Rafa Benitez Sacked: Should Liverpool sign him in the summer?

Celta Vigo have sacked manager Rafa Benitez on Tuesday, March 12. The former Liverpool manager leaves the Spanish side after just over eight months in charge of the Spanish side.

Rafa Benitez sacked as Celta Vigo Manager

Celta Vigo appointed Benitez as manager last summer after they finished 13^th in La Liga. However, they find themselves 17^th in the standings after 28 games this season, sitting just two points above the relegation zone.

Los Celestes have won five, drawn nine and lost 14 of their 28 league games so far this season. They lost 4-0 at Real Madrid in their last game on Sunday, March 10.

Celta Vigo announced Rafa Benitez’s sacking on Tuesday, with the club statement reading:

“Rafa Benitez and his staff leave RC Celta after eight months of absolute dedication and total commitment, but in which the team has not obtained the results expected by the club.

“The club would like to express to Rafa Benitez and his assistants its most sincere gratitude for the honesty and professionalism they have shown since their arrival and the tireless work they have done. RC Celta would also like to wish them the best of luck and success in the future.”

Celta Vigo are set to face Sevilla away next in La Liga on Sunday, March 17.

Also Read: Michael Edwards Returns to Liverpool FC as Head of Football Operations

Rafa Benitez Sacked: An option for Liverpool in the summer?

Liverpool are one of the top clubs who are set to be without a manager in the summer. Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season. The Reds are now in the hunt for a new manager.

Many names have already been linked with a move to Anfield, including former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi. Rafa Benitez getting sacked could also put him as one of the options to replace Klopp or become Liverpool’s next manager.

Benitez has managed Liverpool previously from 2004 to 2010. He led them to the UEFA Champions League triumph in his first season. He also won an FA Cup, a Community Shield, and a UEFA Super Cup during his stint at Anfield. The Spaniard won 197, drew 74 and lost 79 of his 350 games in charge of the Reds.

While he did taste some success with them, Rafa Benitez is unlikely to join Liverpool again in the summer. The Spaniard is known for a highly tactical, solid and arguably pragmatic style of football, which is highly different from the attacking style the Reds have seen in the last nine years under Jurgen Klopp.

Moreover, while Rafa Benitez has experience of managing the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan, Liverpool have many options available in the market, that are much more focused on attack and building youth systems.

Hence, it’s unlikely that the Merseysiders will sign Benitez in the summer.