Rafa Benitez will always likely hold a special place in the hearts of the Newcastle United fanbase.
Benitez joined Newcastle in 2016 but could not keep them in the Premier League, with the damage having been done under predecessor Steve McClaren and villainous former owner Mike Ashley.
Still, the Spaniard stayed on even after the club had dropped into the Championship and duly restored Newcastle’s top flight status in 2017.
Benitez stayed at St James’ Park until the summer of 2019 and managed to keep the team in the Premier League despite a lack of investment under Ashley, which no doubt paved the way for PIF’s takeover in October 2021.
Quite where Newcastle would be now without Benitez having taken charge during a difficult period for the club is up for debate.
As such, any developments in regards to the 64-year-old’s career are newsworthy on Tyneside and that brings us to the latest on his next step.
Rafa Benitez rejects Brazilian club Botafogo
Benitez had been linked with Brazilian club Botafogo late last month, appearing to be one of the final candidates as he sought a return to management for the first time since leaving Celta Vigo last year.
However, according to The Daily Mail, the Spaniard has rejected the chance to join the Rio-based club.
It is claimed Benitez held talks with them and impressed but after conversations with his family, decided to rule himself out of the running.
Rafa Benitez has a special place in Newcastle history
Benitez was delighted when Newcastle qualified for the Champions League under Eddie Howe, which underlines what a special relationship the Spaniard has with the club.
Other people have managed Newcastle at much easier times but it was Benitez who helped restore at least some signs of life during the tail end of the Ashley era.
Steve Bruce – albeit perhaps begrudgingly for some – deserves credit for keeping the club in the Premier League too but it was Benitez who set most of the foundations.
Had he not have been in place, who knows what might have happened after the 2016 relegation?
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