Rafa Benitez sacked by Celta Vigo after just eight months and five La Liga wins

12 March 2024 , 13:34

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Rafael Benitez has been sacked by Celta Vigo (Image: Getty Images)

Celta Vigo have sacked Rafael Benitez after a disappointing spell in charge.

The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle boss took charge of the La Liga side back in June, returning to management almost 18 months after leaving Everton.

However, Benitez endured a difficult time following his appointment and was relieved of his duties on Tuesday afternoon after winning just one of his last five matches. During his time at Celta, Benitez won nine of his 33 games and leaves the club in a precarious position just outside the relegation zone.

Celta sit 17th on five victories and nine draws from their 28 games, two points above 18th-place Cadiz inside the bottom three. And The Sky Blues have decided to make a change and sack Benitez heading into run-in. Celta are next in action when they travel to Sevilla this weekend in a crucial game in their fight for survival.

A club statement read: "Rafa Benitez and his coaching staff leave RC Celta after eight months of absolute commitment and full dedication, but in which the team has not obtained the results expected by the club.

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"The club would like to express its most sincere gratitude to Rafa Benítez and his assistants for the involvement, honesty and professionalism they have shown since their arrival and the tireless work they have done. RC Celta also wants to wish them good luck and success in the future."

Benitez's exit comes a matter of weeks after he audaciously threw his hat in the ring to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager. The 63-year-old claimed he has "very good relationship" with some of Southgate's coaching staff and would eventually like to go into international management.

Rafael Benitez has been sacked after eight months in charge (Getty Images)

In a recent interview with the Athletic, Benitez said: "That is always a dangerous question as there is a manager who is doing the job well. I even have friends on Southgate's staff. We have a very good relationship.

"But, thinking about the future, I'd like to have a national team capable of competing for trophies. I suffer a lot with defeats. When you are in a team which does not lose so often, you get used to competing to win things. So I would like to have a national team capable of achieving things - but again, all in the future."

At the same time, Benitez highlighted his ambitions for the immediate future - and wanted to stabilise Celta as a mid-table La Liga outfit. He added: "First, to do a good job here so Celta can grow and gain stability, not to suffer every year. With structure and organisation, you can achieve a comfortable position in the table, then start to approach the European places.

"That would be the objective. Then, for the future, maybe international management, a chance to be at a World Cup or European Championship."

Benitez's final game in charge of Celta was a 4-0 drubbing at Real Madrid on Sunday.

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Kieran King