[Saba Sports News] Ahead of the UEFA Europa League clash between Panathinaikos and Roma, Panathinaikos manager and Spanish football legend Rafael Benitez sat down for a media interview, where he dropped a bombshell by disclosing that Roma had once approached him with an offer to manage the club. Benitez stated that the invitation from Roma came during his coaching stints at Inter Milan and Napoli. He added that he has a great affection for Italy, and a top club like Roma holds immense appeal for any coach in the game. He admitted to having enjoyed his time at both Inter Milan and Napoli, and expressed that he was flattered by Roma’s interest, confirming that there was indeed a real possibility of him taking the helm at the Giallorossi back then. However, Benitez did not reveal the reasons behind his eventual rejection of the offer.
It is a pity that this potential partnership never came to fruition, for both Benitez and Roma alike. Though he never got the chance to manage Roma, Benitez laid a solid tactical foundation during his time at Napoli, planting the seeds for the club’s subsequent rise to prominence. This unfulfilled connection has since become a somewhat regretful little episode in the story of Benitez’s ties with Italian football.