Coming to the surprise of many, Rafael Benitez is the man Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has designs on to succeed the sacked three-time Champions League-winning manager Carlo Ancelotti.
On Off The Ball, we wanted to make sense of a move which will bring the ex-Liverpool and (interim) Chelsea boss back to a club where he has strong ties (as this photo underlines) and to do that, we were joined by our European football correspondent Graham Hunter.
"What Rafa Benitez will bring is something Real Madrid are missing, not because he is sargeant-majory, but because he is extremely hands-on on the coaching field. Every player that you speak to say 'he made me better, he made me more focused positionally, I was more accurate,'" said Graham, highlighting that focus has been a shortcoming among Real's players in their recent downturn in form.
Graham reckons fans will accept a certain style of winning football early on in Rafa's reign, but he added: "Do I share your view that there will be storm clouds ahead if he appointed? Yes."
He also explains why he feels that Benitez's work at Chelsea was "extra-ordinary" given the circumstances at the time.
