cristiano ronaldo football kit Rafa Benitez has left the door open to a potential return to Newcastle in the future, after saying he expects to return to the UK after his time in China.
The Spaniard is settling into his new job at Dalian Yifang, the club currently sat 10th in the 16-team Chinese Super League.
He took a reported ￡12 million ($15m) per year deal there after failing to agree a contract extension on Tyneside, where he grew increasingly frustrated at owner Mike Ashley’s refusal to commit to rebuilding the playing squad.
Article continues below
Editors’ Picks Messi can put slow PSG start behind him with starring role against Real Madrid ‘They will see who we are!’ – Cancelo, Dias, Bernardo and Ederson return to Benfica-Sporting rivalry with Man City A change of position and chats with Rangnick – How Sancho found his form at Man Utd Jamie Bynoe-Gittens: Will ex-Man City wonderkid become ‘the new Sancho’ at Dortmund?
“I expect to do well with Dalian Yifang and after that to come back to the UK,” Benitez said.
“I don’t know when. But you are always happy to come back where people appreciate your effort and commitment – and Newcastle United’s fans have been one of the best in my management career.
“I can only offer them my gratitude. I showed my Football jerseys for sale commitment from day one and they supported me all the time – even when things on the pitch were not going well.