Rafael Benitez's reign as Inter Milan coach ended in ignominy on Thursday when he left the European champions after just six months in charge having dared to question club owner Massimo Moratti's authority.
Spaniard Benitez left Napoli at the end of the season and takes over from Italian Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.
Napoli will not allow questions about coach Rafael Benitez's future at a news conference on Thursday amid widespread expectations the Spaniard is poised to replace the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Factbox on Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez, who confirmed on Wednesday he was leaving the club at the end of the season. He said he was unhappy with the actions of the board and the fans.
Liverpool's Spanish manager Rafael Benitez has agreed to a new four-year deal with the club
Former Inter Milan, Liverpool and Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez will return to Italy to take charge of Serie A club Napoli.
Alex Ferguson wasted little time renewing his old rivalry with Rafael Benitez on Friday when he branded the Spaniard "lucky" for walking into the manager's job at Chelsea.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has rebuffed calls from angry fans for him to step down and backed coach Rafael Benitez after Saturday's humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona in the La Liga 'El Clasico'.
Real Madrid football director Benito Floro said earlier this week that he wanted to sign the England midfielder.
The Liverpool manager hailed his rejuvenated team after they recorded the Champions League's biggest win by hammering Besiktas 8-0.
Former Chelsea players showed little sympathy for interim boss Rafael Benitez who said on Wednesday he was leaving the club at the end of the season and criticised the club's board and fans.
Interim manager Rafael Benitez was given a hostile welcome by Chelsea fans angry at Roberto Di Matteo's sacking when the Spaniard, serenaded with jeers, began his Stamford Bridge reign with a 0-0 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez paid tribute to the passion of his players and the roar of the Anfield crowd after beating Chelsea on penalties
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez accused his Manchester United counterpart Alex Ferguson of failing to shake hands before their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday in the latest chapter in their fractious relationship.
Rafa Benitez was named Inter Milan coach on Thursday, charged with the tough task of matching last season's stunning treble success under Jose Mourinho. Spaniard Benitez, who last week ended his six-year spell at Liverpool, has penned a two-year deal with the European, Serie A and Italian Cup champions.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez accused the Chelsea winger of histrionics during their league clash.
The new deal will keep the Spaniard at Anfield for another four years until 2010.
Confusion continued to reign over the future of Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez on Tuesday after club president Massimo Moratti played down widespread speculation that he had been sacked.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez never dreamed of beating his former club Real Madrid by such a large margin after watching his team thrash the Spaniards 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield, he said on Tuesday. Two goals from Steven Gerrard, plus strikes by Fernando Torres and a late Andrea Dossena goal dealt Real Madrid their biggest defeat in the Champions League and secured a 5-0 aggregate win that humbled the Primera Liga outfit.
Rafael Benitez is glad to be working with someone who knows their soccer in Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti after the coach said he spent his last year at Liverpool with directors who knew nothing about it.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez would quit the club if he was ever forced to sell Spain striker Fernando Torres, but he remains confident of keeping his prize forward.
The Liverpool coach added that Morientes could even figure for his team in Saturday's home game with Manchester United.
European champions Inter Milan won the Club World Cup and brought some relief to beleaguered coach Rafael Benitez when they brushed aside Africa's TP Mazembe 3-0 in the final on Saturday.
New Napoli boss Rafael Benitez believes Arsene Wenger is the best coach in the Premier League and has backed Arsenal as genuine contenders this season.
Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez said the challenge of trying to win five trophies this season was too great an opportunity to turn down as he returned to the Premier League on Thursday.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes fan negativity is affecting the players at the Premier League club.
According to a report in as.com, speaking at a Madrid fans' meeting on Saturday, De Bla said: "Carlo Ancelotti is a phenomenon. We're eternally grateful to him. For me, up to three days ago he was the best coach in the world, as was Jose Mourinho a couple of years ago and as of next week it will be Rafa Bentez."
"I'm proud of the players for the way they came back," the Liverpool manager said.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez reckons that Liverpool's Champions League dream is now in ruins after Sunday's draw against Fulham.
Chelsea interim coach Rafael Benitez has heralded a changing of the guard at the Premier League club by saying that new players are needed for them to carry on winning.
Following Liverpool's exit from the Champions League the sacking of boss Rafael Benitez looks imminent, but striker Fernando Torres insists that sacking the manager "is not a solution" to the club's problems.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will get a close-up of the missing piece of his jigsaw puzzle on Saturday when Gareth Barry runs out for Manchester City at Anfield for a match with huge implications for both clubs.
Chelsea's beleaguered interim manager Rafael Benitez still enjoys a 'very good' relationship with the club's owner Roman Abramovich, he told BBC in an interview on Thursday.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called for an end to the "crazy" Euro 2008 qualifying system.
Rafael Benitez is well-known for his 'Rafa rants' and his latest tirade against employers Chelsea could further damage his reputation and chances of finding another job.
In a bitter outburst at the fans who have barracked him relentlessly and an angry swipe at the club's board for only appointing him 'interim' manager, Rafael Benitez said on Wednesday he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season.