Reports earlier this week claimed that Rafael Benitez would be unveiled as the new manager of Real Madrid on Wednesday, and the rumours have proved correct, as the Spanish giants have confirmed his arrival with a press conference to take place this afternoon.
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Since Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed at the end of the season following a trophy-less campaign in Madrid, and Benitez revealed that he would be leaving Napoli after their final Serie A game [via Sky Sports], the former Liverpool boss has been heavily linked with the position at the Santiago Bernabeu [via The Independent].
And his position with Los Blancos has now been confirmed:
Comunicado Oficial: Rafa Benítez. http://t.co/sIV8bPJ2hs #BienvenidoalRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/y8AaOXW8Ay
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) June 3, 2015
The official statement on the Spanish giants’ website read:
‘Real Madrid CF today presented Wednesday, June 3, Rafa Benitez as the new coach of the first team for the next three seasons.
The event will take place at 13:00 pm in the Royal Box Bernabeu. Then Rafa Benitez will appear before the media in the press room.’
Despite winning the UEFA Champions League, the Copa del Rey, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup during his two seasons with Los Blancos, Real president Florentino Perez was unforgiving over Carlo Ancelotti managing a superstar side that didn’t deliver silverware in the 2014-15 campaign.
Rafael Benitez already has two La Liga trophies on his CV during his three year spell with Valencia from 2001 to 2004, and has previously coached Real’s Under-19s from 1993 to 1995.