Jan 23 (Reuters) - Rafa Benitez has left Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro, with the Spaniard saying on Saturday that the COVID-19 pandemic was a factor in his decision.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid head coach was hired on a lucrative contract worth a reported 12 million pounds ($16 million) per year after he left Newcastle United in 2019.
"Unfortunately, like so many things in the last year, COVID-19 has changed our lives and our projects. From today, both my coaching staff and I will sadly no longer be coaching Dalian," Benitez said in a statement.
"The pandemic is still here, for all of us, and supporting our families has been a priority when making this decision."
Dalian failed to qualify for the Super League's Championship stage last season, which was affected by the pandemic, finishing seventh in their eight-team group. But they secured their top flight status in the relegation playoffs.
Benitez said he hoped he had left behind a vision for the club to build on.
"I'm convinced we have left a structure and a methodology that will allow the project to go ahead successfully," the 60-year-old said.
"The first team has been rejuvenated and the foundations have been laid for the future, from the grassroots schools to the top." ($1 = 0.7308 pounds) (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)