May 31, 2015 15:58:10 UK
Real Madrid are set to appoint Rafael Benitez as successor to Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.
Benitez will leave his post as Napoli manager following their final game of the Serie A season on Sunday and Real Madrid vice-president Eduardo Fernandez de Bla on Saturday told a fans group that Benitez would be next incumbent in the Madrid hotseat.
Speaking at a Madrid fans’ meeting, Fernandez de Bla said: “Carlo Ancelotti is a phenomenon.
“He was the best coach in the world, just as Jose Mourinho was two years ago and, from this week, Benitez will be.”
Despite leading Real to tenth European Cup victory just 12 months ago, Ancelotti was told last week he had become surplus to requirements in the Spanish capital.
He was the best coach in the world, just as Jose Mourinho was two years ago and, from this week, Benitez will be.
Eduardo Fernandez de Bla
The Italian could only finish second to Barcelona in La Liga this season and his team failed to set up an El Clasico Champions League Final in Berlin when Juventus knocked them out at the semi final stage in the Bernabeu.
Benitez was rumoured to be the number one target for Real in the wake of Ancelotti’s departure and they now seem likely to get their man.
The 55-year-old Spaniard led Liverpool to the Champions League title in 2005 and won the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013 before joining Serie A club Napoli, where he won the Coppa Italia in 2014.
He is no stranger to La Liga having won two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup with Valencia between 2001 and 2004, while he also coached Madrid’s reserve side from 1993 to 1995.
Real Madrid are 2.50 to win La Liga next season with Barcelona 1.80 and Atletico Madrid 15.00.
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