Spanish football expert and journalist Guillem Balague has suggested that Rafa Benitez would potentially be interested in returning to Newcastle as manager were the proposed takeover to be completed.
The proposed £300m takeover of the club is still ongoing, with the Magpies now involved in a legal challenge with the Premier League, and the case could see the Premier League reapply the Owners and Directors Test, per Chronicle Live. That would possibly reopen the door for the takeover to be completed at some stage.
Current Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is starting to come under pressure from some supporters over the negative approach to performances, but he retains the full backing of Mike Ashley, per The Telegraph. However, Benitez has recently refused to rule out the potential of a return to St James’ Park in the near future in a post-takeover scenario, per Chronicle Live.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Balague outlined that he believes Benitez – currently managing Dalian Professional in China – feels he has work left to complete at Newcastle which funds provided by a potential takeover could enable him to achieve. He duly suggested the 60-year-old would be open to the prospect of returning to St James’ Park, saying.
I’d say he would like to come to the Premier League without a doubt. He’s doing a good job in China, no doubt about that – but in terms of the infrastructure and the global picture he cannot compete, as he cannot get the best Chinese players.
There are two or three other clubs which do that but meanwhile he is helping to improve the facilities, the system of developing players and making the best out of what he has.
He would love to come to the Premier League, and my answer would be ‘yes’ if the takeover takes place – and if it’s the same people taking over the club and still want him he would say yes to the possibility of going back to Newcastle because there is still a little bit of unfinished business there.
Read Newcastle verdict
This would be very exciting for the Magpies were Benitez to return to St James’ Park with the Magpies under new, more ambitious owners. The Spaniard became a cult hero among most supporters during his time in charge, giving the impression he understood what it meant to them and had the ambition to improve things on and off the field.
However, the Spaniard left the club at the end of the 2018/19 season with the feeling that the backing he needed to improve the squad was not going to arrive from Mike Ashley. Bruce has since taken charge and, whilst he has kept his side mid-table, he has not seemed to maximise the money he has been given in the market to improve upon the style of play.
There may be some who feel Benitez is in the past and that the Magpies should look elsewhere for a new manager in a post-takeover world. However, the Spaniard has that connection with the club and the proven ability to achieve success with the right resources. Therefore, he would be very much a suitable choice.
