- Rafael Benitez has been linked with one of the biggest jobs in Brazilian football
- The Spaniard was fired by Celta Vigo in March after less than a year in charge
- Exhausted Man City?! We are all tired, but it is dangerous to spread that message. It’s about big games: listen to the It all starts podcast
According to reports in Brazil, Rafa Benitez could soon take charge of one of the giants of South American football.
The former Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea manager is reportedly being lined up to be the next manager of Sao Paulo.
According to a Brazilian outlet Arquinbancada Tricolorthe club has been in ‘behind the scenes’ discussions with Benitez to replace Thiago Carpini, who was only appointed in January.
Gazeta EsportivaMeanwhile, the club reported that the club were in ‘advanced discussions’ with Benitez, but were also considering former Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Cavalhal and former Manchester City assistant Domenec Torrent as alternatives.
The negotiations with Benitez were reportedly conducted 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 Benitez is reportedly set to take charge of Brazilian giants Sao Paulo
São Paulo boss Thiago Carpini could be sacked despite only being appointed in January
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Benitez has been out of a job since being sacked by Celta Vigo last month after less than a season in charge.
The Spaniard joined the LaLiga club in July 2023 but left after losing 14 of the 28 league games he was in charge with and his team sitting 17th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
In a statement announcing his departure, Celta noted that the 63-year-old did not meet the standards the club expected.
‘Rafa Benítez and his staff leave RC Celta after eight months of absolute dedication and total commitment, but during which the team did not achieve the results expected by the club.
‘The club would like to express its sincere thanks to Rafa Benítez and his assistants for the honesty and professionalism they have shown since their arrival and for the tireless work they have done.
‘RC Celta also wishes them good luck and success in the future.’
Benitez was sacked by Celta Vigo in March after losing 14 of his 28 league matches in charge
Sao Paulo top their group in the Paulista State Championship and second in their Copa Libertadores group, but have lost their first two games in the National Championship
Benitez won 11 major trophies in 13 seasons in LaLiga, the Premier League and Serie A and led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005.
However, his last spell in England ended when he was sacked by Everton in January 2022 after 18 months in charge of the 15th-place club in the Premier League.
Sao Paulo has lost both of its first two games in the Brazilian championship, but is top of Group D in the Campeonato Paulista – Sao Paulo’s state championship – and second in Group B in the Copa Libertadores with three points after two games.
Sao Paulo, one of the giants of South American football, have not won a league championship since 2008, three years after they won the last of their three Copa Libertadores titles.
Carpini won the Brazilian Super Cup in January, the club’s first major trophy since their victory over Campeonato Paulista three years ago.