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| Rafael benitez |
Gabriele Marcotti told Sky Sports News HD that Inter Milan are refusing to confirm Rafael Benitez's sacking because they do not want to pay him any compensation.
It was reported on Tuesday that the Italian giants had ended the Spaniard's turbulent six-month stay at the San Siro, following his outburst after The Nerazzurri's victory over Congolese side TP Mazembe in the final of the Club World Cup.
Ex-Liverpool boss Benitez advised Inter president Massimo Moratti to back him in the transfer market or sack him following a difficult start to his Serie A career, which has seen last year's Treble winners languishing in seventh place in the Italian top flight, 13 points behind city rivals AC Milan.
That rant, coupled with poor league form, has seemingly forced the Inter hierarchy's hand.
But Marcotti, writer for The Times and Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, says the club is reluctant to comment on Benitez's departure as they do not want to pay the 50-year-old for such a short stay at the helm.
"Whether we are talking about sacked or resignation, it's clear it's over," said Marcotti. "But Inter have to be careful.
"A person signs a contract and then out of the blue in a post-game press conference goes and makes all sorts of demands based on things that had or hadn't been agreed beforehand. It certainly was not the time or place to do it.
"And Inter don't want to pay him €8million in compensation for four months, so they are being careful about what they say."
Mysterious
However, Marcotti says that Benitez - who was won only 12 of his 25 matches in charge of Inter since taking over from Jose Mourinho in June - still has the respect of many in the football world.
And he insists that the former Valencia chief will find a new job - with a post in England the most likely.
"The infuriating and mysterious thing was that he had full backing from a big part of the Inter support," said Marcotti.
"And the media realised it was unfair to compare him to Jose Mourinho because he didn't buy any players.
"I am sure (Benitez could soon be back in the Premier League). It's tricky because a number of clubs and media really don't like Benitez but there are others who do.
"Can I imagine him back at Liverpool? The ways of football are infinite."
Welcome
As for Inter, Marcotti reckons finances will prohibit them from snaring prime managerial target Luciano Spalletti.
And he says former AC Milan coach Leonardo - who left the Rossoneri at the end of the previous campaign - would be an astute choice, despite his links with the club's arch nemeses.
"The dream would be Luciano Spalletti, but he's at Zenit (St. Petersburg) and it would be very difficult to get him out of the there because of the money involved.
"I would suspect it may be Leonardo, a name that has been gathering steam of late. He's got a past with the red and black half of Milan but I think the Inter fans would welcome him.
"Unlike Benitez, he's not going to want to go and spend money. You could sell him on a medium-term project and building through youth.
