Darren Bent believes that Rafa Benitez would take the Leeds United job if an offer was made having previously managed Newcastle United in the Championship.
Bent was speaking on talkSPORT amid doubts over the future of Javi Gracia at Elland Road. The Times reports that the Spaniard is set to be sacked off the back of Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Bournemouth.
Gracia is certainly not blameless in all of the mess. But there is no question that sacking him at this stage of the season would be a bold move with Manchester City, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham ahead in our final four games.
Bent thinks Benitez would take the Leeds job
It seems that Leeds have their replacement in mind. The Times suggests that the Whites could look to appoint Sam Allardyce for the rest of the season.
And turning to Allardyce highlights the issue Leeds face. Who would be foolish enough to come in in this situation to try and keep Leeds in the Premier League while they seem to be in free fall?
Before the links with Allardyce emerged, Bent suggested that Rafa Benitez would be open to heading to Elland Road.
“I think Rafa would take it,” he told talkSPORT. “Remember, which is why Newcastle fans love him, he was in the Championship with Newcastle, Rafa. So it’s not like he just wants to stay in the Premier League. So Rafa is the one I think would take it.”
The end of this season cannot come quick enough. Whatever happens on the pitch, massive changes are needed behind the scenes.
That includes a new director of football and a new manager. Rafa Benitez is obviously a marquee name. But it does feel as though the time has come where turning to the Spaniard is an underwhelming choice.
Bring on the Big Sam era, it seems.
It’s never dull at Leeds. Sometimes, you really wish it was.