Rafa Benitez could be back in management soon - north of the border with Rangers. The Scottish giants are looking for a new manager after sacking Philippe Clement last week.
The San Francisco 49ers backed consortium who are looking to buy the Glasgow outfit are considering Benitez as Rangers' next permanent manager, it is understood. The Daily Record reports that American businessman Andrew Cavenagh is leading a consortium bidding to buy a controlling stake in the Light Blues along with Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe, the main man behind NFL giants San Francisco 49ers’ investment wing.
Now, sources close to the club have claimed that Benitez is being discussed as the preferred option to take the Ibrox hotseat. Rangers legend Barry Ferguson is currently in caretaker charge.
Benitez's managerial career has been something of a disappointment since he left Newcastle United. The Spaniard has been out of work for more than a year and recently turned down the chance to get back into coaching.
Benitez left Newcastle in the summer of 2019. having led the Magpies for three years. Having been unable to keep Newcastle in the Premier League after joining with 12 games left of the 2015/16 season, Benitez went on to become one of the most popular bosses at St James' Park over the next three seasons, leading United back to the top flight and then establishing them as a solid, Premier League outfit under the tight reign of Mike Ashley.
After leaving Tyneside, and criticising Ashley's running of the club, Benitez had an 18-month spell in China with Dalian before an ill-fated reign as Everton boss. He was never fully accepted by Toffees fans after his successful tenure as the head coach of their city rivals Liverpool, and after just over six months in charge he was dismissed with Everton six points above the relegation zone.
Now 64, he has been out of football management since leaving Celta Vigo last year, a role which saw him sacked after achieving just five wins from 28 games. The vastly experienced coach, however, has revealed he has no intentions of retiring and is already preparing for his next job, having almost joined Brazilian side Botafogo last month.
"Yes, it was very close. I had a very good conversation with the owner and also the director of football," revealed Benitez. "They impressed me because they were very ambitious. But it was too far away.
"Then you have to analyse all the details, and my family is here. I was very happy with the approach because I liked the way that they approached. Very professional. And the ideas were very good.
"I have had a lot of offers during the year. But I was always waiting for the Premier League because it's the league that I like. You have to choose the right opportunity and hopefully it will come soon."
Benitez was spotted in the stand at the Etihad Stadium last month for Manchester City's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, another of his former clubs. Benitez was sat next to new England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Benitez's name still gets linked with jobs in the UK and abroad. As well as appearing on the bookies shortlist to be next Rangers manager he is 12/1 with one bookmaker to be next Tottenham Hotspur manager.
His career highlight remains at Liverpool, winning the Champions League, along with his spell at Valencia where he won La Liga twice, the UEFA Cup and led them to successive Champions League finals.
