Rafael Benitez: "I have a lot of respect for Everton"

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that it would be hard for him to take over the soon-to-be vacant post at Everton.

The Spaniard will be out of a job in the summer when his short-term stay at Chelsea comes to an end, while the Toffees are searching for a successor to David Moyes.

However, the 53-year-old believes that his six-year stint at Anfield would make it difficult for both parties to come to an arrangement.

"I have a lot of respect for Everton," Benitez told talkSPORT. "They have done a great job in the last year, and you have to give credit to them.

"Still, I think it would be quite difficult for them to approach me and maybe even for me to go there."

When asked about his future, Benitez said that he is keen to stay in the Premier League.

"England is my priority because my family is here, but there are not too many top sides so there could be two different options," he added.

"It could be a project where you could build something for the future or it could be a top side where you could compete straight away for trophies, so we will see.

"I just have to wait for offers. I have my job, my agent has his job and it's time now to relax at the end of the season and see what happens."

Benitez won his second Europa League title as a manager when Chelsea defeated Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday.