Thursday 21 May 2015 16:59, UK
Rafael Benitez’s odds on becoming the next Real Madrid manager have plummeted to 1/3 at Sky Bet following a run of significant stakes.
Current Real manager Carlo Ancelotti is widely expected to depart this summer after failing to retain the Champions League or regain the La Liga title.
Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane and Fernando Hierro have also been linked with the post but it is Benitez who is attracting overwhelming backing for the job according to the bookmakers, with Ancelotti 6/1 to still be in charge come the start of the season.
Benitez’s current contract with Napoli expires at the end of the season, with next Sunday’s clash with Lazio expected to be his final match in charge of the Serie A outfit.
Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport claims the former Liverpool manager will meet with the Napoli board on Thursday and tell the club he does not wish to stay on.
Sky Bet’s Chris Spicer said: “Benitez has attracted around 95 per cent of all bets in our market on who will be in charge come the start of next season, with virtually no interest in Ancelotti remaining at the club despite far longer odds.
“Klopp looks a logical choice given his impending departure from Dortmund but we’ve actually seen more backing for him to take charge at Liverpool than Real Madrid.”
