West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has revealed that former Napoli coach Rafa Benitez was close to managing West Ham.
After announcing he would be leaving the Partenopei in late May there were a whole host of rumours swirling, Benitez eventually chose Real Madrid, but Sullivan said the Hammers were a whisker away from getting him.
“Rafa Benitez was within three hours of signing for us,” Sullivan told reporters.
“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 done really well in Italy.
“We had an agreement in place but you have to pick yourself up, look who else is available and pick the best you can. ”
The London side eventually appointed Slaven Bilic as their new coach and Sullivan said they would back him all the way.
“Whoever you take is a gamble.”
The bottom line is we have a manager. He has our 100 per cent support.
“We will support him in the transfer market. We like him.”
