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Jonathan White

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has left Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro by mutual consent, he announced on his website.
The Spaniards who also managed Chelsea and Newcastle United in the English Premier League, cited the Covid-19 pandemic in a blog post entitled “Gracias, Dalian”, written on Saturday.
“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”.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Rafa Benitez (@rafabenitezrb)



The Uefa Champions League winner with Liverpool joined Dalian Yifang, as the club were then known, in July 2019 after leaving Newcastle United. He described the move to China as “an incredible project” where he wanted to “leave a legacy”.
Benitez was earning a reported £12 million (US$16.4 million) per year at the Chinese club, which is bankrolled by Wanda Group.
Questions surround Benitez move to ‘China’s Newcastle’
“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.

Rafa Benitez confirms he has parted ways with Dalian Pro. He took the helm in the summer of 2019. The club financed by Wanda Group ranked 9th and 11th (all 16 teams)in the two seasons under Rafa. After years of spending spree and a recent shrink, the last big coach leaves China. pic.twitter.com/JpQOMeG3Mn
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) January 23, 2021

“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.”


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Chinese Super League

Rafa Benitez leaves Dalian Pro, linked to Celtic

Rafael Benitez, head coach of Dalian Pro reacts during a 2019 Chinese Super League game. Photo: Xinhua

(190708) -- BEIJING, July 8, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Benitez (R), head coach of Dalian Yifang Football Club, reacts during the 2019 Chinese Football Association Super League in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

CSL: Rafa Benitez bottom as Beijing Guoan and Shanghai SIPG drop points

Rafael Benitez, head coach of Dalian Pro, watches a 2019 Chinese Super League. game. Photo: Xinhua

CSL: Rafa Benitez escapes relegation in China after only three wins for Dalian Pro

Rafa Benitez’s Dalian Pro avoided relegation after his team secured a 3-2 aggregate win over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright. Photo: Xinhua

(201017) -- DALIAN, Oct. 17, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Rafa Benitez, head coach of Dalian Pro, gestures during the 15th round match between Dalian Pro and Shijiazhuang Ever Bright at 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Odion Ighalo, Rafael Benitez and Chinese Super League foreigners may not return until October

Manchester United’s loan striker Odion Ighalo celebrates scoring for the club. He may have to return to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua. Photo: Reuters

Rafa Benitez takes swipe at Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley as he reflects on his first week in China

Rafael Benitez is photographed in the Dalian Yifang dugout. Photo: Xinhua

(190707) -- DALIAN, July 7, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Benitez (L), headcoach of Dalian Yifang Football Club reacts during the 2019 Chinese Football Association Super League in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

(190707) -- DALIAN, July 7, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Benitez, headcoach of Dalian Yifang Football Club reacts during the 2019 Chinese Football Association Super League in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Arsenal target Rafa Benitez rules out Premier League return in interview with Jamie Carragher

Rafael Benitez oversees his Dalian Yifang side in the Chinese Super League. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

China


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



Former Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea boss leaves Chinese Super League club by mutual consent over Covid-19.


Dalian Wanda Group