Benitez in the running to replace Spain coach Lopetegui

Spain will reportedly consider Rafa Benitez as their next coach following the announcement that Julen Lopetegui will join Real Madrid next month.

Real announced yesterday that Lopetegui would succeed Zinedine Zidane on a three-year contract on conclusion of the World Cup.

The head of the Spanish FA Luis Rubiales though is said by numerous outlets to be unhappy with the announcement on the eve of the tournament.

The deal has emerged just three weeks after the national team boss had put pen to paper on a new contract through to 2020.

Spain are now on the hunt for a new boss, just days before they open their World Cup against Portugal on Friday.

And the Daily Express report that Newcastle boss  Benitez will be under serious consideration.

Benitez, 58, was linked with the role before Lopetegui was handed the job in 2016.

Benitez, who signed a three-year contract when he took the Newcastle job in March 2016, will be entering the final year of his contract and he spoke of the national team job in October.

“If I do well here, then maybe. If not, the national team won’t happen,” he told Marca in October.