Talking Tactics: Rafael Benitez brings experience to new club Celta Vigo

Rafael Benitez has returned to Spain and will be targeting success with Celta Vigo next season. 

It is the 63-year-old's first time managing in his home nation since lasting just seven months at Real Madrid in 2015-16. 

He has replaced Carlos Carvalhal, who led Celta to survival and a 13th-place finish last term after securing a final day 2-1 victory over champions Barcelona. 

As Los Celestes continue their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign, we take a look at what Benitez will bring to Balaidos.

Benitez made his name during an extraordinary spell at Valencia in which they won LaLiga twice and lifted the UEFA Cup. 

In fact, he remains the last manager to win the Spanish top flight with a team other than Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid. 

He then led Liverpool to a famous Champions League victory in 2005 and went on to claim silverware at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli. 

His time as Los Blancos boss was less successful, however, as was his most recent stint at Everton, with the Spaniard failing to see out a full season at either club.

Benitez has been keen to defend his time as Real Madrid manager, suggesting his dismissal was not justified. 

He said: "We were first in the Champions League [group]. Real Madrid won the Champions League title that year and we did our job. 

"When I left, we were just two points behind Barcelona with a game at hand. Two months later, that gap increased to 12 points." 

There is no doubt that the veteran tactician will be out to prove a point now that he is back in Spain.

The last full season the Madrid native oversaw in one of Europe's top five leagues was at Newcastle in 2018-19 — and the Magpies bore all the hallmarks of a typical Benitez team. 

They led the Premier League that year for