Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has disclosed that he will be keen to coach a national team.
Following a disastrous World Cup qualification campaign, Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy’s manager, leaving the four-time world champions without a permanent head coach.
Benítez recently became a free agent after a brief seven-month stint at Greek side Panathinaikos. Speaking to Sky Sport at the Champions League final, Benitez appeared to throw his hat in the ring for the job.
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“I am learning and improving my Italian. Jokes aside, coaching a national team in the future can be a real option for me,” he said.
“Preparing for a World Cup or a European Championship is a very fascinating challenge.”
When asked outright about the Italy job, he responded: “Me, coach of the Italian national team? I would do it with great pleasure.”
Biggest Achievements
Rafael Benítez’s best achievements include winning the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool, the UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup with Chelsea and Valencia, and two La Liga titles with Valencia. He is highly regarded for his tactical genius in high-stakes knockout football and pulling off miraculous.
Benítez has a strong history in Italian football, having previously managed both Inter Milan and Napoli, where he won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana.
Relegation/Promotion work
Guiding Newcastle United to a 10th-place Premier League finish and an immediate promotion as EFL Championship winners after securing their safety in 2016 is also heavily praised by fans.
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Other Candidates
The FIGC is in a period of transitional limbo ahead of upcoming presidential elections. Benítez is just one of several heavyweight names linked to the vacancy, alongside high-profile managers like Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte.
