Real Madrid have announced former Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli boss Rafael Benitez has signed a three-year deal to take charge of Los Blancos.
Reports from Spain are saying the new head coach will have a big say in the summer’s transfer negotiations.
People have taken to social media to complain about the new manager, pointing out that Benitez failed to get Napoli a Champions League spot in his second season in charge.
Many wondered why the replacement wasn’t Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane, who currently is involved in Madrid’s youth set-up.
But the real question is why was Carlo Ancelotti sacked in the first place?
While he won La Decima and Copa Del Rey last season, and this season he won nothing, two points off first isn’t all that bad, and being knocked out of Copa Del Rey wasn’t that disappointing as Madrid were not in a position to compete for the treble.
The major disappointment this season was that Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage, in a game they should have won.
But it doesn’t matter if you’re Real Madrid or Celtic, winning the Champions League is no easy feat.
Ancelotti’s contract termination may not have been due to impossibly high standards, but because he failed to win at least one trophy.
The La Liga is always a fight between Spain’s two best clubs, and I don’t see Rafa Benitez bringing Madrid glory any time soon.
Steve
Guest
Ancelotti was not that great for Real in his first season. He won the CL by being bailed out by Ramos in the added time. You say La Liga is a two horse race and yet Real finished third last season. His record against the top teams this season is quite poor. Often his team selections are just bizarre. Ramos in midfield against Juventus? Is he better than Benitez? Probably. But given his poor league record (3 titles in 20 years managing the biggest clubs in the world), I can understand. Sure he has a relatively good UCL record, but it takes quite a bit of luck to win those, and I don't think you can rely on a coaches UCL record. Even Mourinho and Pep, who have better UCL conversions, have only won the trophy once every five seasons.