Benitez open to Scotland job - what would he bring and is he affordable?
Retold by Oddsrama · 9 July 2026
Rafael Benitez has thrown his hat in the ring for the Scotland job, emerging as the most recognizable name yet to publicly express interest in replacing Steve Clarke. The veteran Spanish tactician, who guided Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League final and won La Liga twice with Valencia, watched Scotland's underwhelming World Cup campaign this summer and reckons he understands what the national team needs. Speaking on TalkSport, the 66-year-old made clear he's "open to the challenge" of international management — though he stopped short of a firm commitment, insisting he would need "the tools" to succeed.
Benitez brings serious pedigree to the conversation. His reputation rests largely on defensive mastery and tactical discipline, qualities that Liverpool icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have repeatedly praised. In international football, where preparation time is limited and complex attacking patterns are hard to drill, that defensive foundation could be valuable. Scotland managed just three points from their group in Qatar, bowing out after defeats to Morocco and Brazil, so shoring things up at the back might be exactly what the Tartan Army needs. His recent spell at Panathinaikos ended after seven months, but his broader record shows he can make an impact quickly.
Here's the catch: money. Benitez was reportedly earning over £3 million annually in Greece — a record for the Super League. Steve Clarke pocketed roughly £500,000 per year in the Scotland role. The Scottish FA simply doesn't operate at that level, and bringing in a manager of Benitez's stature would require resources the national body is unlikely to muster. For betting purposes, this is a name that sounds good on paper but may never actually materialize. Unless the SFA finds fresh funding or Benitez dramatically scales back his wage demands, the Spaniard will remain more fantasy than reality.
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