Rafa Benitez expected to announce Napoli departure on Thursday

Rafa Benitez is expected to move a step closer to succeeding Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid boss by announcing he is leaving Napoli on Thursday. The Serie A club has called a press conference on Thursday at 13:00 CEST where Benitez will be joined by club president Aurelio de Laurentiis. Benitez is out of contract with the Naples club at the end of the season and he is expected to announce that he will leave the Serie A side after two years in charge. The Spaniard is not expected to announce he is moving to Madrid just yet, however. Madrid president Florentino Perez announced on Monday that he would name a new coach next week. Napoli also still have a huge league match against Lazio this weekend, one which they have to win to ensure they finish in the Champions League places in Italy.