Rafa Benitez confirms he WILL return to Premier League to be with his family after Dalian Yifang stint
RAFA BENITEZ has confirmed he WILL return to the Premier League in the near future.
The Spaniard left Newcastle at the end of last season for a move to Chinese side Dalian Yifang.
But Benitez, 59, has since been linked with Arsenal and Everton.
That’s despite snubbing an immediate return to England live on Sky Sports.
And Benitez’s reluctance to leave China so soon has seen Arsenal move for Mikel Arteta.
Meanwhile, Everton are instead closing in on a deal for Carlo Ancelotti.
But Benitez, who has also managed Liverpool and Chelsea, admits he will be back in the Premier League at some stage because his family are settled in England.
He told The Athletic podcast: “I’ve had offers from the Premier League but you have to do the right things in your head.
“Then when I left, I decided I wanted to keep working, I didn’t want to wait.
“That’s it, it was a big project, a great option and I was happy with that.
“If these teams that fired their managers, if they wanted to come in the past, they could come.
“And if they wanted to come they had to be really convinced.
“It’s not a question that someone is telling you: ‘Oh, maybe it’s an option.’ No.
“I am happy where I am at the moment, we are doing well, hopefully we can continue.
“And if something happens – because football changes – it will be in the future.
“We will consider everything but at the moment it’s fine and I’m happy with that.
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“Yeah [I’ll come back] in the future for sure because my family’s here.
“The Premier League is very exciting. Competitive, stadiums are full, the fans are very passionate.
“A lot of positives and the game is really intense so it’s something I like.”