The defender has praised the Napoli boss after being asked about the prospect of working under him at Real Madrid next season
Real Madrid defender Pepe has labelled Rafa Benitez a “great coach” after he moved a step closer to taking charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Benitez announced on Wednesday that he would leave his position at Napoli, with Madrid expected to confirm him as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor next week.
Pepe believes the Spaniard would be a top choice to succeed the outgoing Italian, though he stressed there is nothing concrete in the claims Benitez has got the Blancos job right now.
“Benitez is a great coach who has done good work wherever he has been, especially with Liverpool,” the centre-back said on Thursday.
“But at the moment it is still press talk, we will have to see what happens in the coming days.”
Pepe also expressed his disappointment at Ancelotti being cut loose just one year after guiding Pepe and his Madrid colleagues to Champions League glory.
“Ancelotti has our affection,” the Portuguese centre-back added. “His departure leaves us all a bit sad because he was a very good coach. But we must continue our lives and we hope he rests well.
“Before he left, Ancelotti told us he had really liked working with us and that we were a very good group who had given him great joy in winning La Decima.”
