Former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has quit his coaching deal as the coach of Dalian Professional in China after 18 months in charge.
The 60-year-old former Newcastle United, Liverpool and Chelsea boss had a season remaining on his deal but has decided to end the deal. The Spaniard and his coaching staff have stepped down due to the recent increase coronavirus cases in the China.
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According to Rafael Benitez, he said: “Unfortunately, like so many things in the last year, Covid-19 has changed our lives and our projects.” He also said: “The pandemic is still here, for all of us, and supporting our families has been a priority when making this decision.”
Dalian narrowly avoided dropping out of the division in the 2020 season. They finished 12th after a series of relegation play-offs. Rafael Benitez said: “We have tried to learn and understand a new culture and also to transmit a more professional, more European vision of football.”
Benitez met has been able to raise an academy to a competitive side and to that’s he said he is both him and his coaching staffs have left a structure and a methodology that will allow the project to go ahead successfully.
Since his arrival the first team has been rejuvenated and the foundations have been laid for the future, from the grassroots schools to the top. He concluded by saying: “I say goodbye sadly under these circumstances but, at the same time, I am convinced that the future will be bright.”