Football
AS.com and ESPN staff 9y

Real Madrid VP lets it slip Rafael Benitez will be their new manager

Real Madrid vice-president Eduardo Fernandez de Blas has dropped the clearest indication yet that Rafael Benitez will be confirmed as the club's new head coach in the coming days.

Carlo Ancelotti left the club last week after failing to follow up the successes of last season, when Los Blancos won the Champions League.

Benitez has already confirmed that he will leave Napoli after their final Serie A game against Lazio on Sunday night, with the club needing a win to earn Champions League football for next season,

AS reported that De Blas, speaking at a club event on Saturday evening, said: "I'll tell you one thing, Carlo Ancelotti is a real phenomenon. We give our thanks to him.

"Until three days ago, he was, for me, the best coach in the world, just as two years ago it was Jose Mourinho, and as from this week it will be Rafa Benitez."

De Blas was heckled during his speech by fans angry at Ancelotti's sacking and the form of Gareth Bale.

Whilst De Blas spoke, a club member interrupted him stating: "You've sacked the best coach!" De Blas replied: "He was an exceptional coach, a gentleman and a person I'm very fond of and that is something shared by most Madrid fans..."

The club member wasn't happy with this reason and replied: "So, then why sack him?".  De Blas, more relaxed, finished his speech: "I'm looking forward to July 30 when we see the best 30 players in the world at the disposition of the best coach in the world...".

Benitez has been described as being "99 percent" certain to be the next Real coach by Ancelotti's representative Ernesto Bronzetti.

Bronzetti fully expects the 55-year-old Benitez, who started his managerial career with Real's reserve side, to become the club's 13th coach since 2003.

Aside from Benitez, the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Michel and Unai Emery have been linked with the Real post.

The Madrid-born boss has previously spoken of his wish to manage Los Blancos, calling the club his "sweetheart" while he was in interim charge of Chelsea in 2013.

Perez said at a news conference last Monday night to announce Ancelotti's departure: "Next week, we will know the name of the new manager of Real Madrid.

"With our great team, talent and hard work, we will be able to give satisfaction and happiness to our fans and our members."

^ Back to Top ^