Rafa Benitez is reported to have turned down the chance to manage Bournemouth which might provide the Celtic hierarchy with some encouragement.
The Spaniard was linked with Celtic the moment that he stepped down from managing Chinese side Dalian Pro but things moved to a new level in midweek when the hoops job became vacant.
Celtic haven’t outlined any plans or process to find a new manager with the club in a state of turmoil as their domestic dominance comes to an end.
Benitez is believed to be looking for ‘a project’, at Bournemouth it is unlikely that their ambitions stretch beyond matching the Eddie Howe years of being mid-table in the EPL.
Celtic’s incoming CEO Dom McKay is scheduled to replace Peter Lawwell on July 1 but waiting until the eve of next season to begin the recruitment process would be a serious handicap to the new regime.
After dismissing Jason Tindall on February 3 Bournemouth’s search for a replacement failed to come up with the candidate that they required with Jonathan Woodgate installed as caretaker until the end of this season.
Knitting the various stands together The Sun reports:
RAFA BENITEZ reportedly turned down the Bournemouth job after quitting China for family reasons. The Mail claims that Benitez, 60, was approached by the Cherries this month after they sacked Jason Tindall.
The Spaniard – who remains one of the main favourites to be next permanent manager of Celtic – was available having just quit Super League side Dalian Pro to be with his England-based family. Benitez is no stranger to a brutal Championship season, having guided Newcastle to the title in 2017.
But the former Liverpool and Chelsea gaffer turned down Bournemouth’s offer, claiming he did not want to make an immediate return to the dugout. The Cherries have since made interim boss Jonathan Woodgate their manager until the end of the season.
John Kennedy was appointed as Celtic’s Interim Manager with no timescale put on his term in charge.