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Newcastle news: Spain target Rafa Benitez to be next long-term boss
SPAIN have made Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez a target as they look to clean up their managerial mess.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager is on the shortlist to succeed Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked on the eve of the World Cup.
The Spanish FA dispensed with Lopetegui when they discovered he would quit at the end of the tournament to succeed Zinedine Zidane at Real.
That move is generally regarded as having backfired, as Spain underachieved in Russia and failed to reach the quarter-finals.
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Fernando Hierro was made caretaker manager for the World Cup but his chances of being offered the job have been hit by their defeat to the hosts on penalties.
Also being linked with the job are Belgium’s Spanish boss Roberto Martinez and Quique Sanchez Flores, who is available after spells at Watford and Espanyol.
A more attractive alternative looks to be Luis Enrique, who was a target for both Arsenal and Chelsea after leaving Barcelona.