Those who were perplexed as to why a man with a £16 million buy-out would settle for £6 million had their questions answered today as Internazionale confirmed the hiring of Rafa Benitez as their new manager.
Inter Milan Confirms Signing Of Rafa Benitez
Last week, Benitez reached agreement with Liverpool to terminate his contract at Anfield. At the time, it was said Benitez was in line to replace José Mourinho at the European Champions. With today’s announcement, Benitez is set to take on his first managerial job in Italy, having previously coached at Valencia, Tenerife, Osasuna, Valladolid (amongst others) in addition to Liverpool.
Benitez just finished his sixth season at Anfield, finishing in seventh place – his worst finish in the position. After winning the Champions League in 2004-05 and the FA Cup the following season, Liverpool has been without major trophies and decided to let Benitez go.
The Spaniard moves to Inter, who are coming off a league, cup, Europe treble under Jose Mourinho. Mourinho completed a move to Real Madrid last week, a position with which Benitez has long been linked. Benitez managed Real Madrid youth and B-sides from 1989 to 1995 before moving to Real Valladolid.
Now, Benitez replaces Mourinho, with Internazional president Massimo Moratti confirmed that Benitez had agreed, but not signed, a deal:
“We have worked out the final details, which weren’t important issues in any case,” Moratti told Inter’s official website. “We will let you know when his official presentation will be tomorrow.”
Moratti said the deal was still awaiting Benítez’s signature, but only because the manager is not yet in Italy.
“They are completely wrong,” added Moratti of reports that Benítez had already been seen in Milan.
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