Celta Vigo have announced an agreement in principle with Rafael Benitez to become the club’s new manager, with a three-year deal expected to be signed in July, in time for pre-season. The 63-year-old Spaniard has been out of management since being sacked by Everton in January 2022.
✅👓 Principio de acuerdo para que 𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐢́𝐭𝐞𝐳 sea el entrenador del @RCCelta100 💙#100AnosdeAfoutezaeCorazón
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) June 23, 2023
Benitez, who has had offers to manage in Saudi Arabia, has been eager to return to management and has been looking for an appropriate project in one of the top five European leagues.
He was linked to West Ham United and Leicester City last season but is now set to return to his native country. Celta Vigo finished 13th in La Liga in the 2022-23 season and has been searching for a new manager since Carlos Carvalhal left his position by mutual consent earlier this month.
With a wealth of experience, Benitez has managed top clubs such as Liverpool, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Napoli, Inter Milan, and Valencia. His notable achievements include winning the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, LaLiga twice, the Europa League, UEFA Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup, and Coppa Italia. Celta Vigo described Benitez as a “formidable leader” and “one of the most successful coaches in our country’s history”.
