{"id":552240,"date":"2020-05-25T07:19:46","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T11:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=552240"},"modified":"2020-05-25T07:19:46","modified_gmt":"2020-05-25T11:19:46","slug":"rafa-benitez-keen-on-newcastle-united-return-if-takeover-goes-through","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/05\/25\/rafa-benitez-keen-on-newcastle-united-return-if-takeover-goes-through\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafa Benitez Keen on Newcastle United Return if Takeover Goes Through"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rafa Benitez is hoping for a return<\/a> to Newcastle United<\/a> as manager.<\/p>\n

Benitez left Newcastle last summer for Chinese side Dalian Yifang, but it is reported<\/a> that he is keen on a second stint at the club.<\/p>\n

Rafa Benitez Keen on Newcastle United Return<\/h2>\n

Newcastle Takeover<\/h3>\n

The club is rumoured to be taken over by the PCP group.<\/a> They are awaiting approval from the Premier League, following the league’s owners and director’s test.<\/p>\n

If the deal goes through, it is expected to be worth around \u00a3300 million.<\/p>\n

Current boss Steve Bruce has been given backing until the end of the season. However, it is rumoured<\/a> he will not be in the managerial hot seat come the start of next season. Mauricio Pochettino<\/a> and Zinedine Zidane<\/a> are also among those to be potential candidates for the Newcastle job.<\/p>\n

It would be a hefty compensation fee that Newcastle would have to pay, if they want Benitez.<\/p>\n

Already Making Plans<\/h3>\n

If the former Liverpool<\/a> boss is re-appointed as manager, he is reported<\/a> to want John Stones and Ross Barkley as two signings.<\/p>\n

It’s believed Stones could<\/a> leave Manchester City<\/a> this summer in order to get more playing time before next summer’s European Championship.<\/p>\n

Barkley, on the other hand, had impressed under Chelsea<\/a> manager Frank Lampard this season. But with the number of options in the Blues’ midfield, Barkley could leave<\/a> the club.<\/p>\n

Barkley was a target for Benitez back in 2018<\/a>. However, Newcastle could not match Chelsea’s offer for the then Everton<\/a> midfielder.<\/p>\n

Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle Career<\/h3>\n

Benitez took over from Steve McClaren in March 2016, with the task to steer the club for relegation.<\/p>\n

Though Newcastle were relegated to the Championship, Benitez opted to stay at the club, guiding them to promotion at the first attempt.<\/p>\n

In the club’s first full season back in the Premier League, he led them to a tenth place finish. Then, last season, he secured the club a third consecutive season in the top flight, after no wins in their first ten games.<\/p>\n

However, disagreements with current owner Mike Ashley meant Benitez left the club<\/a> last summer.<\/p>\n

Benitez left the Newcastle as a fans’ favourite, with many of the Toon Army disappointed that he left the club.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>