{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Celtic told to 'forget Benitez' after Champions League winner delivers big update - McAvennie
Chris Wilder and Eddie Howe are much better options than Rafael Benitez after the Spanish manager made his position on the Celtic job known.
That is according to ex-Celtic star Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Benitez, 60, told The Times that the “priority is England” in his hunt for a new managerial position.
Wilder is the bookies’ favourite to take the reins at Celtic Park after his dismissal as Sheffield United boss last week.
Eddie Howe meanwhile has been without a job since being sacked by Bournemouth following their relegation to the Championship last season.
McAvennie lauded Wilder for his achievements with the Blades and insisted that Celtic would be better off with him or Howe over Benitez.
He told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs: “He [Wilder] is a good manager, no doubt about it.
“He’s taken an honest bunch of boys, worked on them and moulded them and led them through the divisions. Everyone thought they were a Championship team, then they got to the Premier League.
“Him and Eddie Howe’s credentials are second to none. Forget about Benitez. These guys have got good pedigree.
“Would he want to come up and go against Steven Gerrard? I think he would.”
Benitez last worked at Chinese side Dalian Pro and has a glittering CV having spent time with Liverpool, Inter Milan and Real Madrid among others.
Celtic have been without a manager since Neil Lennon’s resignation in February.
In other news, a top pundit had given his verdict after Jesse Marsch went public with his thoughts on taking over at Celtic.