The Spanish Federation president, Luis Rubiales, has made the extraordinary claim that over the summer Newcastle United offered up the services of Rafa Benitez, following the news that the Spanish F.A had sacked their manager Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui was dropped from his position as head coach on the eve of the World Cup when it was revealed that he had been in talks to take over as boss of Real Madrid from Zinedine Zidane.
Fernando Hierro eventually took his place and Spain were knocked out of the competition in the Round of 16 to hosts Russia. But for a short period, the Spanish F.A would have been frantically attempting to find a suitable replacement to the recently sacked Lopetegui.
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And what better man to undertake the role than Spaniard Rafa Benitez, a manager with a wealth of experience, and a career working for the top sides in football, not to mention winning multiple major European trophies along the way.
As per the Newcastle Chronicle, chief sports writer Lee Ryder reports:
Span [sic] FA chief Luis Rubiales makes claim and says: "When I sacked Julen I immediately called Hierro and told him I didn't want to make changes. Two days later a letter arrived from #nufc saying 'Are you interested in our coach? He's at your disposition.' We said thanks but no"
The Newcastle hierarchy and Benitez have been in a tussle over transfer funds and so far, it would be kind to the club to say that the former Real Madrid boss has had to sell-to-buy. The club have sold players and kept almost the entire 120 million or so TV money they have acquired.
And for this quote from Rubiales, it can mean one of two things: Newcastle United are that desperate for funds they're willing to put their manager up for hire - or, they're just trying to force him out to strengthen their position with the supporters.
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We'll let you make your mind up about that one.
Topics: Football News, Football, Rafa Benitez, Spain, Newcastle United
