Rafa Benitez has entered the race to take Gareth Southgate’s place as England manager.
The sixty-three-year-old former manager of Liverpool, Newcastle, and Chelsea says he has a “very good relationship” with some of Southgate’s coaching staff and that his ultimate goal is to manage an international team. Benitez, who is presently at the helm of LaLiga‘s struggling Celta Vigo, has outlined his goals ahead of what is anticipated to be Southgate’s last Three Lions competition, Euro 2024.
Regarding his short-term goals, Benitez stated:
“But, thinking about the future, I’d like to have a national team capable of competing for trophies. I suffer a lot with defeats. When you are in a team which does not lose so often, you get used to competing to win things. So I would like to have a national team capable of achieving things – but again, all in the future.”
“First, to do a good job here so Celta can grow and gain stability, not to suffer every year. With structure and organisation, you can achieve a comfortable position in the table, then start to approach the European places.
“That would be the objective. Then, for the future, maybe international management, a chance to be at a World Cup or European Championship.”
Regarding his future, Southgate has been silent; however, the way England performs at the Euros will probably determine his fate. During the Nations League draw, the 53-year-old acknowledged that it’s only a matter of watching how the summer unfolds.
