The odds have been slashed for the Newcastle manager to take over La Furia Roja.

Former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly on the Spanish FA's radar to take over the national team. The 2010 World Cup winners are looking to put their house in order after a rather disappointing spell at Russia 2018 saw them crashing out of the tournament at the Round of 16 stage.

The side's inability to progress farther at the competition is partly blamed on the fact that then head coach Julen Lopetegui was fired two days prior to their opening group game against Portugal after he agreed to take over Real Madrid at the end of the tournament. The decision, in turn, backfired with caretaker coach Fernando Hierro underachieving with one of the best squads at Russia 2018.

According to Express UK, Rafa Benitez has been shortlisted among a host of others for the role to permanently take over the reins. Head coach of the Belgium national team Roberto Martinez, ex-Watford and Espanyol manager Quique Sanchez Flores, as well as former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique are all said to be on the shortlist although Mr. Benitez seems like the most viable candidate at the moment.