Celtic fans aren’t going to hold their breath waiting on Rafa Benitez taking over as manager.
With his Newcastle contract ending in the summer and a vacancy created by the departure of Brendan Rodgers there is some logic to linking those two issues.
Logic however rarely applies in football with little prospect of a manager with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Chelsea on his recent CV being tempted towards the SPFL.
Celtic’s name and reputation might get them a polite audience with Benitez’s advisers but the harsh economics of the football business in 2019 won’t see the idea make much progress.
The Spaniard took up the Newcastle job on an SOS to save the club from relegation in March 2016, he failed in that task but a rapid promotion and two seasons of survival with virtually no money in EPL terms has enhanced his reputation.
Benitez can now let the clock run down on his Newcastle deal, wave the fans goodbye with the finger of blame pointed at Mike Ashley and wait for the offers to arrive that will let him return to the sharp end of the transfer market.
Being linked with Celtic won’t do him any harm, or the club, but despite the flurry of interest and cut in his odds there is very little chance of Benitez taking Celtic into next season.
If people think Rafa Benitez will come to Celtic they need to seriously get their heads examined
— Matthew Rankin (@Mej04041992) March 27, 2019
Rafa Benitez in to 5/1 for next Celtic manager. Can not see it but would be an absolutely world class appointment. Tactically in europe not many better for me.
— Woody (@Woodybhoy67) March 27, 2019
BREAKING – Rafa Benitez, fed up with Newcastle’s transfer policy has finally had enough, and is heading to Glasgow for talks with big spending Celtic. ???? https://t.co/OlfDwoLLoL
— Jamie Donnelly (@jamiedonnelly83) March 27, 2019
No chance Celtic couldn’t afford 1/4 of rafas wages
— Colin Leighton (@colin_leighton4) March 27, 2019
No chance of European football with Newcastle
— brian (@sctsman64) March 27, 2019
More chance of Scotland qualifying for any summer tournament
— captaincook (@captaincook8) March 27, 2019
Is this football journalism now? Reporting on bookmakers odds? Shouldn’t journalists be speaking to sources and asking questions of people at the Club, actually trying to gather proper information to share with the public?
— Paul McQueen (@queenmachine67) March 27, 2019
Now we’re talking
— Tom (@Tombhoy09) March 27, 2019
Why would he come to Celtic ? He would have a harder time getting money for transfers than the Newcastle board!
— Mick mon (@Mickmon5) March 27, 2019
Guy can’t handle being at a club that will only spend 20 million on a player how the hell will he cope working with lawwell
— Craig (@craigmoore1981) March 27, 2019