Rafael Benitez has been out of management since being sacked in March
He has now talked up the possibility of taking a national team job
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By SAM BROOKES
Published: 15:15 EST, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 15:15 EST, 4 December 2024
Former Premier League manager Rafael Benitez has raised the possibility of taking his national team job.
Benitez, 64, who has previously managed Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton in England's top-flight, has been away from the dugout since he was sacked by LaLiga outfit Celta Vigo in March.
He is now keen on a return to the touchline, and this time it could be on the international stage.
In a recent interview with Norwegian podcast Bakrommet, Benitez was asked about coaching Norway.
'I will consider a good team. Do you think they are a good team?' Benitez queried.
When the response was a positive one, Benitez replied: 'Yes, then I would consider it,' before adding 'The national team can be a good challenge'.
Rafael Benitez has said he would consider managing the Norwegian national team
Benitez has been away from the touchline since he was sacked by Celta Vigo in March
Benitez would get to work with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard if he was handed the job
Norway are currently managed by Stale Solbakken, and they won their Nations League group last month to earn promotion to the top tier of the competition.
But they have failed to qualify for a major tournament since Euro 2000, despite being able to call on global superstars such as Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
Failure to make the expanded 2026 World Cup could spell the end for Solbakken, and leave Norway searching for a new manager.
And they could potentially turn to Benitez given his pedigree at the highest level.
The Spanish manager famously won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 after previously winning two LaLiga titles and the UEFA Cup at Valencia.
He went on to triumph in the Europa League with Chelsea, and has also claimed major honours at Inter Milan and Napoli.
However, his last couple of jobs have not gone to plan. Benitez was sacked by Everton after just six months in charge in January 2022, and he only lasted two months longer at Celta Vigo before being shown the exit door.