RAF AND READY
Rafael Benitez emerges as shock potential Gareth Southgate replacement with Liverpool icon confirming England interest
The Spaniard pointed to a key reason to explain why he could be suited to the job
RAFA BENITEZ is interested in replacing Gareth Southgate as England manager.
The Spaniard has plenty of experience managing in England from spells at Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle.
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He is now in charge of LaLiga strugglers Celta Vigo but he admitted he would be interested in the Three Lions job if it became available.
Gareth Southgate's future remains uncertain with many expecting him to quit at the end of Euro 2024.
Benitez, 63, revealed he is friends with some of Southgate's staff and would be keen to managing a national team capable of winning trophies.
Asked if he fancied managing England or Spain, Benitez told : "That is always a dangerous question as there is a manager who is doing the job well. I even have friends on Southgate's staff. We have a very good relationship.
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"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."
Southgate, 53, is out of contract at the end of the year and had previously hinted he would be ready to quit after this summer’s Euro 2024 finals.
But after the Nations League draw earlier this month he admitted the lure of staying at the helm for another two years was one that he might not be able to resist - as long as he believes he is still the right man for the job.
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Rafa Benitez's trophy haul
Valencia - La Liga x2, Europa League
Liverpool - Champions League, FA Cup, Super Cup
Inter Milan - Club World Cup
Chelsea - Europa League
Napoli - Coppa Italia
Newcastle - Championship
Total = 10
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Southgate said: “Without a doubt it’s exciting to take this team and always has been.
“In the end, we’ve got to deliver performance, and you’ve got to make the best decisions for everybody.
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“I won’t be in a position to make that decision [on his future] before the tournament.”
He added: “There's probably 55 international coaches and there's a fair chance half of them won't be here after the Euros. That's international football.
"You've got to keep winning football matches, and then make decisions.
“So I'm completely relaxed about that. All my focus is on delivering the best possible tournament this summer.”
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