Former Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has singled out Anthony Gordon’s improvement at Everton as one of the reason’s he’s holding out for a Premier League return. The 64-year-old, ex-Magpies boss, has been out of work since leaving Celta Vigo in March earlier this year but claims to have had five or six offers from top flight clubs in England regarding a return to management. Benitez’s last job in England was with the Toffees in 2021-22 where he worked with Gordon . The young winger established himself as a regular starter under Benitez during his time at Goodison Park, with Rafa citing his ability to improve players like Gordon, as one of the main reasons he wants a return to the Premier League, despite having offers from Saudi Arabia, national sides and across the globe.
Rafa Benitez said “I’m thinking about the Premier League. It’s not easy but I’ve had offers, five or six offers from teams at the bottom of the table. I’m realistic. I have the passion, the knowledge, the experience so I can make the difference. The methodology – I like to be on the pitch coaching players and improving players. Little things. Anthony Gordon is one example. We can improve players and make these things happed, but there are not too many [clubs]. Manchester United will not come for me. Chelsea will not come for me. There are teams that I will not coach because they won’t come for me now. The teams in the middle of bottom the table start firing managers and you have to make a decision. I want to coach in the Premier League, then this team at the bottom of the table has come in and they have a project, or will they panic. The first thing is the Premier League. This year, I’ve had two from Greece, one from Türkiye, one from Hungary, two from Mexico, one from Emirates, one from Qatar, two from Saudi Arabia, and a couple of national teams. Now I’m thinking about Premier League priority. Can I compete to win, or is it just to stay in the league? I don’t like to be a survivor.”
