The prospective new owners of Newcastle United are said to be keen on reappointing Rafael Benitez as the club’s manager once their takeover at St James’ Park is completed.
The Saudi-led consortium, the Premier League and Newcastle are currently finalising a takeover of the Magpies that will catapult the club into the financial elite of world football, with hopes an announcement can be made as early as Thursday.
The takeover – fronted by Amanda Staveley and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – will end the controversial 14-year ownership of Mike Ashley at St James’ Park.
According to Sky Sports, current boss Steve Bruce will be replaced following the completion of the takeover, the Newcastle native having been an unpopular figure among the club support ever since he was appointed.
While the Sky Sports report concedes that it ‘remains to be seen’ how swiftly Bruce will be replaced, Football Insider are reporting that former Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is a potential target to be his successor.
Benitez spent three seasons with the club between 2016 and 2019 and his departure was greeted unfavourably by the fanbase, with the Spaniard walking away amid disagreements with Ashley.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss took charge of Everton during the summer and has enjoyed a positive start on Merseyside, losing just one of his opening seven league fixtures with the Toffees currently fifth in the division.
Whether Benitez would leave Everton so soon after his appointment remains to be seen however, but the promise of huge transfer funds could lure the Spaniard back to his previous role.
