{"id":572777,"date":"2020-11-20T13:47:13","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T18:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=572777"},"modified":"2020-11-20T13:47:13","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T18:47:13","slug":"rafael-benitez-says-no-to-derby-county-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/20\/rafael-benitez-says-no-to-derby-county-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Benitez Says ‘No’ to Derby County Role"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Newcastle United<\/a> and Liverpool<\/a> manager Rafael Benitez has ruled himself out of taking the managerial role at Derby County.<\/p>\n

Speaking on BBC 5 Live Sport’s Euro Leagues Show, 60-year-old admitted he has the desire to come back to the Premier League and didn’t rule out a return to Newcastle.<\/p>\n

Rafael Benitez Rules Out Derby County Role<\/h2>\n

“At the Moment, No”<\/h3>\n

Following the sacking of manager Philip Cocu<\/a>, Derby County are on the hunt for a new manager. Former Manchester United<\/a> and England striker Wayne Rooney<\/a> has taken over on an interim basis along with Liam Rosenior, but the Derby hierarchy are looking to bring a new face to the role.<\/p>\n

Benitez has been linked with the job, but speaking on Thursday when asked if he would take the role, the former Liverpool boss dismissed the claims.<\/p>\n

“Not really. It is a big club and I have a lot of respect for them,” he said<\/a>. “I am having some time here and then preparing for next season. You never know, football and life is changing, but at the moment, no.”<\/p>\n

Premier League Ambitions<\/h3>\n

The former Newcastle manager hasn’t ruled out a return to St. James’ Park despite the role being unavailable. The 60-year-old admitted he has ambitions to return to the top flight and a move back to the northeast would suit the Spaniard.<\/p>\n

He added<\/a>: “When I left Newcastle, I was waiting until the last minute for the takeover but obviously it didn’t happen.<\/p>\n

“If you remember, when I went to Newcastle, they were in a bad position and we were fighting until the last minute.<\/p>\n

“We were relegated in the last game. We played against Tottenham<\/a>, I think it was one of the best games, maybe in the history of Newcastle. With ten players, we beat Tottenham that was trying to be second. We beat them 5-1.<\/p>\n

“The fans, this day, were amazing, and I decided to stay because of them because I could see the potential of the club.<\/p>\n

“So, with all those things in your head, if I decide to stay when we didn’t have money – imagine with a takeover. So, obviously, the Premier League is a target for me in the future.”<\/p>\n

Despite suffering relegation with the Magpies, Benitez saw an immediate return to the top flight after finishing as champions.<\/p>\n

A tenth-placed finish was followed by back-to-back 13th placed finishes, but despite failing to push for a European spot, the fans adored the Spaniard.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>