Benitez relaxed about job speculation

Rafael Benitez swatted aside speculation about his future as coach of Champions League holders Inter Milan on Saturday saying that if they go on to lift the ongoing Club World Cup then he will be in the post for a long time.

The 50-year-old Spaniard – who took over at Inter after Jose Mourinho left to take over at Real Madrid – has struggled to convince in his short time at the club and only a fortnight ago he looked to be in real danger until Inter edged out Twente 1-0 to secure their place in the Last 16 of the Champions League.

However, since then defeat in their following Serie A match and a humiliating 3-0 reverse at German side Werder Bremen in the final Champions League match have once again put pressure on the former Liverpool manager.

Benitez, though, remained stoic about his future prospects at a club who enjoyed an unprecedented treble last season under bitter rival Mourinho, landing not only the Champions League but also the domestic double.

“I’ve always been calm and for sure this week could be even better,” said Benitez, who guided Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League but left the club by mutual consent in June.

“There’s talk about all the people who could replace me but I’m still the Inter coach, I want to win this Club World Cup and I’m sure that if I do, I’ll be here for a long time.

“I’ve spoken to the president (Massimo) Moratti both before and after the game (the defeat to Werder) and he said he knew what the situation was (concentrating on the Club World Cup) and that’s enough for me.

“If it’s clear for him then it’s clear for me.”

Benitez, whose side have lost seven matches already this season the same amount that Inter lost in all of last season, said that victory at the World Club Cup would be a vital boost for the club’s flagging morale.

“We’re happy and we’re here to win, if we can do it, it would be important for everyone,” said the Spaniard, who has admittedly suffered from an ever lengthening injury list.

“We’re Inter and we’re here to represent a prestigious club with a lot of support behind us and with players who’ve done very well to be here.”

Benitez, who made his name as a coach at Valencia, said his answer to the crisis was to put in the hours of hard work.

“When a coach gets to this point he has an opportunity in front of him.

“It’s clear that he has only one option: concentrate on winning and the best way to win is to work hard.

“You don’t change your work ethic in one day, I work 14 hours a day for Inter. I’m satisfied and I want to achieve the objective,” added Benitez, who even in that department is outdone by Mourinho who claimed to work 16 hours a day.

Benitez said that it was vital the Italian champions came out of the blocks sprinting when they face the winners of Saturday’s quarter-final between UAE side Al-Ahda and Korean outfit Seongnam Ilhwa.

Brazilian club Internacional will face African champions Tout Puissant Mazembe in the other semi-final.

“It’s important to start the competition well, concentrating most of all on the first match which for us will be our final,” said Benitez.

“Today we’ll watch the game (between and Seongnam Ilhwa) and we’ll see.

“I don’t just respect the Brazilians (Internacional) but I’ve got a lot of respect for all our opponents.

“Even so, I’m sure that if we play well we’ll beat everyone.”