Rafa Benitez ‘wants English-style role at Real Madrid’

Rafa Benitez wants to have an ‘English-style’ set up at Real Madrid – should be become boss soon – according to reports in the Spanish press.

The former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea manager is thought to be next in line to take over at Real Madrid following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. Benitez’ current club have called a press conference for Thursday afternoon in which it is widely expected they will announce the Madrileno will be leaving his role after the Seria A season reaches its conclusion this weekend.

And according to AS, the soon-to-be Real boss, as reported by many of the major media outlets in the UK, Italy and Spain, say he wants full control of player recruitment, and the youth system – as is the norm in England.

AS also says Benitez, who was once a youth team coach at Los Blancos in the 1990s, wants to bring in many of his team from Napoli. This includes goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and analyst Antonio Gomez. Riccardo Bigon, currently the sporting director at the Italian outfit could also be recruited to oversee the youth set-up in the Spanish capital, reports suggest.

While no official word has been made by Real, it is thought they will confirm the Spaniard’s arrival next week.