Celtic managerial candidate has already turned down one job – Difficult for Bhoys to convince him

Now that Neil Lennon has resigned from his job at Celtic, the Parkhead residents are looking for a new manager.

Many names are already doing the rounds for the Celtic position, including that of Rafa Benítez, currently without a team after leaving his position at DL Pro in China.

The former Newcastle United manager is a wanted man, with him also being touted for a return to both St James’ Park and Napoli, such is the legacy he left at both clubs during his time there.

The problem with all involved, however, including Celtic, is that Benítez would rather wait than jump straight back into a role.

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This is according to Gazzetta dello Sport, relayed by Area Napoli, who report it from the Napoli angle, claiming that Aurelio de Laurentiis has already reached out to the Spaniard, who told him: “Thank you for the interest, but I’m not ready to return right now in the middle of the season.”

That, to us, will also apply to both Celtic and Newcastle, meaning that if this is true, there is little chance of either club getting their man before the end of the current campaign.

If they can hold out until then, then perhaps Benítez will agree to a move.

For Newcastle, that will mean avoiding relegation, while Celtic will simply have to see the season out with little left to play for, currently 18 points behind Rangers.