Did Cristiano Ronaldo force Rafa Benitez out of Real Madrid? Former Los Blancos boss sets record straight on alleged row with CR7

Benitez was sacked as Real boss in January 2016 after just seven months in charge due to reportedly falling out with the players, as well as failing to impress supporters with his style of play. There have been suggestions that Ronaldo was instrumental in the decision to fire Benitez, though the Spaniard has now insisted that is not the case.

Benitez told Egyptian outlet MBC Masr 2 this week: "It's not true that I left Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo. There was never any problem between us. He's a great player and a phenomenon. I left due to certain internal issues within the club, but they had nothing to do with Ronaldo."

Benitez has enjoyed a successful career in management elsewhere, winning European silverware with Liverpool and Chelsea in England, as well as lifting the La Liga title with Valencia in 2002. His stint at the Bernabeu was a disaster, though - with the lowest point coming in a 4-0 loss to arch-rivals Barcelona in El Clasico.

Benitez left Celta Vigo last year but is still keen to return to management. He was quoted in March as saying that he is "waiting for the Premier League" after a deal to move to Brazilian side Botafogo fell through.