Rafa Benitez has put West Ham United and Manuel Pellegrini on notice with comments about wanting to return to the Premier League.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United boss is currently managing Dalian Yifang in the Chinese Super League and said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show last week that he intends to manage in England again.
That appeared to serve as a blow to the Hammers who had been tipped to replace Pellegrini with the Spaniard.
The Chilean did guide United to a 1-0 win over Southampton at the weekend to effectively save his job.
But how long will he be in the dugout at the London Stadium?
That remains to be seen and the good news is that he doesn't have to worry about Benitez lurking in the background as the 59-year-old has reiterated his stance about when he plans to come back to the Premier League.
"I’ve had offers from the Premier League but you have to do the right things in your head," he told the Athletic Podcast ."Then when I left, I decided I wanted to keep working, I didn’t want to wait.
"That’s it, it was a big project, a great option and I was happy with that.
"If these teams that fired their managers, if they wanted to come in the past, they could come. And if they wanted to come they had to be really convinced.
"It’s not a question that someone is telling you: ‘Oh, maybe it’s an option.’ No.I am happy where I am at the moment, we are doing well, hopefully we can continue.
"And if something happens – because football changes – it will be in the future.
"We will consider everything but at the moment it’s fine and I’m happy with that.
"Yeah [I’ll come back] in the future for sure because my family’s here.
"The Premier League is very exciting. Competitive, stadiums are full, the fans are very passionate.
"A lot of positives and the game is really intense so it’s something I like."
