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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez in frame to replace Manuel Pellegrini at Real Madrid
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:46 AM on 29th October 2009
Target: Rafa Benitez
Real Madrid are lining up Rafa Benitez as their next manager after giving Manuel Pellegrini two games to save his job.
The Spanish giants have won just one of their last five games and suffered the humiliation of a 4-0 defeat by third division Alcorcon in the Cup on Tuesday night.
Madrid considered sacking Pellegrini straight after the latest debacle, but will give him a chance to turn things around against Getafe on Saturday and at AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The decision gives Madrid time to probe possible successors and Liverpool boss Benitez is said to be on the short list.
A host of out-of-work coaches are also being considered, but Madrid want to know if Benitez's commitment to Liverpool has been shaken by the ongoing boardroom dispute between the club's American owners.
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Shame: Rafael van der Vaart can barely believe it as Real Madrid are beaten 4-0 by Alcorcon
Under pressure: Manuel Pellegrini
Benitez, who held several coaching roles at Madrid in the Eighties and Nineties, was considered by Madrid in the summer, but he was way down the list of president Florentino Perez's favourites.
Carlo Ancelotti turned down the job in favour of going to Chelsea, while Arsene Wenger preferred to stay at Arsenal, but Benitez may now be the strongest available candidate.
Former Bernabeu star Michael Laudrup and Holland legend Marco van Basten are options, while 71-year-old former Spain manager Luis Aragones would be an experienced option.
Perez had a plan for sporting director Jorge Valdano, the former Argentina striker, to take over in the event of Pellegrini's sacking.
However, 54-year-old Valdano has made it clear he does not want to coach the side and has instead been charge with finding the potential replacement.
It will cost Madrid about £10million in compensation if they part with former Villarreal boss Pellegrini.
Perez says his team need time to gel after a £225m summer spending spree, but it is understood he will not remain patient if Madrid are embarrassed by city rivals Getafe at the Bernabeu.
'I would like to send a message to calm the fans,' he said. 'We have to remember that a lot of new players arrived before the start of the season and this requires a period of adaptation.
'The season is only two months old and we are still trying to create a team.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1223752/Liverpool-boss-Rafa-Benitez-frame-replace-Manuel-Pellegrini-Real-Madrid.html#ixzz0VKfWqQPo
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:46 AM on 29th October 2009
Target: Rafa BenitezReal Madrid are lining up Rafa Benitez as their next manager after giving Manuel Pellegrini two games to save his job.
The Spanish giants have won just one of their last five games and suffered the humiliation of a 4-0 defeat by third division Alcorcon in the Cup on Tuesday night.
Madrid considered sacking Pellegrini straight after the latest debacle, but will give him a chance to turn things around against Getafe on Saturday and at AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The decision gives Madrid time to probe possible successors and Liverpool boss Benitez is said to be on the short list.
A host of out-of-work coaches are also being considered, but Madrid want to know if Benitez's commitment to Liverpool has been shaken by the ongoing boardroom dispute between the club's American owners.
Enlarge
Shame: Rafael van der Vaart can barely believe it as Real Madrid are beaten 4-0 by Alcorcon Under pressure: Manuel PellegriniBenitez, who held several coaching roles at Madrid in the Eighties and Nineties, was considered by Madrid in the summer, but he was way down the list of president Florentino Perez's favourites.
Carlo Ancelotti turned down the job in favour of going to Chelsea, while Arsene Wenger preferred to stay at Arsenal, but Benitez may now be the strongest available candidate.
Former Bernabeu star Michael Laudrup and Holland legend Marco van Basten are options, while 71-year-old former Spain manager Luis Aragones would be an experienced option.
Perez had a plan for sporting director Jorge Valdano, the former Argentina striker, to take over in the event of Pellegrini's sacking.
However, 54-year-old Valdano has made it clear he does not want to coach the side and has instead been charge with finding the potential replacement.
It will cost Madrid about £10million in compensation if they part with former Villarreal boss Pellegrini.
Perez says his team need time to gel after a £225m summer spending spree, but it is understood he will not remain patient if Madrid are embarrassed by city rivals Getafe at the Bernabeu.
'I would like to send a message to calm the fans,' he said. 'We have to remember that a lot of new players arrived before the start of the season and this requires a period of adaptation.
'The season is only two months old and we are still trying to create a team.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1223752/Liverpool-boss-Rafa-Benitez-frame-replace-Manuel-Pellegrini-Real-Madrid.html#ixzz0VKfWqQPo
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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