Benitez missed the chance to reign with Spain
NEWCASTLE United manager Rafa Benitez was offered the chance to coach Spain at the World Cup in Russia - and to remain as Magpies manager at the same time.
The 58-year-old was approached by the Spanish Football Association on the eve of this summer’s major tournament in Russia after Julen Lopetegui was sacked for accepting the Real Madrid job.
Initially Spain hoped to appoint Benitez on a short-term deal for the World Cup, something which Newcastle are believed to have been broadly receptive to.
With contract talks between Benitez and United at an impasse, the Magpies’ hierarchy were willing to allow their manager to guide Spain in Russia before returning to Tyneside to prepare Newcastle for the 2018/19 Premier League campaign as they believed it could be a positive for all parties.
However, the approach came just days before the start of the tournament in Russia and so the complex nature of any potential deal proved to be far too complicated to negotiate in time.
Instead, Fernando Hierro took over the Spain national team, who were eliminated at the last-16 stage, and then former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was appointed as manager for the Euro 2020 qualification campaign earlier this month.
Asked if there was ever a chance he could have taken charge of Spain at the World Cup during United’s training camp at Carton House in the Republic of Ireland, Benitez - who was approached by three other national teams during the summer, too replied: “There was maybe a chance but still I am here and I am happy to be here.”