Moratti: Benitez still at Inter for now
Reuters - Tuesday 21 December 2010, 20:52
MILAN - Confusion continued to reign over
the future of Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez on Tuesday after
club president Massimo Moratti played down widespread
speculation that he had been sacked.
Reports said Spaniard Benitez, only at the European and
Italian champions since June, was being removed because of his
side's poor domestic form and his outburst over what he saw as
Inter's lack of ambition following Saturday's World Club Cup
win.
"At the moment the coach of Inter is still Benitez," Moratti
told reporters outside his offices where he had held meetings
with club officials.
"I haven't been in contact with any other coach."
Brazilian Leonardo, who left as coach of city rivals AC
Milan in May after just one season as manager, has become
favourite to succeed Benitez after Zenit St Petersburg said
their boss Luciano Spalletti would be staying in Russia.
"Let's not joke," Moratti said when asked about reports he
had held talks with Leonardo.
Former Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga has also been linked
with the job despite Benitez saying on Monday he was surprised
by the reports about his imminent sacking.