Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez appears to have wasted little time in moving on following his departure from Liverpool (10/1 2010/11 Premier League champions) last week by reportedly agreeing a deal to take over as the new manager of European champions Inter Milan.
Inter president Massimo Moratti has dropped a big hint that the Spanish coach will be installed as Jose Mourinho’s replacement at the San Siro and he is expected to be officially confirmed as their new boss in the next 48 hours.
Moratti told reporters in Italy: “The next few hours could be decisive. But we must ask (technical director Marco) Branca.”
Benitez will also reportedly take his Anfield assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco de Miguel with him to Italy, leaving Liverpool with plenty of holes to fill in their coaching staff when they do move to make an appointment.
It is believed Benitez has agreed a three-year deal with Inter, worth five million euros per season, as he looks to keep the Italian treble winners at the pinnacle of club and European football next season.
Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 during his six-year tenure on Merseyside, was linked with a move to Serie A towards the end of last season but it was Juventus who were courting the former Valencia chief, but a deal failed to materialise and he has instead opted for Milan.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continue their search for a new boss with plenty of candidates said to be keen on taking the hot-seat despite the ongoing uncertainty over the club’s ownership.
American pair Tom Hicks and George Gillett continue to look for new investment but the lack of financial clout in the transfer market could affect who is eventually named new manager as there may not be much money to spend on new players.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson seems to be the top choice for the Reds and is totesport’s 6/4 favourite, but Kenny Dalglish (5/1), Martin O’Neill (3/1), Harry Redknapp (11/1) and Sven Goran Eriksson (10/1) are the other names in the frame at the minute.
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