Rafa Benitez has turned down a return to the Premier League after Nottingham Forest ‘sounded out’ the former Newcastle United, Everton and Liverpool manager as a potential replacement for Steve Cooper, according to AS.
Imagine, for a second, that you are an out of work manager looking for a new job. Would you take over at the City Ground?
Yes, this is an ambitious, brilliantly-supported, historic footballing institution. One back in the top flight after over 20 years away. But you’d also find yourself parachuted straight into the midst of a relegation battle. At the helm of a team in transition after a remarkable summer of recruitment. And, in Evangelos Marinakis, you’d be working under a boss who sacks managers for fun at sister club Olympiakos.
Maybe this is a job with just too many potential pitfalls for Rafa Benitez; the 62-year-old burned by his previous spell in the Premier League at a disjointed Everton outfit.
According to Spanish publication AS, Forest sounded out Benitez. But the former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Chelsea coach, who has a Champions League, FA Cup and two La Liga titles on his silver-coated CV, has decided against taking the bait.
Rafa Benitez turns down Nottingham Forest manager’s j
The Athletic say that, in addition to Benitez, former Burnley boss Sean Dyche is another option for Nottingham Forest. Dyche, as a player, rose through the ranks at the City Ground. Nuno Espirito Santo and Bruno Lage, both formerly of Wolverhampton Wanderers, are also in contention.
Benitez, meanwhile, suggested to Kicker this week that Germany could be his next landing spot. The well-travelled Spaniard has never before worked in the Bundesliga.
“I like the Germans, their mentality and professionalism. I like the Bundesliga, its stadiums, its financial control,” Benitez explains. “It’s great how Union Berlin and Freiburg are coming out on top, and I find it interesting.
“Yes, basically, the Bundesliga would be a great challenge.”
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