Rafa Benitez leaves Dalian Pro, linked to Celtic
- Former Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea boss leaves Chinese Super League club by mutual consent over Covid-19
- Uefa Champions League winning coach guided CSL side to 12th place finish last season, staying up despite winning only three games
“Unfortunately, like so many things in the last year, Covid-19 has changed our lives and our projects,” Benitez wrote. “From today, both my coaching staff and I will sadly no longer be coaching Dalian Professional FC.”
Benitez described it as an “incredible experience”, thanking all of his staff for their “magnificent effort”.
Benitez was earning a reported £12 million (US$16.4 million) per year at the Chinese club, which is bankrolled by Wanda Group.
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“This club has all the components that we were looking for to start a new chapter with the maximum motivation,” Benitez wrote on his website on his arrival at the CSL side.
“Among the directors of the club I have found people who value my track record, such as the chairman of the Wanda Group, Mr Wang, who is keen to grow this club as much as possible, develop a tremendous project and support this growth with all the necessary resources.
“We share the same ambition of developing a great project here and leave a legacy in Dalian.”
“I have had offers of greater financial significance during my career, but they weren’t the project I was looking for. What I have found at Dalian is an incredible project that has arrived at the perfect time and this has been a major factor in my decision.
“We’ve accepted the challenge of leading a superb project with the full backing and confidence of the club’s leadership team.”
Dalian finished ninth in the 2019 CSL and 12th last season, which was played in bubbles in Dalian and Suzhou. The club were seventh in their eight-team group, winning only two of 14 games, and moved to the relegation play-offs.
Rafa Benitez escapes relegation in China after only three CSL wins
Benitez’s side beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 3-2 over two legs to secure their top flight status with only three wins, eventually finishing the season in 12th place.
The former Chelsea boss has already been linked with a move to Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic, where he would replace Neil Lennon, according to reports in British media.
“Behind us, in China, and especially in Dalian, we are leaving many friends and good memories in a great city with very knowledgeable fans. We have tried to learn and understand a new culture and also to transmit a more professional, more European vision of football with a new methodology,” Benitez wrote on his departure.
“I’m convinced we have left a structure and a methodology that will allow the project to go ahead successfully. The first team has been rejuvenated and the foundations have been laid for the future, from the grass roots schools to the top.
“I say goodbye sadly under these circumstances, but at the same time I am convinced that the future will be bright for Dalian Pro FC.”
