Former Newcastle United boss eyes EPL return

For good or for bad, the Toon Army never forgets those who took the reins of Newcastle United on the touchline. One manager who continues to earn the respect and praises of club supporters is Champions League winner Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard did his best to clean up the mess he inherited from Steve McClaren in 2016, but it was too late to save Newcastle United from relegation. Benitez won the fans over when he announced his decision to stay with the Magpies in the second tier of English football despite being able to use his elite managerial status to land a prestigious job elsewhere.

Benitez added another title to his resume when Newcastle United won the Championship in their first time of asking, and he went on to secure a top ten finish in the Premier League the following season with largely the same squad he managed in the second division.

A lack of investment from then owner Mike Ashley saw Newcastle United fight for survival once again, yet Benitez led a resurgence on Tyneside to secure the club’s Premier League status with a couple of games to spare. Benitez then left for China and had a short spell with Everton last season, but he might be back in the top flight soon.

Newcastle United fans might see one of their favorite managers return to the Premier League.

Rumor has it that Brendan Rodgers could be relieved of his duties if Leicester City fail to make it out of the bottom three in the near future. The Foxes sit rock bottom as the only winless team in the division with a goal differential of -12.

According to the Leicester Mercury, Benitez has expressed his interest in the managerial position should it become available, and the Leicester City front office is aware of this interest. Benitez certainly has the experience to get the best out of a team and promote consistency to gradually climb the table.

The Spaniard would not struggle earning the respect of key players in that group; however, he would come up against the challenge of keeping his best players past January.

Newcastle United have made Leicester City star James Maddison their primary target for the next transfer window after having two bids rejected in the summer.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Rodgers at Leicester City, but former Newcastle United boss would be a great fit for them, especially in the circumstances they find themselves in at the moment.

On the other end though, the Toon Army would hope that his potential hire would not hurt their chances of landing Leicester’s talented attacking midfielder.