Rafael Benitez’s odds of becoming the next Celtic manager has been slashed heavily (Daily Record) this week which could be indicative of the fact that the Spaniard might be in line to take over the top job at Park Head after the end of the season.
One of the primary reasons for the slashing of the odds is Benitez’s uncertain future at St. James’ park. The Newcastle manager’s contract is expiring soon and there is reportedly a gridlock between the two parties at the moment.
There is no doubt that a manager of Benitez’s calibre would excite the Celtic fans as the 53-year-old has managed some of the top clubs with relative success. The tactician made his name at Valencia where he won two La Liga titles with an unfancied Valencia side. However, his biggest achievement has to be making Liverpool the European Champions for the fifth time in their history when they were massive underdogs for that competition.
His work at Newcastle United cannot be overlooked as well. He took the top job in 2016, and it is no mean feat that he has lasted for so long at a club where there has been a lot of internal problems. The relationship between the manager and the owner Mike Ashley hasn’t always been great, but the Spaniard stuck to his gun and has stayed with the club through thick and thin.
In 2016, Newcastle got relegated as Benitez was appointed way too late in the second half of the season. They showed a good run of form under him, but that wasn’t enough. However, he brought the Magpies back to the Premier League by winning the Championship and then managed a top half finish last season. This season again, after a horror start, the Toon are relatively safe and can again pull off a top 10 finish.
Neil Lennon is still the favourite to take the top job next season and the fact that he has started the transfer plannings for the future suggest the same to us. If the former Hibernian manager delivers the treble, then it would be hard to look beyond him. However, if someone of Benitez’s calibre is available, then there should be only one winner here.
Celtic should try everything in their means to pull this off, and someone like Benitez can do a better job in Europe than the other managers have done in the recent past. His organisation and pragmatism can help the Hoops in taking on some of the giants of Europe. The Spaniard can guide the team to an impressive European Cup run which the Celtic faithful have been longing for quite some time now.
