Richard Keys has took an extraordinary swipe at former Everton boss Rafael Benitez after he reportedly put his name forward to become the new Leicester manager if Brendan Rodgers is sacked.
The Northern Irishman is under increased pressure following the Foxes' disastrous start to the season, with Leicester currently rock bottom having picked up just one point from a possible 21 available. In actual fact, no side has conceded more goals from their first seven matches than the Foxes in Premier League history (22).
Although the Foxes have already played four of last season's top-six, they are in serious trouble of being dragged into a relegation battle if their form does not improve. Leicester do face Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Wolves immediately after the international break - a block of five fixtures where the club has to pick up points - and quickly.
In the meantime, Benitez has offered his name in the hat if the Leicester jobs comes available, as per Keys. The Spaniard was sacked from his position at Everton back in January with the Toffees languishing just above the relegation zone after losing to Norwich.
There were some questions marks raised when Benitez was given the job back in summer 2021 due to his allegiances with Liverpool across the city. The former Sky Sports presenter believes that Leicester shouldn't pursue Benitez because of the reputation he's built.
He said in his blog : "At the time of writing there isn’t a vacancy [at Leicester], but that hasn’t stopped good old Rafa getting busy. My friends at Leicester tell me he’s already made himself available should Rodgers get the sack. It wouldn’t be the first time an out of work manager has smelt blood and got busy - but come on. After the shambles Benitez left at Everton - he should crawl away and keep quiet. But oh no - not Rafa.
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"Not for the first time he’s blaming everyone else for what happened at Goodison. He’s opened up on his ‘struggles’. How brave of him. ‘I couldn’t do it because I was a red’ he’s said. Is this guy for real? Does he want us to feel sorry for him. His ‘struggles’? Really? Was he the victim then?
"No. Here’s the truth. He wanted the job at Everton for years. It was a nice one for him because he lives on Merseyside. Remember what he told us when he finally got it - that he felt he was doing something for the ‘people of Merseyside’. Pass the sick bag. He also got it at the wrong time. If he’d been available he’d have got the Newcastle job back. Oh how that must haunt him. Shame."
"Why has Benitez started talking again now? Has it anything to do with putting himself back in the market?
"Benitez is a busted flush. If I’m a Leicester fan I don’t want him anywhere near my club. Vardy might be getting on a bit - but he’s still better than Rondon."
