton in 2021.
The 247th meeting between the two rivals takes place at 12.30pm on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.
