In recent days Liverpool legend Pepe Reina has admitted that former boss Rafa Benitez will make a return to the Premier League next season.
When a young coach Rafa Benitez took Valencia to consecutive Spanish titles and a UEFA cup the world stood still and the Reds of Merseyside were quick to acquire his services.
With one FA cup , a community shield as well as the UEFA super cup and most memorably that night in Istanbul, Rafa is regarded as one of Liverpool’s greatest managers. Short passing and a determinant attitude to exploit opposition weakness’ are the brand of play Rafa’s teams show most often.
His style of play left The Reds fighting for the title in the majority of the six years he spent there as well as leaving a lasting legacy which leaves him forever in the hearts of scouse fans everywhere.
His tactical acumen left teams across the world in admiration of the spaniard, and a brief spell in Italy before his Europa League winning season with Chelsea ,brought him to Napoli.
Signing star names like Gonzalo Higuan and Dries Mertens ,Rafa has got the best out of his side achieving 3rd in Serie A aswell as a Coppa Italia to bring home to Naples the club have decided they want a new man to take charge at the helm therefore will not be renewing Rafa’s contract and with Pepe Reina in recent days saying a return to the Prem is what the 54 year old wants, speculation begins as to where he will end up.
West ham and Newcastle are the two main clubs being widely talked about as possible destinations for Benitez. Both clubs will be looking for managers at the end of the season with West ham refusing to renew “Big Sam’s” contract and Newcastle still searching for Alan Pardew’s successor it is speculated it will be a dog fight for his signature.
West ham have been said to be eyeing both David Moyes and Besiktas’ Stephan Bilic however both have big contracts and the Hammers wont be keen to pay big to get a manager when it could be spent on transfers to better the team on a whole. Similarly Newcastle wont want to pay big on compensation deals but are huge admirers of Benitez and it has been tipped that Rafa would relish a move to the Toon.
With a number of short stints at clubs in his career Benitez is reportedly hoping to make a lasting impression on his next club and creating a legacy the likes of Arsene Wenger has for Arsenal and Sir Alex did for United. It is unquestionable that whoever Benitez manages next is receiving a top class coach.