Reports claim Leonardo set to take over at Inter
Source: Agencies |
December 23, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CONFUSION continued to reign over the future of Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez on Tuesday after club president Massimo Moratti played down widespread media speculation that he had been sacked.
Reports in Italy said Spaniard Benitez, only at the European and Italian champion 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 on Tuesday 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 rival AC Milan in May after just one season as manager, has reportedly got the job, according to reports, after Zenit St Petersburg said its 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.
Zenit General Director Maxim Mitrofanov told reporters that "Spalletti himself had told us that he would stay at Zenit at least for another season".
"I think that is more than enough for us to trust him. Spalletti is unique. It would be simply impossible for him to deceive or lie to us about his future plans."
Spalletti, 51, this year led Zenit to a domestic league and cup double in his first season in St Petersburg.
The big-spending club, backed by Russian energy giant Gazprom, has decided to spend some US$100 million to reinforce the team next year.
The next Russian season switches from its traditional March-November format to a calendar more in line with the rest of Europe, starting in March 2011 and concluding at the end of May 2012.
Reports in Italy said Spaniard Benitez, only at the European and Italian champion 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 on Tuesday 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 rival AC Milan in May after just one season as manager, has reportedly got the job, according to reports, after Zenit St Petersburg said its 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.
Zenit General Director Maxim Mitrofanov told reporters that "Spalletti himself had told us that he would stay at Zenit at least for another season".
"I think that is more than enough for us to trust him. Spalletti is unique. It would be simply impossible for him to deceive or lie to us about his future plans."
Spalletti, 51, this year led Zenit to a domestic league and cup double in his first season in St Petersburg.
The big-spending club, backed by Russian energy giant Gazprom, has decided to spend some US$100 million to reinforce the team next year.
The next Russian season switches from its traditional March-November format to a calendar more in line with the rest of Europe, starting in March 2011 and concluding at the end of May 2012.
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