‘No time was given’ – Benitez reflects on early Real Madrid sacking

Rafael Benitez believes “no time was given” to him during his tenure as Real Madrid boss.

He was appointed at the helm in June 2015, but was dismissed from his role in January 2016 despite Los Blancos sitting third in LaLiga and winning their Champions League group with 16 points.

But there were other problems both on and off the pitch. Karim Benzema was being investigated for a blackmail plot involving compatriot Mathieu Valbuena, while Madrid were disqualified from the Copa del Rey after fielding an ineligible player against Cadiz in the round of 32 second leg.

A 4-0 defeat to rivals Barcelona was then later followed up by a record-equalling 8-0 win in the Champions League against Malmo, but it was not enough for Benitez to stay in the job.

He won 16 of his 24 games in charge of Los Blancos (D5 L3), with his side scoring 66 goals in that time and conceding just 21.

The 65-year-old believes his time in the Spanish capital has been misjudged, insisting he could have finished the season in a respectable manner.

“I don't think I did badly,” said Benitez at Festival dello Sport.

“People don't remember that we were two points away from Barcelona - with one less game played - we played in the Champions League and were qualified after five matches.

“This is very interesting, but I can't talk about that here because otherwise I will cause a mess.

“But we qualified with five wins and a draw, and we also did not concede goals for some time. We have the UCL record, actually I have two, one with Napoli, sorry, with Liverpool, 8-0 against Besiktas; and then with Real against Malmo 8-0.

“The team played well and scored goals, there were some difficulties with Benzema, etc. but people think we did not do well, no time was given.

“I regret the time, because I am sure that in UCL and in LaLiga we could have done well. But that’s how football is, everything happens really quickly.”