Rafael Benitez endured a tough time when he took charge of Real Madrid in 2015, but he has insisted that rumours surrounding his departure are not to be believed
Rafael Benitez has claimed he left Real Madrid due to "internal issues" at the club, and not because of his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. Benitez was removed from his post as the boss of Los Blancos in January 2016.
He was out of a job after just seven months in charge, due to reportedly falling out with the players, as well as failing to impress his style of play upon fans. There were later suggestions that Ronaldo was instrumental in Benitez's sacking.
However, the Champions League-winning coach has now claimed that there is no truth to any rift between him and the Portuguese star.
"It's not true that I left Real Madrid because of Cristiano Ronaldo," Benitez said. "There was never any problem between us; he's a great player. Extraordinary. I left due to internal issues at the club, but nothing to do with Ronaldo."
Benitez was appointed Madrid manager in June 2015. Despite being third in La Liga and just four points behind leaders Atlético Madrid at the time of his dismissal, the Spanish club's hierarchy still elected to pull the trigger on his stint.
Booing and jeers from frustrated fans toward Benitez prior to a tie against Real Sociedad certainly didn't help the manager's case as rumours flew of a discord between the ex-Valencia boss and Ronaldo. Yet speaking on Spanish radio station Cadena SER in February of this year, Benitez stated that he only ever discussed tactics with the ex-Manchester United forward.
“The only comment I made to Ronaldo, as I knew him from United, is that we analysed how he took free-kicks," Benitez said. "It’s my only conversation with him. Everything else is a lie."
Reinforcing Benitez's claims, Ronaldo himself insisted to Football Espana back in 2015 that he was happy with the former Chelsea boss. “I feel good with [Benitez]," Ronaldo said. "I think he is doing a good job and should be allowed to continue like this.”
However, perhaps stoking the fires of friction, Benitez claimed more recently that his former captain at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was the player he enjoyed managing the most, while firing a thinly veiled barb in the direction of the Spanish capital.
“Steven [Gerrard] is the best player I have ever coached," Benitez said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. "In Madrid, I couldn’t say that, but now I can. It was very clear he had everything."
While winning a host of accolades including the European Cup, La Liga, the Europa League, the FA Cup, Coppa Italia and the Championship. Benitez has had a somewhat inconsistent managerial career.
After leaving Liverpool, he succeeded Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan for a single season before returning to the UK with Chelsea. A brief spell at Napoli followed before his move to Madrid.
Benitez then took charge of Newcastle, bringing the Magpies back to the Premier League. He left two years later, and after stints in China, and a controversial period at Liverpool's bitter rivals, Everton. He now finds himself without a job after leaving Celta Vigo in March.
"I have received offers from clubs in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia," Benitez said on his future. "I might return to coaching soon, perhaps even in China."