Rafa Benitez rejected the chance to become Leeds United manager in the hope of securing the West Ham United job.
That’s according to a report from The Mirror (print edition February 22nd, page 22) who claim that Leeds attempted to bring Benitez to Elland Road before they appointed Javi Gracia.
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However, Leeds were unsuccessful in their attempts to lure the Spaniard. It has already been claimed that Benitez wants the West Ham job above all others.
David Moyes is really feeling the heat at the London Stadium, with his Hammers side currently sitting inside the relegation zone.
And it seems that if the West Ham owners decide to part ways with the Scot, appointing Benitez should be a fairly straightforward task…
Leeds missed out on West Ham manager target
The Mirror reckon that Benitez knocked back the Whites in the hope of getting the call from West Ham.
Now, I believe that Rafa would be a very good short-term appointment for the Hammers.
The two-time La Liga winner, who has a Champions League, La Liga and FA Cup winner’s medals to his name, is currently out of work, and is on standby to take over from Moyes, should the Scot be given his marching orders.
Benitez would keep us up, I have no doubts about that. He is a brilliant tactician and is on another level to Moyes in my opinion.
However, I wouldn’t want the Spaniard to be given a long-term contract. There are far better options out there available for us in my opinion.
It is telling that the 62-year-old allegedly rejected Leeds United in order to hold out for possible interest from West Ham United.
It just goes to show that the Hammers are still a very big draw in the game doesn’t it, despite our obvious problems.
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