Napoli Appoint Rafa Benitez As Their New Manager

Rafa Benitez has been announced as the new coach of Napoli on a two year contract.The 53-year-old Spaniard met club president Aurelio de Laurentiis in London who confirmed via Twitter: 'Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. A man of great international experience. A leader.'

Colourful film producer De Laurentiis revealed a deal was in place on Friday but had to backtrack while Benitez completed his commitments as Chelsea interim manager.


That entailed Benitez taking charge of Chelsea for the last time in the friendly 5-3 defeat to Manchester City in New York’s Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

Napoli later released an official statement saying: 'Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. An agreement was signed [on Monday] in London. Napoli are happy to welcome a coach so prestigious to our own family. A welcome also to his collaborators.'

Napoli were impressed by Benitez after he battled against fan hate campaigns and speculation over Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge to win the Europa League trophy and take Chelsea to third place in the Premier League.