Italian media say Inter set to fire coach Benitez

Inter are set to fire coach Rafael Benitez, but first want to slash his compensation payment according to the Italian press.

The Spaniard, who has struggled since becoming coach of the Italian champions six months ago, all but sealed his fate with a verbal outburst against the club’s management after winning the club World Cup in Abu Dhabi last week.

He accused his bosses of failing to support him in the transfer market and accused the players of taking their own decisions.

Inter president Massimo Moratti was reported to be furious over the remarks and wanted to fire Benitez even though the dismissal of the former Liverpool boss, who took over from Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, could cost the club between four and eight million euros.

Gazzetta dello Sport reported yesterday that Inter had written to Benitez upbraiding him for his outburst and accusing the Spaniard of failing to meet his responsibilities as a coach possibly opening the door to a reduced compensation payment.

Despite the media suggesting the axe could fall today, Moratti yesterday said there would be no further immediate developments on the affair that has gripped Italy’s sporting press.

“Nothing more will happen today, I won’t be speaking to anyone else,” Moratti, who wants to hold talks with Benitez to get his explanation for last weekend’s outburst, insisted.

Moratti denied the club were investigating ways to reduce Benitez’s pay-off.

“No, we are seeking to understand, this affair has become confused, it’s been very surprising, we want to analyse it.”

And in answer to the burning question of the hour, was Benitez still coach of Inter, he said: “Up to now, he is (coach).”

According to Gazzetta dello Sport Inter are angling to replace Benitez by Brazilian Leonardo.

Hodgson unconcerned

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson said he is unconcerned by the presence of predecessor Benitez in Merseyside as some fans agitated for the Spaniard’s return to Anfield.

This week has seen Benitez back at the house he has kept on the Wirral, near Liverpool in north-west England, since leaving the Reds and supporters plastered the gates outside that property with banners pleading for him to come back to Anfield following the club’s dismal start to the season.

Liverpool are currently ninth in the Premier League table – 12 points behind leaders and bitter rivals Manchester United.

Hodgson, who quit Premier League side Fulham to take charge at Liverpool, has so far failed to win over a significant section of the Anfield faithful but has, so far at least, retained the confidence of the club’s new American owners who took charge in October.

And the Englishman, responding to a question as to whether he felt under any extra pressure given Benitez’s return to Merseyside, replied yesterday: “None at all, no.”

Hodgson added it would be extraordinary were Benitez to return to the Liverpool hot seat this season after such a short time away.

“You’d have to ask the owners about that. It would be surprising,” he said.

“If he was the right man for the job it would have been wiser not to let him go for six months and then have to bring him back again.”