Carlo Ancelotti’s agent '99 per cent sure' Rafa Benitez is next Real Madrid manager

Ancelotti was relieved of his managerial duties by club president Florentino Perez on Monday after a disappointing season in which Real Madrid failed to yield a single piece of silverware, despite winning the Champions League and Copa del Rey during his first season.

Following Ancelotti’s dismissal, Perez claimed that the club were looking to make a swift appointment, whilst also stating that it was preferential for any potential candidate to speak Spanish.

It is believed that current Napoli coach Rafael Benitez is the frontrunner, with his agent stating that the former Valencia, Liverpool and Chelsea manager would be “delighted” to take the job.

Reports suggest that no announcement will be made until next week and with Benitez taking charge of Napoli’s final Serie A game on Sunday, speculation persists that he will take over the reins at the Bernabeu in the near future.

And to stoke the fire even further, Ancelotti’s agent Ernesto Bronzetti said that he had heard Benitez, who started his coaching career with Real Madrid’s Under-18 team, was returning to the club as first team coach.

"Rafa Benitez is 99 percent Real Madrid coach," Bronzetti told RAI.

Departing coach Ancelotti has been linked with a number of clubs including former side Milan, Manchester City and Liverpool, but the Italian confirmed that he would undergo a minor back operation and then take time off to recover.

"At the moment, Ancelotti wants to take a years' rest," Bronzetti added. "That is his intention."