Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez is favourite to succeed Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

The Sunday Mirror says Benitez was last week assured by Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo there are no plans to replace him before the end of the ­season while the club are on course for a top-four finish.

Benitez will face competition from Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, David Moyes, Michael Laudrup and Diego Simeone for the full-time Chelsea job.

But he could be offered an escape route by Real Madrid.