Ex-Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez could make a shock return to management

Rafa Benitez is back in the frame to become Rangers’ next manager should the Scottish giants look to sack Russell Martin.

The former Newcastle United boss shut down retirement talk earlier this year after appearing as a TV pundit. Benitez, now 65, has been out of work since he was sacked as Celta Vigo head coach last year.

he was heavily linked with the Rangers job back in February when they sacked manager Phillipe Clement. Reports suggest that the San Francisco 49ers backed consortium who are looking to buy the Glasgow outfit are considering Benitez as the Light Blues’ next permanent manager.

However, Gers legend Barry Ferguson was given the job on a caretaker basis before ex-Southampton boss Martin was appointed on a three-year deal in the summer, bringing in former Newcastle United defender and Gateshead manager Mike Williamson with him.

Martin, however, has endured a nightmare start to his Ibrox reign. Rangers fans are demanding he is shown the door with the club languishing in the lower reaches of the Scottish Premiership, having been sent crashing into the Europa League by a heavy 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off, then suffering another defeat to Sturm Graz in midweek.

They travel to Falkirk on Sunday, just two points better off than their opponents who sit second-bottom of the table, and defeat could see the end of Martin’s short reign.

Should the board show Martin the door, the vastly-experienced Benitez is one of the favourites to replace him. The Spaniard has been working for UEFA but insists he isn’t done with management just yet.

Speaking last month to The Telegraph, the 65-year-old stated he was eyeing another crack at European football – throwing open the door to Rangers. “Sometimes to be described as ‘a legend’ is very nice, but also complicated,” he said.

“For sure, I do, particularly in England and Europe. I do not want people to think I am finished. I am still evolving.”

In March, Morton boss Dougie Imrie revealed that Benitez was aware of the noise around himself and Rangers after meeting the legendary manager on a UEFA coaching course.

Imrie revealed: “To speak to a guy like Rafa, who has managed at so many top clubs, and have a personal chat with him was refreshing.

Asked about conversations regarding Rangers, he added: “He said he had heard the speculation but that is as far as he went.”

And Gregory Vignal, who played under Benitez at Liverpool, revealed that had the new Ibrox owners made an approach, Benitez would have been interested: “I met Rafa in Liverpool and we spoke about the Rangers job before Russell got it.

“He’s not working at a club right now, he’s with UEFA. But if Rangers would have considered him? Of course he would have been interested.”

Benitez left Newcastle in the summer of 2019. having led the Magpies for three years. Having been unable to keep Newcastle in the Premier League after joining with 12 games left of the 2015/16 season, Benitez went on to become one of the most popular bosses at St James’ Park over the next three seasons, leading United back to the top flight and then establishing them as a solid, Premier League outfit under the tight reign of Mike Ashley.

The Spaniard has been out of football management since leaving Celta Vigo last year, a role which saw him sacked after achieving just five wins from 28 games. He almost joined Brazilian side Botafogo at the start of the year but says he is still waiting for the ‘right opportunity’.

“Yes, it was very close. I had a very good conversation with the owner and also the director of football,” revealed Benitez. “They impressed me because they were very ambitious. But it was too far away.

“Then you have to analyse all the details, and my family is here. I was very happy with the approach because I liked the way that they approached. Very professional. And the ideas were very good.

“I have had a lot of offers during the year. But I was always waiting for the Premier League because it’s the league that I like. You have to choose the right opportunity and hopefully it will come soon.”

“I have had a lot of offers during the year. But I was always waiting for the Premier League because it’s the league that I like. You have to choose the right opportunity and hopefully, it will come soon.”