Chelsea ‘open shock talks with Rafael Benitez’ over Newcastle boss becoming new Blues manager

Chelsea ‘open shock talks with Rafael Benitez’ over Newcastle boss becoming new Blues manager
Chelsea have reportedly opened negotiations over the possible return of Rafa Benitez as manager.The Newcastle boss’ current deal expires this summer and there have been difficulties in agreeing a renewal for him to stay on at St James’ Park.Getty Images - Getty2

Benitez is a shock contender to return to Chelsea as Maurizio Sarri’s successor

Football's top transfers from the 2019 summer transfer window so far And Italian outlet Tuttosport report the west London club have initiated talks to appoint Benitez as manager.Current Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri looks set to leave the Blues after just one season in charge and is expected to be named Juventus coach, reports claim.The Italian secured a third-placed Premier League finish and won the Europa League in his debut season in England, while he also guided the Blues to the EFL Cup final. But he came under fire from the Chelsea supporters, who criticised his style of play as the Blues languished well behind Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League table.A move for Benitez by the Blues hierarchy would be highly controversial, as he was a hugely unpopular figure with the Stamford Bridge faithful while interim manager for part of the 2012/13 season.getty2

Benitez spent six months as Chelsea interim manager following the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Belgium vs Scotland (Tuesday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
• Hungary vs Wales (Tuesday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT 2
• Japan vs Scotland (Friday, 2pm) talkSPORT 2
• England vs Argentina (Friday, 8pm) talkSPORT

Despite winning the Europa League, Benitez did not win over the Chelsea fans due to his criticism of the club when he was in charge of Liverpool.Meanwhile, Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus reportedly turned down the opportunity to replace Sarri at Stamford Bridge.Jesus, the former Benfica and Sporting CP boss, is said to have rejected Roman Abramovichs offer as he wanted a bigger challenge, and instead took up the post of Flamengo manager.

---

Cristiano Ronaldo seen firing up his Juventus team-mates in the tunnel before completing stunning second-half turnaround win over Atletico Madrid in Champions League clash
Juventus vs Napoli LIVE - Cristiano Ronaldo and Co take on

---

A faster way to search the web. Toggle navigation. Share:

---

Cristiano Ronaldo is a 'football god', says Rio Ferdinand (Pic: GETTY) And he compared his former Manchester United team-mate to Everton legend Duncan Ferguson for his heading ability. "He's a living football god, it's ridiculous what he's doing," Ferdinand said. "In the Champions League he's got every record that you can imagine.
"He's a living football god"- Rio Ferdinand on Cristiano

---

Manager Massimiliano Allegri will leave Serie A champions Juventus at the end of the season. The 51-year-old Italian has won the league title in each of his five seasons since taking charge in
Massimiliano Allegri: Juventus manager to leave Serie A

---

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock reveals 'brilliant' dressing room clash between two former players - 'He's gone over and headbutted him!'
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock says FA are 'out of order' for

---

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been cleared of making a racist gesture during a club meal, the Football Association has announced. Hennessey, 32, denied making the gesture in a
Wayne Hennessey cleared of making Nazi salute at Crystal

---

Arsenal legend David Seaman has urged Unai Emery to start Bernd Leno ahead of Petr Cech in the final of the Europa League. David Seaman discussed his thoughts over Arsenal's goalkeeping situation
Arsenal legend Seaman urges Emery to drop Cech for Europa

---

When is the Europa League final? Full details for Baku showpiece as Chelsea and Arsenal go head-to-head. long time Abramovich will be at Europa League final to watch first Chelsea match in a
Europa League final date, kick-off time and - football.london

---

Liverpool news: Jamie Carragher's amazing response to Adam

---

The fact that we never once sang big Sam's claret and blue army says everything (though I did enjoy a bit of "Allar-, Allar-, Allardyce", to the tune of Paradise, after we won the play offs). Coming back to Sam with our tail between our legs, after binning him off 2 and a half years ago, is about as GSB as you can get. Absolute circus.
Sam Allardyce out for revenge in Wear-Tyne derby new

---

But Welbeck came to his side's rescue this time around and equalized in the 91st minute, to recover a point for the currently 3rd placed team on the Premier League table. Those 7 points recovered by Arsenal from losing positions, have been crucial to their season and could see them achieve a higher position than the usual 4th. Suhith Kumar
Revealed! Top 11 clubs to have won the most points from

---

Mar 05, 2019 · Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Tottenham (agg: 0-4): Champions League last 16 - as it happened Spurs survived a first half onslaught before crushing Dortmund's hopes with a Harry Kane strike early in
Harry Kane strike gives Spurs emphatic Champions League

---

Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Luka Jovic from Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt on a six-year contract, the club announced on Tuesday. Real Madrid have made an official announcement to
Real Madrid sign Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt

---

'I'm very happy here': Riyad Mahrez determined to establish himself with champions Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez eager to secure regular starting berth for Manchester City; Winger started only 14
Riyad Mahrez happy at Manchester City and determined to

---

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri happy with midfielder's impact 'from a tactical point of view' Loftus-Cheek was a second-half goalscorer as Chelsea secured a 2-0 win against
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri happy with

---