Rafa Benitez 's keeness to stress his role in Anthony Gordon 's success is a clear message to Premier League teams as he targets a return to top flight management.
The former Reds boss has been out of a job since being sacked by Celta Vigo in March and most recently managed in the Premier League in 2022 when he lasted just six-and-a-half months at Everton , having controversially taken on the manager's role in June 2021.
Due to his Liverpool connections, the Spaniard was a subject to threats from a group of Everton supporters and endured an uphill battle in winning over the majority of fans before he was ultimately given the boot less than 12 months into his three-year deal.
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But during his time at Goodison Park, Benitez oversaw the integration of Anthony Gordon into the first-team and has told Premier League sides to use this as inspiration to hire him this season as he longs for a return to top flight management.
Despite his recent management struggles, Benitez believes he still has what it takes to operate in the Premier League. Speaking to The Overlap , he said: “I'm thinking about the Premier League. I know it’s not easy, but I’ve had offers. I’ve had five or six offers from teams at the bottom of the table.
“I am realistic. I have the passion, knowledge and experience to make a difference. I like to be on the (training) pitch improving players. Anthony Gordon is one of them, for example. Manchester United will not come for me. Chelsea will not come for me. The teams at the middle or bottom will start firing managers - I have to make a decision."
Benitez has won 13 trophies during his managerial career and earned four of them whilst in charge of Liverpool. Between 2004-2010, the 64-year-old picked up the Champions League , UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield with the Reds.
The Spaniard also has Premier League experience with Chelsea and Newcastle , who he won the Europa League and Championship with, respectively, before returning to England three years ago with Everton.
And while he has also enjoyed success in both Spain and Italy, it is the Premier League where the former Inter Milan, Napoli and Real Madrid manager wishes to return to next, although he is hardly short on options from elsewhere around the world.
“I want to coach in the Premier League. My first aim is the Premier League," Benitez said. "But, if not, this year I have two offers from Greece, one from Turkey, one from Hungary, two from Mexico, from Qatar, two from Saudi Arabia and a couple of national teams.”
Wherever he ends up next, Benitez will hope to unearth and bring through the next Gordon, who he takes credit for, for turning into the player he is today. Liverpool fans certainly know all about that, with the Reds believed to be more than keen on adding him to their ranks this season.
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