This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
On July 2, 2019, Rafael Benitez, the Spanish manager who led Liverpool to the 2005 Uefa Champions League title, announced his departure from English club Newcastle United to join Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang.
"After a long path... We start a new challenge! I'm happy to begin this new project with Dalian Yifang," Benitez wrote on his verified Twitter account.
Benitez, 59, becomes the latest high-profile foreign manager to join the Chinese Super League, following in the footsteps of coaches like Luiz Felipe Scolari and Fabio Cannavaro.
Although unconfirmed, reports suggest Benitez was offered a lucrative contract worth £12 million ($15 million, Sh1.5 billion) per year by Dalian Yifang.
During his three-year tenure at Newcastle, Benitez led the club to promotion in his first full season and stabilized them in the Premier League over the past two years, earning him a reputation as a highly respected manager.
