West Ham 'two hours away' from appointing Benitez

David Sullivan claims West Ham were “two hours” away from appointing Rafael Benitez as manager before Real Madrid acquired his services.

West Ham embarked on a far-reaching managerial search in the summer following the sacking of Sam Allardyce on the final day of the season.

The Hammers eventually appointed Slaven Bilic as their new manager in June, but Sullivan says they initially approached the former Chelsea and Liverpool boss.

"We were two hours from getting Benitez and then Real Madrid came in. We had agreed a contract," Sullivan told BBC Sport.

"He is a top manager whatever anybody says, and I think he'd have done a wonderful job for us."

As West Ham scoured the globe for a new boss, Sullivan also says that they approached Jurgen Klopp following his exit from Borussia Dortmund, only for him too to snub their advances.

"We tried Klopp as well but he wouldn't come because he said he wanted a break. But I'm glad with the manager we have got," added Sullivan.

The Hammers are currently 10th in the Premier League table and have drawn their last five top-flight games.