Inter and Benitez separate by mutual agreement
MILAN - F.C. Internazionale and Rafael Benitez wish to convey that, together and with mutual satisfaction, they have reached an agreement for the early cancellation of their working partnership.
F.C. Internazionale would like to thank Rafael Benitez for his work in charge of the team, which he guided to success in the Italian League Super Cup and in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Rafael Benitez would like to thank F.C. Internazionale for the important professional experience and for the victories achieved together.
http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=35392&L=en Gazzetta: Rafa to be sacked
Gazzetta dello Sport reports Inter president Massimo Moratti has decided to end Rafael Benitez's reign at San Siro.
Under the headline "Benitez e' fuori!" ("Benitez is out!"), the newspaper details how the Spaniard will lose his job despite leading Inter to success in the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Benitez was under intense pressure heading into the competition given Inter are 13 points behind rivals and Serie A leaders Milan, and following a 3-0 victory over TP Mazembe, Benitez invited more scrutiny when issuing an ultimatum to Moratti.
The Nerazzurri coach said, via the media, that Moratti had to back him with new signings, carry on "without planning" or to terminate his contract. According to Gazzetta, Moratti has chosen the third of those options.
When asked for his reaction to Benitez's comments on Sunday, Moratti said: "They were a bit out of place, perhaps, but they haven't spoiled anything for now: at the moment anyone who loves Inter is happy. I'm not going to talk about Benitez now."
Moratti was also questioned about Benitez's position by reporters on Monday morning , but remained tight-lipped. He said: "I will not speak today. I do not wish to create any controversies with anyone."
Benitez has been backed by Renzo Ulivieri, the head of the Italian Coaches' Association, who feels the Spaniard was correct to issue his ultimatum.
"Benitez has always been calm and civil," Ulivieri told La Repubblica. "He has my support but he doesn't need it because he can stand on his own two feet, he is a world club champion.
"If he asks for respect it's because obviously he has been lacking it. He has only asked for normal things."
Benitez's agent, Emanuel Garcia Quilon, has insisted the coach will be remaining at San Siro. "Benitez will stay at Inter Milan at 100%,'' Quilon told Radio Sportiva. ''I spoke with him last night (on Friday) and he told me that he is celebrating the victory with his family."
According to Gazzetta, the leading contender to replace Benitez is former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, who led Zenit St Petersburg to the Russian title this season. Former Milan coach Leonardo is also believed to be under consideration.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/855928?cc=4716Inter chief Massimo Moratti quiet on Benitez future
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has refused to comment on the future of the club's manager Rafael Benitez.
Benitez led Inter to Club World Cup victory on Saturday with a 3-0 win over TP Mazembe before urging the Italian side's board to back him.
Reports on Monday suggested Inter and Benitez had parted company but the club insisted these were just rumours.
"I prefer not to talk today [Monday] to avoid the risk of creating controversies," said Moratti.
Inter may have won the Club World Cup with victory over Congolese side TP Mazembe to claim their fifth trophy of 2010 but they are well off the pace in this season's Serie A.
They have won only one of their last six league games and lie seventh in the table as they go into Italian's football's winter break 13 points behind leaders and city rivals AC Milan.
However, Inter do have two games in hand on the teams above them and next play on 6 January at home to Napoli.
Although Benitez can point to injuries to key players for his team's plight, he is reportedly under pressure barely seven months after Moratti appointed him to succeed Jose Mourinho.
Speaking after Saturday's victory, Benitez said: "There are three possibilities for the club. One, 100% support for the coach and buy four or five players to build a stronger team with competition among the players to be able to carry on winning matches and trophies.
"Two, carry on like this without a project, without planning, and go ahead with one person to blame, for the whole season.
"The third," he added, "is to speak to my agent to reach an agreement if there is not this support. Simple."
Despite stating Benitez's comments "were not suitable for the situation", Moratti praised Inter's coach for the way he masterminded the Club World Cup win.
"For the moment the Inter fans are happy," said Moratti. "It is not the moment to ask for reinforcements."
The Inter president added: "He [Benitez] managed the game very well, I saw his handywork."
Under former coach Mourinho last season, Inter won the Serie A title, the Italian Cup and the Champions League.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9302348.stm[ 本文被OldSosad在2010-12-23 23:28重新編輯 ]
