Friday 22 May 2015 13:00, UK
Guillem Balague believes Real Madrid will begin talks with Rafael Benitez next week over the Spaniard returning as manager at the Bernabeu.
The former Liverpool boss has been linked with the post despite Real refusing to rule out incumbent Carlo Ancelotti remaining in charge for the final year of his contract.
Real drew a blank this year, both domestically and in Europe, and reports in Spain say Napoli coach Benitez, who coached Real's youth team in 1986 and had a spell in charge of their 'B' team in the early 90s, is their main target.
Former Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is also in the running but speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Sky's Spanish football expert Balague said: "Rafa can expect a call on Monday.
"Let's just say that Ancelotti has not had any notification that he will stay or go and when that happens at this stage of the season it means the club is looking at another candidate, even though he has a year left on his contract.
"It is quite clear that Real Madrid have decided that Ancelotti is not the way forward unless the other candidates say no, especially Rafael Benitez, and at the moment it looks like Real Madrid are looking somewhere else for their manager this season.
'Challenge'
"Real Madrid have actually made a call to Rafa's agent and the answer was 'come back on Monday as Rafael Benitez is actually working hard to finish the season with Napoli' and that means that negotiations will start.
"And I don't think they will go on very long in terms of financial or the length of contract.
"For Real Madrid it is like one of the sons coming back to the club. He was manager of one of the lower ranks of the club and I think he fancies the challenge so I don't think it will take long for them to agree terms.
"But Real Madrid is leaving the door open both for Ancelotti to stay and for other candidates to come on the shortlist and I imagine if Rafael Benitez says no then Klopp is another on the list.
"However, Real Madrid have been surprised by the coldness of Klopp. Every time he has been approached they thought by him leaving early would give Real Madrid a chance to convince him but they feel that perhaps he is either going to take a sabbatical or has something else on the table.
"But some are now saying the absolute priority is to convince Rafael Benitez to become the next manager of Real Madrid."
