Rafa Benitez has rejected the chance to join West Ham, according to reports from Italy.

Well-placed journalist Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting tonight that the Spanish coach has turned down the chance to manage West Ham and is instead set for talks with Real Madrid - who German media reported earlier today are set to hire Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp If news of Benitez's rejection proves to be correct it would represent a huge blow for West Ham's board, who have already been turned down by the likes of Klopp and fellow candidate David Moyes.With Sam Allardyce set to leave the club next week following this Sunday's Premier League fixture with Newcastle, West Ham could be left in limbo just a matter of weeks before their 2015/16 Europa League campaign is set to commence.And Benitez's withdrawal could leave current Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa - who KUMB understands has already help preliminary talks with West Ham - as the clear favourite to replace Allardyce, who has been in the post for four years since succeeding Avram Grant.