Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has rejected claims he is being lined up to replace Slaven Bilic at West Ham United. A report in the Mirror at the weekend suggested the Spaniard is the most likely candidate to takeover at the London Stadium if Bilic leaves his post with the Hammers.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference in the build up to the league game tonight against Wigan Athletic, Benitez told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle that even though he has a great deal of respect for West Ham and those running the club, he has a job to do for the Magpies:
“I have a lot of respect for West Ham because when I was in contact with them, they were really good and professional. But I am really happy here and then we carry on trying to win games.”
“It’s not easy for me. They [West Ham] were really nice and really good with me. At the moment, I’m really pleased here. I’m not thinking about anything like that – just winning against Wigan and getting promoted at the end of the season.”
Benitez was said to be close to becoming West Ham manager before he opted to become head coach at Real Madrid in 2015. He was sacked after six months in charge at the Bernabeu and returned to the UK to manage Newcastle in March.
The Magpies are currently second behind Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship table but could regain top spot with a win at the DW Stadium tonight.
