West Ham United should avoid appointing Rafael Benitez to replace David Moyes as contract development emerges
West Ham United managerial target Rafa Benitez wants a longer contract than the club are willing to offer, according to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee and the Hammers should avoid appointing the Spaniard if Moyes is sacked.
For the last few months, it’s felt as if manager David Moyes has perpetually been on the brink but the 59-year-old has so far been backed by the club board, at least for the remainder of the campaign.
The Daily Mail reported on 20 February that the trophy-laden Benitez was being put on standby for the West Ham head coach role should Moyes be relieved of his duties and the Spaniard could well become permanent boss if Moyes is removed at the end of the season.
However, speaking on The West Ham Way podcast [10 April], Ex revealed that Benitez supposedly wants a long-term contract but the board aren’t so keen on that.
He said: (10:50): “Apparently Rafa Benitez is another manager that we’ve considered, but he wants a long-term contract and we only wanted to give him six months.”
With the number of talented managers currently out of a job right now, especially Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers, West Ham United fans may be a bit sceptical about the club turning towards Benitez to replace Moyes.
It’s clear the Hammers need a swift rebuild, especially if they secure their Premier League status for next season and they’ll need a project manager to undergo that. And Potter and Rodgers seem the ideal candidates to achieve that at the London Stadium, given their tremendous work at Brighton and Leicester City respectively.
Benitez does have an impressive CV, however, being a Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and multiple La Liga winner in his earlier career and his record speaks for itself at how much he can offer the club in terms of stability and pedigree.
But, there are doubts about his tactics being similar to Moyes’ dinosaur and old-school philosophy which the West Ham United desperately fans want to steer clear of when the former Manchester United boss eventually leaves.
Despite their struggles at their previous jobs, Rodgers and Potter are still heavily appealing and they are candidates the Irons should be going for, managers who are known to incorporate talented young stars and nurture them to become future world-beaters.
Possessing a penchant for an attractive style and brand of football whilst also significantly improving the players at their disposal, either Potter or the former Leicester City boss could be the ideal man to replace Moyes next season.
Benitez should only be considered as a last resort at the London Stadium.