Moratti less trigger happy than 10 years ago
Reuters - Tuesday 30 November 2010, 10:12
MILAN - Inter Milan chief Massimo
Moratti would have been sharpening his axe for coach Rafael
Benitez had their recent run of bad form come 10 years ago but
the club president says experience has made him less trigger
happy.
Moratti was renowned for hiring and firing managers
quickly until he finally found title success with Roberto
Mancini and Jose Mourinho.
Current coach Benitez was under the microscope after
losing to Tottenham Hotpsur in the Champions League and
dropping to sixth in Serie A following a derby defeat by AC
Milan but wins over Twente Enschede and Parma eased the
pressure.
Asked if he would have axed Spaniard Benitez 10 years ago
under the same circumstances, Moratti told reporters late on
Monday: "Maybe, yes. But you know, experience helps."
Moratti also played down speculation the injury-hit
European champions could try to sign Sampdoria striker Antonio
Cassano, who has been suspended by the club and could be
released by a arbitration hearing on Friday after clashing
with the president.
"It's fantasy football, the rumours aren't true," he said,
adding that efforts to recruit Genoa defender Andrea Ranocchia
in January were under way but that reaching a deal was proving
difficult.
Media reports on Tuesday linked Cassano with Juventus, who
are coached by former Samp boss Luigi Del Neri.