Rafa Benitez has hinted that he was approached by Newcastle United to replace Steve Bruce as the club’s manager following the takeover last year. The former Magpies boss was the most popular choice among a large proportion of the Toon Army but his contract with Everton, at the time, put paid to any chance of a sensational return.
He remains a much-loved figure at St James’ Park for the role he played during arguably the club’s lowest moment under Mike Ashley. In an interview with Alan Shearer in The Athletic, the pair alluded to the fact he was in the running for the manager’s job after Bruce’s departure.
After Shearer claimed that ‘a speculative call went out to Rafa or people close to him’, Benitez responded by saying: “The directors of Everton were worried about what the press were saying, but I told them, ‘Listen, if I give my word, I will try to do my best until the end.’
Read more: Former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez hints at possible next destination after Everton sacking
“I did what I had to do. I did the same when I was at Newcastle and another club approached me but I said, ‘No, I will stay’. At the end of my time at Newcastle, I was waiting and waiting, but they didn’t sell the club. OK, fine. I had to leave. Later on, I was waiting again and they didn’t get permission [for the takeover to happen] and then Everton came in and I went there.”
Had this season not played out how it has under the stewardship of Eddie Howe, those comments would come as a bitter blow for United supporters. But now, deep down, they won’t be too worried that Benitez was unable to return given the success enjoyed since Bruce left.
Although, had the Spaniard been given the same situation and resources as Howe, he too could have aided a similar transformation at St James’ Park. While it is increasingly hard to envisage Benitez returning to the club in a managerial capacity considering the direction that United are moving in, he will always receive a hero’s welcome if, and when, he returns to Tyneside.
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