Rafa Benitez, wearing a suit and tie, smiles ahead of the Champions League match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid at Anfield
Rafael Benitez admits he wants a Premier League return, with four managers under pressure heading into the international break.
The former Liverpool manager has not managed in England since he was sacked by Everton in 2022 after only six months in charge.
Rafa Benitez gestures during a Panathinaikos match3
Rafa Benitez is looking for a way back into football
He has extensive experience of taking charge of English clubs including his time at Newcastle, Chelsea, and Anfield.
Across his spells in England he won the FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, and the EFL Championship.
Benitez was last managing in Greece at Panathinaikos on a 2.5 year contract before moving on seven months later in May.
Since, he has become a member of the UEFA Technical Observer Group for the current season to help the organisation to analyse matches, study tactical trends, and contribute to reports.
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However, he spoke to talkSPORT on Tuesday evening about his desire to return to the dugout.
Asked about a potential return on talkSPORT Drive, Benitez said: "You know that I'm working now for UEFA, but I'm watching games all the time, and especially the Premier League, because I want to know the players, I want to know their style.
"I could see the other day when I was watching Juventus vs Napoli, then I was watching Liverpool vs Arsenal, and you can see the difference.
"So I like the Premier League because of the intensity. Every game, every ball is a challenge.
" I think it's fantastic. The problem is that you need to find the right project. Talking about projects in football now is quite complicated."
Andy Goldstein then asked: "Would that project be in the Premier League, Rafa?"
Benitez responded: "Yeah, yeah, I would be happy with that, for sure."
John Terry – Chelsea (2013)3
Benitez won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana at Napoli
Goldstein responded: "And what about Napoli? Can you see yourself going back to Napoli?"
Benitez added: "Napoli is a nice place, I have very good memories, but they still have a manager.
"So what I am doing is open, because I am working with UEFA, watching Roma against Real Madrid.
"But I watch the French League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Premier League. They are my favourites, for sure."
Next Premier League manager to be sacked
There has not been a single sacking in the top flight so far this season; however, there are many managers under the microscope.
Michael Carrick was close to being sacked from Manchester United after not winning in nine games; however, he has been given multiple chances from the hierarchy and secured victory in the Champions League on Tuesday against Roma.
Man United manager Michael Carrick3
Despite winning mid-week in the Champions League, Carrick knows he must win this weekend
Meanwhile, Regis Le Bris is under pressure at bottom-of-the-table Sunderland and Pierre Sage is struggling with Crystal Palace.
Additionally, Oliver Glasner at Nottingham Forest challenged the board to sack him after they were defeated 2-0 by Brentford.
Those four clubs currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table.