Celta Vigo set to hire Rafael Benitez, club say

ANKARA

Celta Vigo are set to appoint Spanish head coach Rafael Benitez as the parties agreed in principle, the Spanish La Liga club said Friday.

Benitez, 63, one of the famous managers, is a former Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton boss while he was in England.

He won the 2005 UEFA Champions League title with Liverpool, one year after UEFA Cup success with Spain’s Valencia.

Benitez also led Chelsea to UEFA Europa League success in 2013.

The UEFA Cup was rebranded Europa League in 2009.

In addition, he managed Italian clubs Inter Milan and Napoli, and Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid before moving to Newcastle United.

Benitez last coached English Premier League’s Everton but was fired in 2022 for poor results.