Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague believes that Rafael Benitez is too big of a name for the Liverpool board to take on as manager.
Guillem Balague has explained in his weekly Sky Sports column why there is little hope of Rafael Benitez being hired by the Liverpool board as manager this summer.
The journalist, who went to university in Liverpool, believes that Benitez will likely be available for a new managerial role in the summer, but he doesn’t think that Anfield is a likely destination for him.
In fact, the Spaniard believes that only Manchester City and Newcastle United represent the only realistic options in England.
‘’I don’t think Rafa is going to renew his contract with Napoli,’’ said Balague. ‘’I do think he’s waiting for a chance in England.
‘’There won’t be many available, with Man City and Newcastle the only likely clubs. I believe both of those teams would be interested in him.
‘’In the case of Liverpool, I still think the board feels he’s too big for them – not for the club but for the directors.’’
Should Liverpool look to replace Brendan Rodgers with Benitez?
The notion that the Liverpool board believes that Benitez is too big for the directors, despite citing Newcastle as a likely destination, seems a little peculiar.
Although Rodgers has done himself no favours by crashing out of the FA Cup to Aston Villa, the majority of the supporters are still behind the manager and remain confident that he can build a side that will one day win a Premier League title.
The answer to whether the decision-makers at the Merseyside club should look to swap out Rodgers for Benitez seems to be a straight forward no. At least, it should be to those who have heard the saying ‘you should never go back’.
Benitez will always be held in high regard in Liverpool, that is without question, but to go back and manage the side under the current circumstances could do his reputation more harm than good.
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