Tag: 227

De Laurentiis: I'll get Benitez a good contract for Real Madrid!

The Spanish coach is set to take charge at the Santiago Bernabeu and the film producer has jokingly offered to represent him

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has jokingly offered to negotiate with Real Madrid on Rafael Benitez’s behalf.

Benitez announced on Thursday that he will be standing down as Partenopei boss after the final round of the Serie A season on Sunday, and the Spaniard is expected to replace the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu.

De Laurentiis refused to confirm that Benitez is bound for Madrid but he did offer to represent his outgoing coach in any potential contract talks.

“Would I recommend Benitez to Florentino Perez? I would recommend him to every club president but Perez doesn’t need my advice,” the Napoli supremo told reporters at a press conference.

“But if Rafa does join Madrid, it will be a confirmation that my choice of coach two years ago was the right one.

“I hope Florentino gives Rafa a good contract. I could help Rafa with that if he wants! It would be a good contract for sure!”

De Laurentiis had hoped to persuade Benitez, who led Napoli to Coppa Italia glory last year before lifting the Supercoppa Italiana this season, to spend another season at the San Paolo.

However, the film producer insisted that he is not in the least bit upset by the 55-year-old’s decision to depart.

“I thank Rafa Benitez for his work over the past two years,” De Laurentiis added. “He won me over immediately in London two years ago and he has since vindicated that positive impression.

“I had already understood that this would be his final season with us because he had wanted to be closer to his family.

“His contract was for two years with the option of a third but he gave me a reason for this so I wish him good luck.

“Two years ago we were 46th in the Uefa club rankings but now we’re 20th, ahead of many big teams.

“In the last two years we have been the only Italian team other than Juve to have won titles, lifting two trophies thanks to Rafa.

“Next season we will be the only Italian team to have competed in Uefa competition for the sixth successive year.

“We are strong, healthy and in good shape. I’m very happy to have had Rafa. He has grown the culture of this club.”

Benitez confirms he will leave Napoli this summer

The Spanish coach will quit his post following this weekend’s crunch Serie A clash with Lazio and is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid

Rafa Benitez has confirmed he will leave Napoli at the end of the Serie A season in a move that paves the way for him to take up the reins at Real Madrid.

The former Liverpool coach will depart following Sunday’s Serie A climax, which will see him lead Napoli into their final game of the season knowing victory over Lazio will secure Champions League football.

Napoli released a statement on Wednesday stipulating that Benitez would not answer questions regarding other clubs, meaning he could not confirm whether or not he would succeed Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.

“My time in Naples has ended,” Benitez said on Thursday in a press conference.

“I had a two-year contract with Napoli which ends after the match against Lazio.

“I would like to thank the president, the club and all the fans. On Sunday, we face a very important match and I want to finish my two years here with a victory.

“It’s always sad to leave a job where the people have treated you well from the start and Napoli was like this to me.”

The 55-year-old Madrid-born coach was appointed to the Serie A club in 2013, leading them to the Coppa Italia and a third-placed finish in his first season in charge.

Benitez spent most of his playing career with Real Madrid’s B team before going on to coach at every level of the club, excluding the first team.

De Bruyne: I won't return to Chelsea while Mourinho is there

The Belgium international was given just three Premier League outings by the Blues boss and says he would not consider going back to work under him


Wolfsburg star Kevin de Bruyne has hinted he would welcome a return to England – but not to a Chelsea side managed by Jose Mourinho.    

De Bruyne moved to Stamford Bridge from Genk in 2012 but was initially loaned to Werder Bremen. Having been recalled for the 2013-14 season he made just three Premier League appearances under Mourinho before completing a permanent move to Wolfsburg last January.

The 23-year-old’s agent, Patrick De Koster, has claimed Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are in the race to sign the Belgium international along with Manchester City following his fine season in the Bundesliga.

De Bruyne himself has encouraged interest from Bayern and admits he could move to England or Spain – but not to work with Mourinho again.

“I think, to be honest, I would not return to Chelsea as long as he is in charge,” he told Bild.

“I know that I like the Bundesliga, and it always did me good.

“But I don’t fear returning to England, or playing in Spain. I believe I can make it there.

“You can’t compare my time at Chelsea with what I’m doing now.”

De Bruyne scored 15 goals and registered 28 assists in all competitions as he helped Wolfsburg secure Champions League qualification for next season via a second-placed league finish.

While there have been a number or reports around his future, however, earlier in May club CEO Klaus Allofs insisted Wolfsburg have no intention of parting with their prized asset, stating he is “100 per cent convinced” the Belgian will remain at the Volkswagen Arena next season.

Sami Khedira set to join Juventus after undergoing medical

The Real Madrid midfielder is set to move to Turin on a free transfer after having a secret medical with the Italian champions

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is set to sign for Juventus after undergoing a secret medical in the Spanish capital, Goal has learned.

The Germany international was made persona non grata by the 2013-14 European champions this season with his contract set to expire this summer.

He was strongly linked with a return to his homeland in recent months, with Schalke said to be the front-runners for his signature, but the 28-year-old is now set to complete a move to the Italian champions.

After carrying out a secret medical in Madrid, Juve expect to finalise a deal worth around €4 million a season in the next few days.

Khedira suffered a number of injury problems this season before being “forced out” of Madrid but Juventus medical staff were satisfied with his physical condition and predict no repeat of what the 28-year-old has subsequently downplayed as a “small problem” in his heel.

Khedira joined Madrid from Stuttgart in 2010 and has made over 100 league appearances for the club, helping them to a Spanish league title and a Champions League crown.

He is expected to be joined at Juventus by Palermo’s Argentine forward Paulo Dybala, who arrived in Turin on Thursday and is set to undergo medical tests on Friday.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side, who have already claimed a domestic double this season, are set to meet Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin on June 6.

Get Adobe Flash player