Former Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is close to a return to management after a difficult few years.
The Spaniard arrived on Tyneside in March of 2016 just two months after leaving his position with Real Madrid, remaining loyal to the club until 2019 despite the tumultuous times he suffered under Mike Ashley and the relegation to the Championship we suffered the summer he joined.
Benitez helped us to an immediate return to the Premier League despite his difficult relationship with our former owner, but has been out of work for almost a year.
Benitez set for Brazil?
Rafa is down to the final two candidates being interviewed for the head coach position of Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo, according to The Mail’s Sami Mokbel.
It’s thought the ex-Liverpool, Chelsea, and Magpies boss is nearing a return to football management after leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024 after impressing leading members of the Brazilian side’s hierarchy.
The reigning Brazilian and South American champions are looking to replace former manager Artur Jorge who joined Qatari side Al-Rayyan SC shortly after the turn of the year and view 64-year-old Benitez as a prime candidate.
A rough few years since Newcastle exit
“A businessman who I don’t believe really cares about his team,” was Benitez’ view of former Newcastle owner Ashley when stating his reasons for departure in 2019, though he may regret leaving after seeing Eddie Howe flourish under the PIF-backed consortium.
Shockingly the Champions League winning manager’s most recent piece of silverware is the 16/17 Championship trophy he lifted with us after some poor spells consequent to his departure from the north east.
A spell at Dalian Professional failed to set China alight before his poorly received time with Everton, where he failed to get the fans on board.
Rafa was then sacked by Celta Vigo, after just five wins and 24 points in 28 games left them teetering above the relegation zone. He’s been linked with a number of roles since, but it seems like Brazil could be his next destination.
Love Rafa but like Mourinho the pair of them being top managers now is a busted flush.
Wish him well and how he is a success.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
how = Hope
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Rafa made his reputation taking over teams that were already successful. Give him a successful team full of great players and he could manage them.
Give him a team with average players, doing badly – like his last 4 positions – and he was barely any better than Bruce.
BykerBill(Quote)