Leeds United snubbed by Rafael Benitez as he waits on West Ham United job
Rafael Benitez had no interest in taking the Leeds United job, with the Spaniard holding out for a potential opening at West Ham United, according to the Daily Mirror.
It’s understood the former Liverpool boss was uninterested in the project in West Yorkshire, with the Spaniard looking for a longer contract elsewhere (Daily Mail, 20 February).
According to the Mirror (22 February, pg 22), Leeds explored the opportunity to hire Benitez but were snubbed by the 62-year-old.
Good
Benitez has been eager to return to management and has made that very clear, but the appointment of Javi Gracia feels like a slightly more progressive approach. The 62-year-old failed miserably at Everton and has potentially reached his sell-buy date in the modern game.
He could well end up at West Ham, but the decision would certainly be a short-term one from the Hammers as they look to kickstart their survival push. David Moyes is on extremely thin ice at the London Stadium and it would not be a surprise to see him relieved of his duties if his side fail to beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
From Leeds’ perspective, they will be hoping for a draw between their two relegation rivals. It could earn Moyes a stay of execution and see West Ham’s decision to sack him delayed further. Leeds are the most out-of-form team in the Premier League at present and need all the help they can get in their bid to avoid a return to the Championship.
In other Leeds United news, a managerial decision has been made for the crucial bottom-of-the-table clash between the Whites and Southampton.