REAL MADRID are this week expected to confirm Rafa Benitez as their latest manager.
The former Liverpool boss was with Napoli last season and despite enjoying limited success with the club, they lost to Juventus in the Italian Cup Final, football's biggest name want him to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who was fired by president Florentino Perez on Monday night after a season of no trophies and more Barcelona dominance.
Madrid-born Benitez, a previous youth and assistant coach at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, had been in talks with West Ham United about a return to English football, but the call for the team he always supported was never going to be ignored by the 55-year-old.
"Rafa Benitez is 99 percent Real Madrid coach," said his Anceloti's agent, Erensto Bronzetti, who revealed his client was going to take a year off.
Perez, not a man known for his patience, wielded the axe despite Anceloti retaining support from many in the Real squad including Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric.
Last week. Ronaldo tweeted a picture of himself and the Italian with the message; "Great coach and amazing person. Hope we work together next season."
Bentiez must find a way of controlling a dressing room full of egos but one that fell short both domestically and in the Champions League.
One of his priorities will be to find a solution to the Gareth Bale problem. The Welshman lost both form and confidence towards the end of the season and there is a chance he will be sold back to a Premier League club in the summer.
Another problem is Benitez himself. He has not won a League title since 2004, with Valenica and his last Champions League success was in 2005 while at Liverpool.
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