Rafa Benitez was ‘two hours’ away from rejecting Real Madrid for a Premier League job in London

Rafa Benitez is a man who, shall we say, get around.

Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Napaoli, Chelsea and now Real Madrid. He's managed in various countries and could almost have enjoyed a third spell in England this summer if Real Madrid hadn't come calling. West Ham dumped Sam Allardyce at the end of last season, and were looking for a top level boss  to take over at the Hammers. And according to chairman David Sullivan who spoke to Sky Sports, the club were just 'two hours' from agreeing a deal with Benitez. The ex-Liverpool manager was also a long term target of Madrid, having coached there in his early career, and Sullivan admits his club were just pipped by the La Liga giants

"We were two hours from getting Benitez and then Real came in. We had agreed a contract and everything. I'm a great believer what happens, happens. He is a top manager whatever anybody says and I think he'd have done a wonderful job for us." "We tried  Klopp as well but he wouldn't come because he said he wanted a break. But I'm glad with the manager we have got."

We're sure the current manager Slaven Bilic is just thrilled to be told he was second choice, or as Sullivan calls it 'the best of the rest'.