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Napoli want Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez but he could wait on Real Madrid and PSG jobs
OUTGOING Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez was in talks with Napoli officials about replacing Walter Mazzarri at the Serie A club yesterday, but the Spaniard could opt to wait on the jobs at Real Madrid and PSG before deciding his future.
Chelsea interim Benitez leaves Stamford Bridge a Europa League winner, and has advanced not just his C.V. but his job prospects following a turbulent season with the Blues that ended in success.
Napoli are the frontrunners to appoint the 53-year-old former Liverpool manager, with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, sporting director Riccardo Bigon and negotiator Andrea Chiavelli all travelling to London.
However, talks had to be interrupted so that Benitez could take Chelsea on their end of season tour to America, while vacancies at Real Madrid and PSG may delay a decision from him.
Benitez is open to a return to Italy with Napoli - having managed Inter Milan previously - but with Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid departure confirmed and Carlo Ancelotti's situation at PSG complicated more options could arise.
While Mourinho is returning to England with Chelsea, one man who could complete a contrasting move is Martinez, who having been linked to the Everton job is also being touted as a Napoli target.
La Liga outfit Malaga are also in the running for Wigan's FA Cup mastermind, who will discuss his plans with Latics chief Dave Whelan this week.