Benitez is bemused by the England debate

"People talk about who will be the next national manager and for me he is a very good option," said Benitez.

"You try to teach your players the right things. He is a good manager and his team play good attacking football.

"Curbishley is what I call a 'normal' manager of a club, he works hard all the time. He is clever and prepares his players very well."

Benitez, whose Liverpool side face the Addicks at The Valley on Wednesday, also criticised the debate that has ensued after current England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson announced he would step down from his post after the World Cup.

"I do not like to talk a lot about the England position because I have respect for the man who is doing the job," he added.

If you talk about the position before the event it is not the best thing for the team Reds boss Rafa Benitez

"Some people talk and promote themselves. But for me, England have a very good team and it is the decision of the FA now.

"In Spain it would depend on who was available. But we would not talk three or four months ahead of a major competition about such things.

"We would wait until after a competition to talk about such things. But to talk now so many months ahead of a competition shows no respect for the current manager.

"You must think about the team and winning the World Cup. If you talk about the position before the event it is not the best thing for the team."

A number of names have been linked with the position, including Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, Australia and PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink, Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren and former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill.