Carlo Ancelotti is the man who led Real Madrid to a Spanish Super Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, a Copa del Rey, and most importantly, La Decima, their 10th Champions League success. All this in the space of two years sounds pretty good, but for Florentino Perez and the rest of the Real Madrid hierarchy this wasn’t enough. No La Liga title in the two years at the helm as well as being knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus this season clearly wasn’t found good enough by the men in charge. So who next for Los Blancos?

The main man in the headlights of the often vicious rumour mill is Rafa Benitez. The current Napoli and ex-Liverpool boss hasn’t had the season of dreams by any accounts. Brought in by Napoli chairman Aurelio de Laurentiis with the task of taking the Naples club to the “next level” hasn’t quite went to plan, with the club currently three points behind third placed Lazio. With le Aquile having a far superior goal difference, it effectively meaning all hopes of a Champions League campaign for Napoli in the 15/16 season is dead in the water.

A controversial chairman in de Laurentiis and an underperforming manager? An all too familiar situation. Not that by any means am is signal that Benitez could be relieved of his duties at the Stadio San Paolo, but with tensions perhaps greater than ever, would now be the right time for Rafa to go?

Growing up in a family dedicated to football in Madrid, Benitez will know all about the Spanish footballing mentality. His father was an Ateltico Madrid fan and his mother supported the other half of the Spanish capital, Los Merengues. Taken on by Real Madrid as a youngster, Benitez was also full of praise for his father who supported him throughout despite being described as an “emphasizer of the red and white mattress”. From 1974 to 1981 he played as a defender for Real Madrid Castilla. An independent side who in reality were Real Madrid B. Benítez was selected to play for the Spain U19’s at the World Student Games. In a game at this tournament versus Canada, he was on the wrong end of a poor tackle. The resulting injury meant his chances of making it at the very top level.

It is widely known what Rafa has won and where he’s been in life regarding coaching. Winning two La Liga’s and a UEFA Cup with Valencia. At Liverpool he won various domestic trophies, but the main eye-catching success was that night in Istanbul where he masterminded Liverpool to overturn a three goal first half deficit again Milan to win the Champions League in 2005. Since then he has won trophies for clubs in Italy and England.

Will he be the right man to please the Madridistas? One can not be too sure. Notoriously known for his tactical brilliance but often has been described as an advocate of “non-entertainment football”. Would this style of play fit in at the Bernabeu? Probably not in terms of fan and club expectations, but a counter attacking 4-2-3-1 formation is perfectly suited to the squad of players at his disposal. It’s worth noting that during his tenure at Valencia he was praised for his attacking style of play. Maybe he may just be willing to once again adjust his philosophy to suit the needs of the country he knows all to well.

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About the author
Josh  Smith
Radio co host. Football coach for Ajax at their Northern Irish Academy (Balon AOA). Will probably find me writing on most sites. Email - [email protected]