Benitez expected Ranieri to go

Former Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez was not surprised when he learned Claudio Ranieri had been sacked by the Serie A club.

Ranieri was dismissed this week following a form slump which saw Inter win just twice from 13 matches in all competitions.

Inter sit eighth on the Serie A table, 10 points behind third-placed Lazio, and look all but certain to miss out on Champions League qualification.

Benitez was given his marching orders by the club in December 2010 after also failing to impress.

And the Spaniard said it is hardly a surprise Inter are now searching for their third coach this season.

“It was not an unexpected decision,” Benitez told Radio Mana Mana.

“What (Massimo) Moratti does now does not surprise me at all,” he added, referring to Inter’s president.

“He decided to sack Ranieri, that was his decision and that is all there is to say.”

While Inter have struggled, Napoli continue to exceed expectations, and sit fourth on the table, three points back from Lazio.

“Napoli have had a great season, while always using the same players,” Benitez said.

“If you have quality players and the squad can tactically support it, the squad rotation can always be done. Otherwise, at this level, it is not possible.”

Inter will play their first match under interim coach Andrea Stramaccioni at home to Genoa on Sunday.

Napoli are away at title-chasing Juventus later on the same day.