Real Madrid Confirm Rafa Benitez As Manager

Real Madrid have confirmed Rafa Benitez as their new manager with the Spaniard signing a three-year deal.

The 55-year-old left Napoli when his contract expired at the end of this season after the Italian club finished fifth in Serie A.

He will be presented as Madrid boss at a press conference on Wednesday and has embarked on a tour of the club's Valdebebas training ground.

Benitez was greeted at his new headquarters by Zinedine Zidane, who is the current coach of Real Madrid's B side and was shown to his new office, which he unlocked through fingerprint ID.

Benitez succeeds Carlo Ancelotti, who Madrid parted company with after a season without winning a major trophy.

The Italian took Madrid to their 10th European triumph with Champions League glory in 2014 but they have played second fiddle to rivals Barcelona in Spain this season.

Benitez started his coaching career at the Santiago Bernabeu as B-team manager from 1993 until 1995 and returns after 20 years away.

Barca's dominance in Spain and across Europe is what Benitez will have to overturn, as well as getting the best form out of £86million world-record signing Gareth Bale.

Benitez is a two-time La Liga winner with Valencia, in 2002 and 2004, when he also lifted the UEFA Cup.

It was this success, alongside a reputation for meticulous preparation for games and detailed tactical knowledge, that caught the attention of Liverpool, who brought him to Anfield in 2004 to replace Gerard Houllier.