Rafa Benitez wants to return to the Premier League.
The Champions League-winning manager was last employed in England's top flight with Everton, where he was sacked halfway through the 2021-22 season. The Toffees were the fourth Premier League side Benitez has managed during his 30-year career on the sidelines throughout Europe, and now the 64-year-old Spaniard has desires on returning to the English circuit.
Benitez was most recently in charge at Celta Vigo in his home country, but he lasted less than a full season after leading the team to just five wins from 28 La Liga matches. The lack of success has not deterred Benitez from looking to extend his managerial career, and according to him it has not scared away potential suitors.
However, the offers are not as glamorous as he may have wanted.
“I’m thinking about taking a job in the Premier League," Benitez said while speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. "That is not easy because I had offers – trust me, I had five or six offers from teams at the bottom of the table.
“I am realistic. I have the passion, I have the knowledge, I have the experience so I can make a difference. And the methodology, I like to be on the pitch coaching players and improving players, little things. Anthony Gordon is one of the examples, so we can improve players and make things happen.
“But, there are not too many [job offers at the top of the table]. Manchester United will not come for me, Chelsea will not come for me. So, there are teams that I will not coach because they will not come for me. Then, the teams at the middle of the table, bottom of the table, they start firing managers and then you have to make a decision. I want to coach in the Premier League, and then this team at the bottom of the table is coming with a project.”
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