Real Madrid appoint Rafael Benitez as new coach
Real Madrid has hired Rafa Benitez as its new coach to replace the fired Carlo Ancelotti.
The Spanish team says the 55-year-old Benitez has agreed to a three-year contract.
Benitez, who began his coaching career in Madrid’s youth academy, will return to the Spanish league where he led Valencia to two titles in 2002 and 2004 before joining Liverpool, where he won the 2005 Champions League.
Ancelotti guided Madrid to its 10th European Cup in 2014, but was let go after the team failed to win a major trophy this season.
Benitez is Madrid’s eighth coach in 10 years. He will be tasked with ending Madrid’s dismal record of one Spanish title in seven seasons despite counting on Cristiano Ronaldo and record revenues.
