BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly set to move to China to take charge of Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, after the departure of Choi Kang-hee.
Sky Sports reported that the 59-year-old Spaniard has agreed a contract with Dalian which doubles the six million pounds a year he earned at St James's Park, and will be introduced as the new boss on Tuesday.
Dalian announced late Monday that Choi had stepped down as head coach, citing personal reasons. His departure paves the way for Benitez, who had been linked to the Chinese side since announcing his intention to leave Newcastle when his contract expired last month.
Dalian are currently ranked 10th of 16 teams in the Chinese top flight with 17 points, 22 behind pacesetters Beijing Guoan.
Benitez, who led Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League in 2005, succeeded Steve McClaren as Newcastle boss in March 2016.
After failing to prevent the Magpies from being relegated in 2015/16, he guided them back to the Premier League at the first attempt and has since won plaudits for establishing the side in the top flight on a meager budget.
However, the Spaniard was known to be frustrated with owner Mike Ashley's refusal to invest further in the team, and in an open letter to fans published on Monday, wrote that "those at the top of the club did not share the same vision [as me]"
Newcastle finished 13th in the 2018/19 Premier League.
