Real Madrid Directors Advise Rafa Benitez to Lose Weight to Avoid Taunts

Real Madrid had doubts about hiring Rafa Benitez because of his weight, according to a report in Spanish newspaper AS.

Directors at the club have advised him to shed pounds in order to avoid the kind of taunts he sometimes received in England, AS adds. The report is relayed in English by Oliver Todd of the Daily Mail:

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Real president Florentino Perez even had reservations about appointing Benitez because of his public image despite having no doubts over his managerial ability.

During his spell as interim manager at Chelsea, Benitez's name frequently popped up alongside the word 'fat' in chants from the stands as well as supporters' banners.

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Earlier this year, the Sampdoria president, Massimo Ferrero, said he wouldn't hire the Spaniard because of his weight.

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Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero: Rafa Benitez is too fat to manage the club. pic.twitter.com/yMrTnIo7oo

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 24, 2015"

In England, a cruel comparison to a "fat Spanish waiter" has followed him throughout much of his managerial career, as the Daily Mirror recounted. 

[H/T Daily Mail, AS]