Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly the favourite to become the next Coach of Real Sociedad.
According to Marca, Benitez has moved to the top of La Real’s wishlist after sporting director Roberto Olabe failed to reach an agreement with Eibar boss Jose Luis Mendilibar.
The newspaper explains the former Valencia and Real Madrid man would be interested in a return to La Liga but would only negotiate with the Basques once the season is out.
However, it is said Newcastle are loath to lose the 57-year-old, given he looks to have kept them in the Premier League, despite his reign being plagued by problems with recruitment.
Benitez led Valencia to two Liga titles between 2002 and 2004, won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and coached Madrid for the first half of 2015-16.
La Real, who sacked Eusebio Sacristan last month, are down in 15th after winning just one of their previous six games and host high-flying Girona on Sunday.
