It has been revealed by Luis Rubiales, head of the Spanish football federation, that Newcastle offered him Rafael Benitez as a manager for the World Cup.
The announcement of ex-Spain manager Julen Lopetegui as the new Real Madrid prior to the World Cup saw to his sacking on the eve of the tournament, and apparently Magpies’ chiefs thought it appropriate to offer up their man as a last minute stand-in.
The Express report that Rubiales told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE:
When I sacked Julen I immediately called Hierro and told him I didn’t want to make any changes. Two days later a letter arrived from Newcastle saying ‘Are you interested in our coach? He’s at your disposition.’ We said thanks but no,
We would have never done that, we couldn’t hire Benitez because it would have been acting in the same way for which we reproached Julen.
Benitez himself approached the idea of managing his country at the World Cup, but dismissed the fantasy in favour of appreciating his present position at Newcastle:
Benitez said:
There was maybe a chance, but still I am here and I am happy to be here.
