When news broke out that Rafa Benitez had quit his job at Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional, clearly a large portion of the football media decided to weigh up a potential move to Celtic for the highly decorated Spanish manager.
To be honest, if the Hoops did manage to pull the deal off, it would be much bigger than their coup for Brendan Rodgers. Benitez has won both the Champions League and the Europa League, and has managed the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea in the past.
Of course, the club could not match the salary that he was getting paid in China. But there was a hope that their history and the chance to manage in the Champions League once again, could entice Benitez.
According to the very reliable Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, a move to Parkhead is not an option, at least at this point of time.
Rafa Benitez to Celtic? There was interest in him but not an option today
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 24, 2021
He's going to rest for a bit, despite offers (from Germany, also a national side...)
By the way, about Celtic: there is a false document doing the rounds (check the phone number 😂) https://t.co/X40LCU1riq
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Could Rafa Benitez end up at Celtic in the future?
This is contrary to earlier reports today in the media, which had claimed that Benitez was very much in the running for the Celtic job and also wanted a swift return to management. Balague is a very respected journalist in Spanish and it does look like that is not the case though.
According to him, a move to Parkhead is not an option ‘today’ but could it happen in the future when Benitez is ready to return to management? Or does this mean that it is completely off the table? Who knows! One thing that we do know for sure is that the Hoops will have to show a lot of ambition to get someone like him through the door.
At least, it is good to see names like Benitez and Eddie Howe being linked with the club. Hiring either of them would be a massive step in the right direction when it comes to taking the club back to the top of the Scottish Premiership.