Benitez saga ´a mess´, says Moratti

Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti has labelled the circumstances surrounding manager Rafael Benitez’s future as ‘a mess’.

Benitez prompted widespread speculation about his future after he issued a ‘back me or sack me’ ultimatum to Moratti following Inter’s Club World Cup triumph over the weekend.

The former Liverpool manager was reported to have been sacked on Tuesday but the news was not confirmed by Inter, while Moratti’s press conference on Wednesday did little to ease the confusion.

“We are trying to understand what’s going on, this situation is a bit of a mess,” Moratti said.

“Everything that happened was a bit unexpected, we are considering every point of view.”

Asked if Benitez was still in charge of the club, Moratti responded: “Up to now, he is.”

Former AC Milan boss Leonardo was tipped to succeed Benitez, but Moratti said that he has not spoken to any managers about a move to the San Siro.

“I haven’t had a way of talking with any other coach. I haven’t met Leonardo,” he said.

Benitez has come under heavy pressure after reigning Italian and European champions Inter slumped to seventh in the Serie A standings, 13 points behind arch-rivals AC Milan who top the league.