‘We want Rafa’

MUNICH — Rafa Benitez will be offered the chance to join Germany’s footballing renaissance next season, with Schalke chasing him as their No 1 choice to be new manager.

Benitez, who took on arch-rival Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford yesterday as Chelsea continue in their quest to qualify for the Champions League, is the leading contender to take over at the Bundesliga club.

With the current ascendancy of Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, who will contest the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25, Germany is now an increasingly attractive option for managers.

This story is for NewsDay subscribers.