Real Madrid will finish the season trophy-less having exited the Champions League at the semi-final stage, and failed in their bid to pip Barcelona to the La Liga title with their fierce rivals clinching the prize last weekend.
As a result, boss Carlo Ancelotti could be the first to face the axe at the end of the season with president Florentino Perez renown for his harsh decisions on the futures of players and staff at the Santiago Bernabeu after finishing a campaign empty-handed.
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Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, who is pretty spot on when predicting business in the football market, claims that the Spanish giants have expressed strong interested in Napoli manager Rafael Benitez – who is expected to leave the Stadio San Paolo in the summer.
Recent reports revealed that Premier League outfit West Ham United had made official contact with the Spaniard to replace Sam Allardyce, and Liverpool and Manchester City have also been keen.
However, the former Liverpool boss has declined their advances – and could be set for a much, much bigger managerial position.
Los Blancos, according to Di Marzio, are a step ahead of their rivals; having reached ‘advanced’ negotiations over him replacing Ancelotti in the Real dug-out.
The Italian journalist wrote, ‘Real is ahead in negotiations. The negotiation between the parties is advanced, the contacts are continuing: and so Rafa Benitez is Ancelotti’s successor? Real Madrid’s chairman, Florentino Perez, is seriously thinking about him, he’s ready to make a revolution after this season.’