Benitez refutes sacking claims

Rafa Benitez has rubbished reports suggesting he has been sacked as coach of Serie A club Inter Milan.

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport ran a story on Monday morning claiming that Inter president Massimo Moratti had lost patience with Benitez and was set to replace him with Zenit St Petersburg boss Luciano Spalletti.

Moratti further fuelled talk of Benitez’s demise by refusing to comment when quizzed by reporters, saying: “I am not talking today; I don’t want to create an argument with anyone.”

The incessant speculation has forced Benitez to address the situation directly, saying he has not been fired, but is uncertain what future awaits him at the San Siro.

“They haven’t sacked me. Many people have called me after seeing the newspapers and they have asked if I have been sacked,” Benitez told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“It’s not true. I am surprised it has been given as fact. I am on holiday to rest. It has been months now that I have heard and read things that aren’t true.”

“I don’t exactly know what the situation is. The president has to take a decision on the line he wants to follow. I am not the boss of my future.”

“But as long as I am here, I will work to the maximum because we can keep winning.”

Benitez led Inter to the FIFA Club World Cup trophy on Saturday and used his post-match press conference to level a ‘back me or sack me’ ultimatum to Moratti and the club’s board.

“There are three possibilities (for the club),” Benitez told reporters after Inter’s 3-0 win over TP Mazembe.

“One, 100 percent 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 getting to May this way.”

“The third is to speak to my agent, reach an agreement if there is not this support. Simple.”

Benitez has endured a torrid time at the San Siro since replacing Jose Mourinho in the off-season.

The former Liverpool boss has led the European champions to a disappointing seventh on the Serie A table so far, 13 points adrift of rivals and league leaders AC Milan.