Rafa Benitez snubs Leeds United, he’s holding out for job at West Ham United
Rafael Benitez showed no interest in taking the Leeds United job as he’s holding out for the West Ham role if David Moyes gets sacked, according to the Daily Mirror.
According to the Daily Mail [20 February], the Spaniard had no interest in the Elland Road project as he continues to find the right role.
While Moyes is expected to be in charge against Nottingham Forest this weekend, former Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle manager Benitez, 62, is “on standby and wants the job”, according to the same report.
And according to the Mirror [22 February, pg 22], the Whites explored Benitez as a potential candidate to replace Jesse Marsch but the Spaniard showed no interest and is believed to be holding out for the Hammers role should Moyes be sacked.
Days are numbered
Moyes has undergone a tremendous job at the London Stadium over the last few campaigns, taking them to top-eight finishes and to a Europa League semi-final whilst transforming the aura of the whole club.
However, the current campaign has proven an unfortunate disaster which means his days are surely numbered at the helm.
The club are currently steeped in a relegation dogfight and it is uncertain whether the Scottish manager has enough in the tank to drag them out of it.
Reports [SixFootTwo, 21 February] suggesting that the Hammers board are sounding out replacements are totally understandable given the club’s current predicament but there are a few West Ham fans who will be totally reserved about taking Benitez on as manager after his failure at Everton.
The Spaniard has been a tremendous success story throughout his managerial career, but is he what the club need right now? And does he possess the nous to replace Moyes and lead the club out of a relegation dogfight? It certainly remains to be seen.