The Spanish coach has been out of the game since leaving La Liga side Celta Vigo in March and has revealed that he wants to coach in England at a club where he can compete for top honours.

Benitez told the 'Stick to Football' podcast: "I'm thinking about taking a job in the Premier League. That's not easy because I had offers, trust me, I had five or six offers from teams at the bottom of the table.

"I'm realistic. I have the passion, I have the knowledge, I have the experience so I can make a difference. And the methodology, I like to be on the pitch coaching players and improving players, little things. Anthony Gordon (from his time at Everton) is one of the examples, so we can improve players and make things happen."

Benitez acknowledges that his options in the Premier League are limited because of his past coaching roles at Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton.

He said: "There are not too many. Manchester United will not come for me, Chelsea will not come for me. So, there are teams that I will not coach because they will not come for me.

"Then, the teams at the middle of the table, bottom of the table, they start firing managers and then you have to make a decision."

The coach revealed that he has had offers to take on international sides but is only interested in leading nations that are capable of winning tournaments.

He said: "Internationals, you play qualifies for the World Cup, qualifies for the Euros, and in 50 per cent of the games, you'll win with a cigarette (in your mouth).

"Because you're a top side, and you play against Malta, Luxembourg or Andorra. Half of the games, you win with a cigarette.

"So, some of the national teams that were offered to me – or that I didn't push – they want to qualify. I said, 'It's not enough'. I want to compete for winning."