Rafa Benitez reveals Premier League 'offers' at Newcastle United

Benitez left the club in the summer after failing to agree a new deal at the club. The 59-year-old – who took over at Dalian Yifang after his contract expired – has been linked with the managerial vacancies at Arsenal and Everton.

Asked if he should have waited for a Premier League job in the summer, Benitez told The Athletic: “I had this experience. When I left Inter Milan, I had some teams asking at this time.

“Even last year when I was in Newcastle I had some offers from the Premier League. When I left, I decided that I wanted to keep working. I didn’t want to wait. It was a big project, a great option. I was happy with that.”

Asked if he would one day return to manage in England, he added: “In the future, for sure.”