Rafa Benítez planning on Premier League return | OneFootball

Though Rafa Benítez is thrilled to see Newcastle thriving under Steve Bruce, he feels that it’s not fair to compare the current side to his former teams.

The current Dalian Yifang boss left over the summer as he and Mike Ashley could not come to terms on a new deal, but has admitted he plans to return to the Premier League once his contract expires in 2021.

“I think when you talk about my Newcastle or my Liverpool, you cannot compare them with these teams now,” Benitez told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily.

“It is totally different, the time is different, the league is different, but both are doing well.

“Newcastle United, I will say after we were promoted and had two years in the Premier League, they are doing well.

“We finished, some people don’t remember, but we finished really well when we signed Miguel Almiron. We finished seventh in the second half of the league if you just take the second part of the league.

“Now, it is a new team, a new manager and they have spent some money. I think he [Steve Bruce] is doing well.

“People try to compare every year and it is totally different. I am happy because both teams are doing well but I follow all the Premier League, it is not just these two teams.

“Obviously my idea in the future will be the Premier League,” he replied. “Then I want to stay close to my family. It is a league I like a lot.”

Since taking over for Dalian Yifang, he’s led them to six wins, two draws, and six defeats in 14 matches to take them up to ninth place in the CSL