Benitez will stay at Inter, says agent

The agent for Rafael Benitez has poured cold water on speculation the under-fire Inter Milan boss may soon depart the San Siro.

Benitez issued an ultimatum on Saturday, using his post-match press conference following Inter’s Club World Cup triumph to demand ‘four or five players’ in the January transfer window.

Otherwise, the 50-year-old told reporters that Inter President Massimo Moratti could ‘speak to his agent’ about releasing him from his contract.

But agent Emanuel Garcia Quilon has dismissed talk Benitez is preparing to resign from the Serie A giants.

“Benitez will stay at Inter 100 percent,” Quilon told Radio Sportiva.

“I spoke to him last night, he said he is relaxed and is celebrating with his family.”

Speculation in Italy is growing that Inter are seeking to replace Benitez, who has overseen a disappointing league campaign since taking over from Barcelona boss Jose Mourinho.

Inter are seventh on the table, 13 points behind leaders AC Milan, and have won just three of their past 11 fixtures.

England manager Fabio Capello is firming as an ideal candidate, while Zenit St. Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti has also been linked to the club.

Benitez’s future is being hampered by growing divisions within the club, with veteran pair Marco Materazzi and Dejan Stankovic launching separate attacks on their boss following the 3-0 win over TP Mazembe.

Materazzi spent the final on the bench, and was so incensed he refused to celebrate with his team-mates.

Asked to comment on Benitez’s future, Materazzi said the club comes before the manager.

“Change Benitez? It’s the club, which is the strongest in the world, that decides,” the centre-back told Sky Sports Italia.

“It is thanks to the club that we are world champions. Inter come above all else.”

Stankovic, meanwhile, admitted he was disappointed with Benitez for not starting him in the final.

“The fact I didn’t play from the start is an open wound,” Stankovic said.

“I am very happy for the trophy we had been missing for four decades, for the president, the staff and all those close to us, but I cannot hide I was upset.”

“I have always played with my heart and presented myself with heart. I wanted to be there from the start.”