It’s a great story and rumour as Benitez leaves a very well paid role in China just when Celtic need a new manager. But surely that’s all it is, a wild rumour with no chance of it happening. Or is there a tiny glimmer of hope in there for Hoops fans?
Benitez has cropped up in Celtic rumours for a while now as a potential manager. His own unsettled position in his time at Newcastle United fed those rumours and now that he has quit Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional and is apparently keen to get back into a management quickly, the rumour mill turns again. But just like before it’s feels like random speculation and no hope or chance of it becoming a reality. Unless there’s a twist in the tale.
Let’s face it, someone who has managed top clubs like Liverpool in the English Premier League will hardly want to head for Scotland and it’s smaller pool. But then we did see Brendan Rodgers join. We did see Martin O’Neill in the past make a move from a trophy winning club down there. So maybe we shouldn’t rule that out.
In striking a deal to manage in China, Benitez will likely have secured a huge contract. Around £12 million is quoted across today’s news. He’ll still probably be looking for high wages which will be out of Celtic’s league. Quite likely, but in choosing to leave China he is probably recognising that money isn’t everything.
It will be difficult but Celtic do have a chance
Would his contract have been enormous at a Mike Ashley controlled Newcastle United? And again, the Rodgers appointment offers a hope that the board may be able to make some exceptions.
Similarly he’ll look for a club with a decent transfer budget. Celtic’s will be very low by comparison to Premier League clubs. Again very true, although Newcastle United were never huge spenders and he will have had to work with a tight budget there. It would be a challenge, but maybe the other factors of managing a high profile, successful and legendary club could overcome that on his wish list.
He’ll might probably be looking for a role back in the English Premier League but the challenge of Europe, the likelihood of success and the ability to build a winning team better than the competition around you will all play a part in his decision making.
Is he really likely to opt for the typical struggles he saw at The Magpies again? Or to be battling it out against relegation in the lower part of the league table? It feels unlikely if other alternatives exist.
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But would he really consider Celtic? He’s not seemed to show much interest of joining in the past. Back in 2019, he had told journalist Peter A Smith, as mentioned on his Twitter:
"He’s still in the dark about his future at Newcastle & any takeover bid. Also told me he consulted his friend Frank McParland (ex-Rangers scout) about the prospect of the Celtic job. He decided against for now, but would consider it in future."
The Daily Mirror‘s football team seem to think there is no smoke without fire, or know something different as they have claimed that Benitez is in the frame to become the next manager at Parkhead. But then the media don’t always get these things right either.
Most of the points above, regarding why we won’t see Benitez holding a Celtic scarf over his head and proclaiming his love of the club since childhood are very relevant and overwhelming. The points regarding why it may just happen are weak and not necessarily conclusive. But they do offer just the smallest glimmer of hope to fuel rumours for a while yet. It’s extremely unlikely but never say never.