Source: Liverpool_Echo
Former Liverpool FC boss Rafael Benitez ‘not sacked’ but strain is showing at Inter Milan
RAFAEL BENITEZ'S future at Inter Milan remains shrouded in mystery, as the Spaniard headed back to Merseyside denying claims he had been sacked by the Italian giants.[LNB]The ex-Liverpool boss is under increasing pressure at the San Siro. A run of one win in six games has seen Inter slip to seventh place in Serie A, 13 points behind leaders, and city rivals, AC Milan. They are further away from the top of the table than at any point since December 2000.[LNB]On Sunday, Inter defeated African champions TP Mazembe 3-0 in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, to claim the club's fifth trophy of the calendar year, but reports in Italy subsequently claimed Benitez had been sacked, after he publicly called on president Massimo Moratti to sign 'four or five players' in January. It is believed he has now returned to his home in Wirral.[LNB]Moratti refused to comment on Monday in order to 'avoid creating controversies', but speaking to radio reporters yesterday, Benitez has now expressed his surprise at the stories, and insisted he would be returning to the club after spending Christmas with his family.[LNB] 'They haven't sacked me, it is not true,' said Benitez. 'I am surprised to see this has been given as fact. I am on holiday, I will return within a week.'[LNB]Benitez's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon later backed up the claim, saying: 'Benitez is under contract with Inter and the situation is the same as it was before.[LNB]'Benitez said what he said and he does not need to explain himself further. 'I have not been contacted by anyone.'
