Rafa the man?

It's still uncertain who will be sat in the seat of the home dugout in Anfield next season. Since Dalglish's dismissal, managers such as Pep Guardiola to Roberto Martinez have been linked with the vacant Liverpool job. More recently there have been reports suggesting ex-Chelsea boss, Andre Villas-Boas is set to have an interview with the Liverpool owners. Others propose Rafa is the favorite to take charge of the reds.

The Spaniard, who managed Liverpool from 2004 to 2010 has been linked heavily with an Anfield return.  During an interview with the BBC in February 2011, Rafa made it clear that he would love to return to manage Liverpool.

Rafa lifts the Champions
League trophy in 2005.

"To be manager of Liverpool Football Club, it's a dream," said Benitez. "If you said to me, in the future would you like to be manager [of LFC], for sure." (you can watch the rest of the video here.)

Despite ending his managerial career with the reds on a low, Rafa brought a lot of success to the club and left behind his own legacy. Benitez took charge in June 2004 after Houllier's reign came to an end. He was brought in by the current Anfield owner, David Moores on the back of La Liga and UEFA Cup triumph with Valencia.
In his first season with the reds, Rafa led the reds to the Champions League final where they completed 'the miracle of Istanbul' against a seemingly unbeatable AC Milan. The following four seasons saw reds win the FA Cup, reach another Champions League final and come the closest Liverpool have come to winning the Premier League finishing second to Manchester United in 08-09 when he delivered his famous 'facts' speech, a lot of which came during a political battle with 'cowboy' owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks.
 Despite the troubles the Madrid born manager brought in players which included Mascherano, Alonso, Agger, Skrtel, Reina, Lucas and Torres. All of which were or are vital to the first team.

It may be unclear who will end up getting the Liverpool job, but it's clear Rafael Benitez has unfinished business and surely deserves the chance to do so. Or is that too sentimental? Would it work second time round?