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Benítez se Hace Cargo del Real Madrid
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Benitez Takes Charge at Real Madrid Madrid, Spain—Rafael Benitez has been appointed as the manager at Real Madrid, joining the club on a three-year contract. Benitez managed Real Madrid's B team 20 years ago, and he returns to the club after successful spells with Valencia , Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli among others. Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti left the club at the end of the season, while Benitez arrives after guiding Napoli to a fifth-place finish in Serie A this past season. After leaving Madrid , Benitez helped Valencia win two La Liga titles as well as reach the Champions League final in back-to-back years. He was at the helm when Liverpool won a memorable Champions League final in 2005, and helped them return in 2007, although the Reds lost to an Ancelotti- led AC Milan team. Benitez spent a brief stint at Inter Milan before moving on to Chelsea , where he won the Europa League, prior to being appointed Napoli 's head man ahead of the 2012-13 season. Now Benitez returns home to where he began both his playing and coaching careers, and the 55-year-old knows the daunting task in front of him. "The demand and the starting point is different with respect to when I was unveiled at Liverpool ," Benitez said Wednesday. "When I arrived at Liverpool , I had three years to help the club become competitive. Here, from the first minute, we have to compete and make sure we're always at the top." Real Madrid finished second to Barcelona in La Liga this season, while being knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus in the semifinal round. "It's an emotional day, a very special one," said an emotional Benitez. "I have worked very hard to achieve success and return home, which was an aim of mine. The cycle is completed but I hope it lasts a long time. I hope things go well and we can win titles." |