Friday 27 October 2017 23:18, UK
Rafael Benitez has played down talk that he could be the next Everton manager, insisting that he is concentrating on his job at Newcastle.
Speculation has been rife about who will replace Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park after he was sacked on Monday with the Toffees in the Premier League relegation zone.
Benitez managed Everton's bitter rivals Liverpool for six years, and his family still live in the area. He was also vocal in his unhappiness at Newcastle's lack of transfer activity in the summer.
However, Benitez brushed off the talk, saying: "I read in the press and heard people talking, but I am happy here. I am concentrating on this, I don't like to talk about rumours.
"The reality, obviously, is that my family is in Liverpool, but my past was Liverpool [Football Club]. Everton is a great club.
"I'm not saying I'm interested, I'm saying I'm happy here and want to concentrate on Newcastle and try to do my best here."
David Unsworth, previously the Everton under-23 manager, has been appointed as Koeman's successor on a temporary basis, but has stated that he wants the job permanently.
Benitez took charge of Newcastle's final 10 matches of the 2014/15 Premier League season, but could not keep them in the top flight.
However, he then guided them to promotion from the Championship last season, and has taken them to seventh place in the Premier League this term.
They take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Monday, live on Sky Sports from 7pm.
