Rafa Benitez unveiled as new coach of Real Madrid

Rafa Benitez was in tears on Wednesday as he fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition taking over Real Madrid.

The Madrid-born former Liverpool manager gave one of the shortest opening speeches of any coach taking over the club in the last 15 years.

‘It’s emotional to come home,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what to say. I want to make sure we win things and the team plays well.’

The 55-year-old manager who returns to the club where he cut his coaching teeth as a youth team managaer having reached C-team level as a player, was flanked by wife Montse and presented to media and directors by president Florentino Perez.

Perez said: ‘We are convinced the arrival of Benitez will make us stronger. We are bringing in a coach who has always wanted to be manager this club. Someone who is known for his methods and for his professionalism.’

Perez read out a list of Benitez’s list of trophies won including the Champions League he won ten years ago with Liverpool and two ligas won with Valencia.

He added: ‘He knows this club. He is one of ours. He arrived here as a 13-year-old and I imagine it is very special for him to take over the club as its manager today. Dear Rafa, welcome home.’

Benitez was presented as Madrid boss at a press conference on Wednesday after a tour of the club's Valdebebas training ground. 

Credit: Pete Jenson/SportsMail