Internazionale officials have issued a statement denying any interest in Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as the under-fire Spaniard’s future remains shrouded in doubt at Anfield (1/12 Internazionale – Serie A outright).
Why the Italian giants would want to swap the self-titled ‘Special One’ for Benitez remains to be seen, but the Italian media have claimed a deal could be on the cards if Jose Mourinho decides to move on.
Real Madrid are said to be sniffing around and should Mourinho fancy a new challenge then Inter could turn to Benitez, who may be ready to walk away from Anfield following a shocking season.
Seventh in the Premier League is nowhere near good enough for the Reds and Benitez may decide to head for the continent rather than wait to be sacked. Juventus are also keen and it looks as though Benitez does have plenty of admirers abroad.
Inter are playing down the rumours though. They are busy preparing for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich (8/15 – Champions League outright) later this month and clearly do not want any distractions.
A statement from Inter read: “With regards to what has been reported by several Italian media, FC Internazionale underlines that absolutely no contact has been made with coaches – of other clubs or national teams – given that the club has a contract with Jose Mourinho until 2012, and that everybody is focused exclusively on the team’s important upcoming commitments.”
Inter are closing in on another Serie A title with just one game remaining and if he does leave the San Siro then there are doubts over whether Benitez can fill his boots.
Punters are not fancying Liverpool one bit again next season and the Reds are 10/1 to win the Premier League title, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal all fancied more.
Benitez could be on the move in the summer but his chances of landing the Inter job if it becomes available are surely slim.
Juve may be more appropriate and would give him the chance to get away from England where his time appears to be up.
Even the Liverpool fans are starting to turn on him and how they would love to send him packing to Italy in exchange for Mourinho, who would be the man to bring the glory days back to Anfield.
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