According to The Mirror, former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez is on the shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager if the Gunners long-term boss decides to call it a day at the end of this season.
Benitez is reportedly one of four names that have been identified by the Arsenal hierarchy as suitable for the job, along with Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Tuchel, Barcelona manager Luis Enrique and Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim.
Benitez is said to be interested in having Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry on his coaching staff and the current Newcastle United boss refuses to rule out replacing Wenger the Emirates on Friday saying:
“I’m the manager for Newcastle playing against Norwich and then the next games.
“That’s it, so I’m just focused on that. As a manager you are used to have clubs talking and the media talking so what you have to do is just concentrate on your job.”
And Benitez is also uncertain over Wenger’s future. Asked if he thought it would be Wenger’s final term, the one-time interim Chelsea boss said:
‘I don’t know.
“I have a good relationship with him. I think he’s a good manager, and that he’s doing a great job, but that is not my concern.”
Benitez has impressed at Newcastle in the Championship this season, with the Magpies currently sitting top of the table with a one-point lead over Brighton.
He has experience working in the Premier League, having spent six years at Liverpool, where he won the Champions League and one FA Cup, and one season at Chelsea where he won the Europa League.
What do you think Arsenal fans? Would Rafa be a good replacement for Arsene Wenger?