The former Liverpool boss is said to be itching to get back into management, where will he end up?
Rafa Benitez told Sky Sports News he is keen to land a ‘top job’ – but how many are out there?
His options are fairly limited, and we have narrowed it down to three.
In England, he has two options. The vacant Chelsea position, or Tottenham Hotspur, if Harry Redknapp takes up the England job.
Arsenal is a no-go, Wenger will be given more time, while Kenny Dalglish’s recent Carling Cup trophy win means there is no pressure on him at Liverpool which would see the position becoming available.
Manchester United? Pigs may fly, Sir Alex Ferguson has said he wants to have a role in appointing his successor and it certainly won’t be a man who he regularly clashed with. Not that Benitez would anger the Anfield faithful by going there.
Roberto Mancini will be given more time at City regardless of this season’s finish, such is the strong progress he has made, so there really only are two options in England.
Over to Serie A, Benitez had a chance at Inter Milan, and blew it.
He won’t be invited back, while AC Milan and Juventus are both flying and will not come calling.
So what about his native Spain?
Pep Guardiola is not leaving Barcelona, unless something dramatic changes, and even if he did, Benitez would be an unlikely appointment. They would be far more likely to promote a former player, such is their current philosophy, with Luis Enrique currently being groomed for the role as Roma manager.
Real Madrid, where old rival Jose Mourinho currently resides, is a far more likely destination.
Mourinho is tipped to leave Madrid at the end of the season, and could rival Benitez for the Chelsea job. Mourinho would be a far more popular appointment among fans.
Real Madrid would be a ‘top job’ Benitez craves, and he is still revered in Spain after his success with Valencia, that he would be an obvious candidate.
If he wanted a job in Russia, he would have agreed one by now, while German giants Bayern Munich seem settled for now under Jupp Heynckes, and Benitez has given no impression he wants to manage in Germany.
So it really does seem only to be these three which Benitez has to choose from. Which one will he choose?
He surely knows there are a limited number of options for him, and will probably go for whichever one he is offered first.
He is already making a play for the Chelsea job, with his comments yesterday, the questions are whether the fans would welcome him, and whether he can succeed?
Where do you think will Benitez manage next?
image: © k1ngk0ng
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