Rafa Benitez has set the record straight on whether Cristiano Ronaldo forced him out of Real Madrid in 2016.
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Benitez managed Real from June 2015 to Jan 2016Spaniard reportedly fell out with RonaldoHas now set record straightFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Benitez was sacked as Real boss in January 2016 after just seven months in charge due to reportedly falling out with the players, as well as failing to impress supporters with his style of play. There have been suggestions that Ronaldo was instrumental in the decision to fire Benitez, though the Spaniard has now insisted that is not the case.
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Benitez told Egyptian outlet this week: "It's not true that I left Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo. There was never any problem between us. He's a great player and a phenomenon. I left due to certain internal issues within the club, but they had nothing to do with Ronaldo."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Benitez has enjoyed a successful career in management elsewhere, winning European silverware with Liverpool and Chelsea in England, as well as lifting the La Liga title with Valencia in 2002. His stint at the Bernabeu was a disaster, though – with the lowest point coming in a 4-0 loss to arch-rivals Barcelona in El Clasico.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR BENITEZ?
Benitez left Celta Vigo last year but is still keen to return to management. He was quoted in March as saying that he is "waiting for the Premier League" after a deal to move to Brazilian side Botafogo fell through.