Controversial presenter Richard Keys has made the remarkable claim Rafa Benitez tried to leave Newcastle United for Everton twice during his reign on Tyneside.
Benitez left the Magpies at the end of June and is now in charge at Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.
Former Sky Sports presenter Keys - who is now senior anchor at beIN Sports - took frequent swipes at Benitez during his stint at St James' Park and subsequent departure.
Posting on his blog on Monday, Keys has tipped the 59-year-old for a potential quick return to English football with Everton boss Marco Silva under pressure due to the Toffees' slow start to the season.
And the presenter believes Benitez will be eyeing up an opportunity at Goodison Park - insisting he twice attempted to swap Tyneside for Merseyside.
Keys wrote: "Don’t believe he wouldn’t take it. He tried twice to get it when he was at Newcastle - before Sam and Silva.
"He’d walk back from China for it. Rafa doesn’t do ‘emotion’ - as he proved when he went to Chelsea.
"He does what he believes is right for himself. He always has. Ask Mike Ashley."
United's 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday eased the pressure of head coach Steve Bruce, who has struggled to win over the fanbase since replacing Benitez in the summer.
Despite his frequent criticisms of Spaniard, Keys concedes the 59-year-old is a "good coach".
But the outspoken presenter has slammed Benitez for his "constant moaning" while in the dugout on Tyneside, and believes he had the best job he was ever going to get in England at St James' Park.
Keys finished: "If Newcastle fans are wondering why I’m suggesting Rafa - let me explain.
"Never have I said he isn’t a good coach. We all know he is. What irritated me about his time at Newcastle was the constant moaning.
"He knew the deal. So get on with it. Despite being told time and again that he’d walk into one of the world’s top jobs on leaving Newcastle I said he wouldn’t.
"He didn’t. He had the best job he was ever going to get in England - unless Everton are brave enough. Let’s see..."
