MX23RW : Friday, March 29 07:10:31| >> :60:1503:1503:

Sullivan: Rafael Benitez "was within three hours" of joining West Ham United

West Ham United joint chairman David Sullivan reveals that Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez was "within three hours" of becoming the club's manager earlier this summer.

West Ham United joint chairman David Sullivan has revealed that Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez was "within three hours" of becoming Hammers manager before joining the Spanish club.

The Premier League side targeted the former Chelsea boss as a replacement for the departing Sam Allardyce at the start of the summer before the Spaniard chose to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real.

Sullivan told the London Evening Standard that the club had agreed a contract with Benitez to take the reins at Upton Park before turning to Slaven Bilic when the deal was not completed.

"Rafa Benitez was within three hours of signing for us," he said. "Every clause in his contract was agreed and then he went to Real Madrid.

"It was a real blow because he is a really experienced manager in England and he did really well in Italy. We had an agreement in place but we had to pick ourselves up, look who else was available and pick the best we could.

"Whoever you take is a gamble. The bottom line is that we have a manager. He has our 100% support. We will support him in the transfer market. We like him."

After being named Hammers boss in June, Bilic led the club to an opening-day win at Arsenal but has seen his side lose their last two Premier League games since that victory, with a trip to Anfield tomorrow next on the agenda.

ID:242470: cacheID:242470:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2438:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roma's Serbian forward Adem Ljajic celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 match Feyenoord vs AS Roma in Rotterdam on February 26, 2015
Read Next:
Adem Ljajic rejects West Ham move?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!