Soccer:Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has confirmed Rafael Benitez is the number one choice to take over the reins of the European Champions.
Speculation has been rife that Benitez is to be Jose Mourinho’s successor since the Spaniard left Liverpool by mutual consent on Thursday, with Italian media expecting a deal to be completed by tomorrow.
And Moratti has confirmed they are set for talks with Benitez over the next few days.
Benitez’s six-year at Anfield ended following a difficult season in which the Reds finished seventh in the Premier League and failed to get past the Champions League group stages.
However, the 50-year-old has enjoyed success in Europe, notably in 2005 when he steered Liverpool to the Champions League trophy with a memorable victory over Inter’s bitter rivals AC Milan.
Benitez is also the coach who has inflicted the most number of defeats on Mourinho, a fact of which Moratti is well aware.
The Inter chief added: “I know, I know. He beat him five times, right?
“It is a sign that he is prepared, that he works well and that he doesn’t make mistakes in important games.”
Reports suggest Inter director Marco Branca is on his way to Sardinia to meet with Benitez who is currently on holiday on the Italian island.