Real Madrid defender Pepe has given his backing to the club's prospective appointment of coach Rafael Benitez.

Benitez's departure from Napoli was confirmed on Thursday, and the Spaniard is heavily expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti in Madrid after the Italian's dismissal on Tuesday.

The 55-year-old previously led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, having won La Liga with Valencia one year earlier, and Pepe says that he has the CV needed for the job.

"Benitez is a great coach who has done good work wherever he has been, especially with Liverpool," he told reporters.

"But at the moment it is still press talk, we will have to see what happens in the coming days."

It was reported on Wednesday that Benitez had already begun plotting his transfer moves, with Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling reportedly top of his shortlist.

Written by
Shane Callaghan