Rafa Benitez discussed his Napoli career, Gonzalo Higuain’s reaction to a Champions League exit and the Spain job.
The Coach sat down with Gazzetta TV and covered several different topics, including how they recovered from their preliminary round defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
“I spoke to the players at length, including Higuain. Gonzalo slowly rediscovered his mentality, his desire to win and that was the key to getting back on track.”
Rafa Benitez discussed his Napoli career, Gonzalo Higuain’s reaction to a Champions League exit and the Spain job.
The Coach sat down with Gazzetta TV and covered several different topics, including how they recovered from their preliminary round defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
“I spoke to the players at length, including Higuain. Gonzalo slowly rediscovered his mentality, his desire to win and that was the key to getting back on track.”
The Partenopei were also shaken by losing popular goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who still visits his old teammates sometimes.
“We are talking about a good goalkeeper, but above all Pepe was a Neapolitan Spaniard. He has a very similar mentality to those in this city and that means he’s loved by the fans and people follow his lead in the locker room.
“Manolo Gabbiadini has a quality left foot, but is also a lad who wants to learn and this proves the future belongs to him.”
Benitez has never bought or rented a home in Naples, staying instead either at a hotel or inside the training ground.
“I like to give 100 per cent for the club I work for. This is the logistically best solution for my daily work. I like Naples, as it reminds me of Madrid.”
His contract is up in June and he’s widely expected to move on, so would Benitez prefer to be at Real Madrid or in charge of the Spain squad?
“I spent many years at Real Madrid, but the national team is an option only for the end of my career.”