Controversial pundit weighs in on Rafa Benitez to Celtic debate as Newcastle United fans take interest

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan doubts Rafa Benitez will be appointed Celtic manager.
Former Newcastle United and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Former Newcastle United and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Former Newcastle United and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The former Newcastle United boss is among the names linked to the vacancy following Neil Lennon’s resignation on Wednesday morning.

It’s not the first time the Spaniard has been touted with succeeding Lennon at Parkhead after leaving Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro in January.

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Simon Jordan, who doesn’t hide the fact he isn’t the 60-year-old’s biggest fan, believes his salary will price the Celtic hierarchy out of a move.

He told talkSPORT: “Every single appointment is very important for Celtic in the nature of their rivalry with Rangers and the re-emergence of Rangers, it has now become even more prevalent.

"The situation with Neil Lennon, it wasn’t if, it was when. So, we are talking about something that has just been brought forward.

"When you saw Lennon’s body language and you saw his position after Ross County, it was time, probably.

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"It’s about what they do next and it’ll be very interesting because one of the things I think might preclude them from really big names is budget.

"I can’t see (Rafa) Benitez going there because Benitez likes a big bag of money.”

Also among the early frontrunners with the bookmakers are former Newcastle coach Steve Clarke, Eddie Howe, Frank Lampard and Roberto Martinez.

Meanwhile, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague doesn’t believe Benitez will return to Newcastle under Mike Ashley.

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Reports last week suggested the United owner had asked Benitez if he’d be keen on returning to the dugout at St James’s Park with the Magpies deep in relegation trouble.

Balague said in his YouTube Q&A: "Is there a project with Mike Ashley, is there a plan? Is there an intention to actually spend money on the academy, and the facilities and in the squad?"

"If the answer's no, then you've got the answer for Rafa if he was ever approached again. But he hasn't and it is a no.

"It's amazing to think that somebody of his calibre doesn't have a team but it happens. He'll have to wait for his moment."