Rafa Benitez latest amid Celtic interest as Spanish boss hints at preference for next role

Former Newcastle and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is targeting a return to the English Premier League after leaving his post as manager of Dalian Professional in China.

Rafa Benitez is apparently eyeing a return to England

The 60-year-old is understood to have ruled out a potential return to St James' Park and a reunion with Magpies owner Mike Ashley but there has been contact from other clubs in England as well as in Italy.

Benitez, who has had three spells in England including a period of time as interim boss of Chelsea, was linked with the top job at Celtic amid ongoing uncertainty over Neil Lennon's future at the club, and is as short as ½ with some bookmakers to succeed the Northern Irishman at Parkhead.

The former Napoli and Real Madrid boss is believed to still have a house near Liverpool and Sky Sports reports that his preference is to return to the English top flight after his 18-month spell in China.