Rafa Benitez has defended his Napoli record, as he’s presented as the new Real Madrid Coach.
The former Liverpool manager spent two seasons with the Partenopei, but finished a disappointing fifth this season.
“People here say I am defensive,” Benitez told the assembled media.
“My Napoli team scored 104 goals goals a year, a record, for two consecutive seasons.
“We had a different squad [to Madrid] but we still managed to compete very well in three important competitions."
Rafa Benitez has defended his Napoli record, as he’s presented as the new Real Madrid Coach.
The former Liverpool manager spent two seasons with the Partenopei, but finished a disappointing fifth this season.
“People here say I am defensive,” Benitez told the assembled media.
“My Napoli team scored 104 goals goals a year, a record, for two consecutive seasons.
“We had a different squad [to Madrid] but we still managed to compete very well in three important competitions."
The new Merengues boss also insisted that he had not agreed to join the club before Napoli’s last Serie A game, a defeat to Lazio.
“Alongside [President Aurelio] De Laurentiis – who I’d like to thank as he’s the reason I’m here – we held a Press conference to announce that I wouldn’t be continuing with the Azzurri.
“After the conference, there was important contact with my agent, but I didn’t want to know anything until Monday morning, because the game which was still to be played was too important.
“Today is an exciting day for me.”
The Spaniard replaces Carlo Ancelotti and Bernabeu, but refused to criticise his predecessor.
“I have a very good relationship with Ancelotti,” Benitez insisted.
“A friendship, as well as a professional relationship. I’m not going to analyse his time here at the club.
“I will, with my backroom staff, to try and learn and take this club forward, maybe learn from a few mistakes. But everybody makes mistakes, there are more positive things from his time here than negative.”