Rafael Benitez likely to become Real Madrid manager

Ex-Liverpool FC boss Rafael Benitez is likely to be named as the manager of the Spanish team Real Madrid manager today.

The 55-year-old has ended a two-year stint with the Italian football team Napoli following a 4-2 home defeat by Lazio on Sunday.

The BBC quoted Benitez, as saying upon his arrival in Madrid, that there were still some issues to be ironed out with the Real Madrid management before him taking formal charge of the squad.

Madrid-born Benitez will replace Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked last week just a year after winning the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

Spaniard Benitez will arrive at the Bernabeu with plenty of European pedigree, having won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, Uefa Cup with Valencia in 2004 and the Europa League while interim manager at Chelsea two years ago.

Benitez started his coaching career with Real's youth squad but it was with Valencia that he made his name. He led them to two La Liga titles before leaving for Liverpool, where he also won the FA Cup and Uefa Super Cup.

After ending a six-year stay at Liverpool he moved on to Inter Milan but was sacked just three months into the 2010-11 season. He bounced back by leading Chelsea to the Europa League title in the 2012-13 campaign before joining Napoli.

The Spaniard then guided the Italian side to the Coppa Italia in his first season in charge, but the loss to Lazio meant the club finished fifth in Serie A and did not qualify for the Champions League.