- Rafael Benítez has been linked with one of the most important jobs in Brazilian football
- The Spaniard was sacked by Celta Vigo in March after less than a year in charge.
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Rafa Benítez could soon take over one of the giants of South American football, according to reports in Brazil.
The former Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea manager is reportedly on the shortlist to be Sao Paulo’s next manager.
According to a Brazilian media Arquinbancada TricolorThe club has held talks “behind the scenes” with Benítez to replace Thiago Carpini, who was not named until January.
Sports GazetteMeanwhile, he reported that the club were in “advanced talks” with Benitez, but were also considering former Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Cavalhal and former Manchester City assistant Domenec Torrent as alternatives.
Negotiations with Benitez have reportedly been led by Giuliano Bertolucci, one of Brazil’s most influential agents, whose clients include Premier League stars Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes and PSG captain Marquinhos.
Rafael Benítez would be close to taking charge of the Brazilian giant Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo coach Thiago Carpini could be fired, despite having only been appointed in January
Benitez has been out of a job since being sacked by Celta Vigo last month after less than a season in charge.
The Spaniard arrived at the LaLiga club in July 2023, but left after losing 14 of the 28 league games he managed and his team in 17th place in the standings, just two points away from the relegation zone.
In a statement announcing his departure, Celta said the 63-year-old coach had not met the standards expected by the club.
‘Rafa Benítez and his team leave RC Celta after eight months of absolute dedication and total commitment, but in which the team has not obtained the results expected by the club.
‘The club would like to express its most sincere gratitude to Rafa Benítez and his assistants for the honesty and professionalism they have shown since their arrival and the tireless work they have done.
“RC Celta would also like to wish them good luck and success in the future.”
Benítez was sacked by Celta Vigo in March after losing 14 of his 28 league games in charge.
Sao Paulo is the leader of its group in the Paulista state championship and second in its Copa Libertadores group, but lost its first two games in the national championship.
Benítez won 11 major trophies in 13 seasons in LaLiga, the Premier League and Serie A and led Liverpool to win the Champions League in 2005.
His last stay in England, however, ended with his dismissal from Everton in January 2022, after 18 months in charge of the club in 15th place in the Premier League.
Sao Paulo has lost its first two games in the Brazilian Championship, but is leader of Group D in the Paulista Championship – the championship of the state of Sao Paulo – and second in Group B of the Copa Libertadores with three points after two games.
One of the giants of South American soccer, Sao Paulo, has not won the national championship since 2008, three years after winning the last of its three Copa Libertadores titles.
Carpini lifted the Brazilian Super Cup in January, the club’s first major trophy since its triumph in the Paulista Championship three years ago.