Only ‘serious project’ will tempt Benitez
FORMER Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has listed his demands for a return for management with a pointed reference to what he felt he did not get at St James’ Park.
Benitez revealed he had already received “more than one” job offer in the last month.
He was linked with a return to Newcastle but that turned out to be incorrect.
The 60-year-old Spaniard has subsequently made it clear there will be no reunion with the club while Mike Ashley continues to own the Magpies.
Asked about his future, the reasons for that are pretty clear as Benitez sets out his desire to either challenge for titles or, pointedly, have “a serious project” which will lead to a title challenge.
That is what he felt was missing at Newcastle, where he said at the start of his final season he wanted to challenge although “you can bring in another manager and then maybe he will be happy if they do well and they finish 15th.”
The former Liverpool, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager said: “I have already received more than one offer in the last few months but they were not the right time or project. I needed to spend time with my family.
“I want to find a club with ambition, one either competing for titles or looking for a serious project which will lead to that later.
“I always say the key to success is balance - both on the pitch between defence and attack but also in the management of the club.”
Benitez said he had “enjoyed” his time at Newcastle as he looked to another job in England.
He added: “My experiences with Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been very enjoyable and for that reason my priority is the Premier League.
“My family are in England and it is the most complete league but I cannot rule out leaving.
“As I said, if there is a welldefined project with objectives.”