Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has admitted the future of boss Rafael Benitez is complicated amid widespread reports the Spaniard has been sacked by the club.
Moratti briefly spoke with reporters at lunchtime on Wednesday when he again denied that Benitez had been shown the exit door. But the 50-year-old looks likely to leave the post after he issued a 'sack me or back me' ultimatum following Inter's victory in the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday.
"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."
After the weekend 3-0 win over African side TP Mazembe, Benitez called for Moratti to back him in the upcoming transfer market after an otherwise poor start to the season.
The five-time reigning Serie A champions sit seventh in the Serie A table, 13 points behind leaders and city rivals AC Milan, while they only qualified second in their Champions League group behind competition debutants Tottenham.
Moratti attended a meeting at the club's offices on Tuesday night, following which he claimed that Benitez was still boss and that no contact had been made with potential replacements. Former AC Milan boss Leonardo has, however, been heavily linked with the post, although Moratti denied any talks between the two parties had taken place.
"I haven't had a way of talking any other coach. I haven't met Leonardo," Moratti added.
Benitez is currently on holiday in Liverpool, with the Italian season now in its winter break, but has since reiterated his stance.
After the Mazembe match the Spaniard, who signed a two-year-deal at Inter after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, said: "There are three possibilities for the club. One, 100% 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. The third," he added, "is to speak to my agent to reach an agreement if there is not this support. Simple."
Source: PA
