Newcastle United favourite eyes sensational football return - he’s not done yet
Rafa Benitez has managed Dalian Professional, Everton and Celta Vigo since leaving Newcastle United in 2019.
Rafa Benitez is reportedly close to becoming Botafogo’s new manager ahead of the new season.
Brazilian clubs are currently in their summer break, with the 2025 campaign not set to kick off until March 29. Benitez has been unemployed since losing his job at Celta Vigo last March.
The Spaniard’s last few jobs - most famously Everton - since leaving Newcastle United have not worked out. Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional lured Benitez from St James’ Park in 2019 following years of unfulfilled Mike Ashley promises.
He remains a popular figure at St James’ Park given his work in securing an instant Premier League promotion eight years ago. The 64-year-old is now the front-runner to take charge at Botafogo, the reigning Brazilian league champions.
Speaking last year, Benitez admitted he still wants to manage at the top level. He said: “I want to keep coaching. But I have seen, I made a mistake because I went to another level. The owners, you can’t increase the level if they don’t increase the time.
“The owners talk, talk, talk but they don’t give you time because social media is going so fast. I want to compete. When a team isn’t winning for years, they either don’t have the money, the players or the staff.
“Sometimes, you trust the people, they are nice people but not capable of going to the next level. To go to the next level, you need the best physios, the best doctors, the best in the kitchen. If you don’t have that, you lose something compared to the others.”