Rafael Benitez in Madrid ahead of Real deal

Less than 24 hours after overseeing his final game in charge of Napoli, Rafael Benitez landed in Madrid yesterday morning.

The 55 year old, whose two-year stint with Napoli ended with a 4-2 home defeat to Lazio on Sunday, is expected to be named as the new Real Madrid coach this week.

Benitez has been strongly linked with Real this summer, the club where he started his coaching career.

“I am enthusiastic and happy,” Benitez said to the Spanish press upon his arrival in the capital. “Although there are things that still need to be discussed.”

Real sacked coach Carlo Ancelotti last week following a trophy-less season.

Benitez has been away from Spain since 2004 when he left Valencia to take the helm at Liverpool.

Landing the Real job would be the biggest challenge of Benitez’s career and when asked if his dream begins now, he said: “Yes.”

Benitez has been one of the biggest coaching names in football for more than a decade having led Valencia to two Primera Division titles, back-to-back appearances in the Champions League final and a Uefa Cup crown.

He also steered Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, where his team staged a major comeback in the final to stun an Ancelotti-led AC Milan.

Benitez also won the FA Cup and Uefa Super Cup while at Liverpool.