Real Madrid vice-president Eduardo Fernandez de Blas has let slip that Rafa Benitez will be their next coach.

Benitez will leave Napoli at the end of the season and has been regarded as favourite for the Real job since Carlo Ancelotti's sacking last week.

De Blas admitted to a Real members group: "Ancelotti is an absolute phenomenon and we give him all out appreciation.

"Until three days ago he was the best trainer in the world as two years ago it was Jose Mourinho and from this week onwards it will be Rafa Benitez."

Former-Liverpool and Chelsea boss Benitez, who once had a stint as a Real youth team coach, is expected by local media to be named as the new man at the helm of Real next Wednesday.