Outspoken talkSPORT pundit accuses Rafa Benitez of using Newcastle United as 'stepping stone'

The 61-year-old spent three years at St. James’ Park and remains a popular figure with many supporters on Tyneside.

His tenure in the north east came to an end in 2019, and after a spell managing in China, Benitez has been out of work since January.

In recent days, he has been linked with the vacant role at Everton, but former Crystal Palace chairman Jordan has suggested that he is not the right man to take the Toffees forward – as well as arguing that the Spaniard’s main concern is self-betterment.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Rafa Benitez is in the Rafa Benitez business. My views on Benitez is that he uses clubs as a stepping stone.

"He did a decent job at Newcastle, but I don’t think his career is in the ascendancy. He didn’t go to China to further his football knowledge, he went to China to get paid a big bag of money.

"It hasn’t worked over there because the Chinese league has fallen apart and the quality has dropped. Now he wants to come back.

"Is that the reason why Everton need Rafa Benitez or do Everton need somebody who is going to get hold of it, clear out deadwood, and build something?

“You get the impression that the owner will give them the time to some extent, and I think quite frankly Ancelotti has done them a favour by going off to Real Madrid because all he would have given them is another 10 months of monotony.”