"The priority is England," Benitez said. "Because I think that the way that I work as a manager is suited to the Premier League.
"I have had two or three phone calls from different agents telling me about teams in different countries making big money offers. Not the same level of league as the Premier League, but big money.
"The main things has to be, if possible, is they have to be a competitive team, a team which can win competitions, whether that be a cup competition or a league, Europe, whatever. I talked with my staff and we analysed the structure of the teams, the average age of their players and the possibilities of investment in the club in the future."
Benitez managed Liverpool from 2004-2010 and led the club to its fifth European Championship in 2005. He joined the Reds from Spanish club Valencia, where he won two La Liga Championships and a UEFA Cup. The Reds' second place finish in 2009 saw him sign a new contract that year, but his relationship with LFC and its owners deteriorated soon after that.
Liverpool fired him after a 7th place finish in 2010. His next stop was at Italian powers Inter Milan, replacing Jose Mourinho after a treble-winning season. His ill-fated Italian adventure lasted only six months, as he clashed with ownership and failed to win the backing of veteran players.
"When you have professionals they understand that you have to push to try and improve the club," he said of his fallouts. "It’s normal when you are in charge and you want to compete. You have to push the people in charge."
The Spaniard's criteria for his next job leaves few options. Manchester United and Liverpool have entrenched club icons leading their efforts. The young, but savvy, Andre Villas-Boas is in his first year as Chelsea manager and could be there for a long time. Arsenal's owner says Arsene Wenger will keep his job as long as he wants, regardless of recent results.
Manchester City's situation is an interesting one, as manager Roberto Mancini has a serious problem with star forward Carlos Tevez. It will almost certainly see one of them (probably Tevez) leave the club in the near future.
That leaves Tottenham Hotspur as his likely destination. Harry Redknapp is the odds-on favorite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager when the Italian leaves the post next summer after Euro 2012. Benitez could inherit a club with talented players and financial resources to push the other big clubs for honors.
The right opportunity has not presented itself to the 51-year-old traveller, but things change very quickly in soccer. Whatever comes his way, Benitez and his trusted staff will be ready to take on the challenge.
He said, "There are not too many options at the moment, which is the problem, so we have to keep working so that we are ready if that moment comes."
Photo courtesy of Flickr/Phil Hoare
