French sports ‘paper L’Equipe claims Rafa Benitez is on a shortlist of seven names to be the next Marseille boss.
Benitez and Newcastle continue to work through a list of demands submitted to the Newcastle hierarchy with a view to signing a new contract – although the delay and lack of sign of a short-term resolution have left supporters jumpy.
It has also alerted other clubs to his availability, with reports in Glasgow claiming – somewhat flimsily, based on bookmakers odds – that he is a contender for the Celtic job. A new report from France this morning also suggests Benitez is on Marseille’s shortlist along with some fellow big name contenders including Andre Villas-Boas, Gabriel Heinze, Jose Mourinho, Leonardo Jardim, Claude Puel and Laurent Blanc.
L’Equipe’s claim is that Benitez has been “offered” to Marseille through contacts in France – although it notes that the contract offer from Newcastle makes it an unlikely road for Marseille – who have still not sacked Rudi Garcia yet – to go down. “Proposed via French intermediaries, Benitez has a proposal for an extension from Newcastle,” it reports.
And the truth is Benitez’s sole focus at the moment is on squaring off what is happening with the Newcastle role that he wants to continue in.
Although nothing is guaranteed on that front, any claims that Benitez is encouraging interest from elsewhere should be taken with a pinch of salt. While agents or intermediaries might be, the man himself has told Newcastle he wants to stay if the conditions are right – and any discussions about a move elsewhere will only come if he exhausts his negotiations with United.
