Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has said he will “only speak about football” after Jose Mourinho’s criticism of him and his wife.

Rafa Benitez emotionally hailed the “closing of a circle” as he returned to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu yesterday as first team coach - but the former Los Blancos youth team player and reserve trainer now has to quickly show that he can handle his dream job as Real Madrid first team coach.