Rafa Benitez wants to return to the Premier League

The 55-year-old Spaniard was recently dismissed by Real Madrid after a turbulent few months at the Santiago Bernabeu

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez (Getty)

Rafael Benitez is eager to manage in the Premier League again and has described securing a managerial role in England as a ‘priority’.

The 55-year-old, who was dismissed as head coach at Real Madrid in December, appeared as a pundit during BT Sport’s coverage of his former club’s Champions League round-of-16 first-leg victory over Roma.

Benitez enjoyed six years at Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, as well as a short spell as interim manager at Chelsea during the 2012/13 season.

The Spaniard is now keen to work in England again, as his family has been based here ever since his time at Anfield.

“I like the Premier League and it is a priority [to return there] because my family lives on the Wirral. But it is not easy because I have to watch every league just in case,” he said.

“But especially for my wife I'd like to return to management as she's telling me to ‘go coaching.’ After one month, it's fine with the wife and the children but obviously I'd like to be on the pitch.”

Despite wanting a swift return to management, Benitez admitted that he was unlikely to be in a dugout again until next season, given the European commitments of the continent’s top clubs.

“Now that you play Champions League and Europa League, nobody will change the manager,” he added. “So you have to wait and just see games, analyse tactics and try to improve [as a manager].”