Rafael Benítez ‘agrees deal to be Inter Milan manager’

All that separates Rafael Benítez from the managerial position at Inter Milan is a ‘technicality’, the club’s president revealed yesterday.

Massimo Moratti, who began the search for Jose Mourinho’s replacement after the Portuguese left the club for Real Madrid, said he expects Benítez to be unveiled as the Serie A club’s new coach later today.

“We have worked out the final details, which weren’t important issues in any case,” Moratti said after an hour-long meeting with Marco Branca, the club’s technical director.

“All that is needed now is a counter-signature,” added the Inter president. “We will let you know when his official presentation will be tomorrow.”

Benítez, 50, left Liverpool last week by ‘mutual consent’ after six years at Anfield prompting Argentina and Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano to suggest that he would be perfectly suited to taking over the San Siro club.

“Only Benitez could take the place of a coach like Mourinho,” said Mascherano last week. “He is a great coach. He has charisma, personality, a winning mentality.”

“Moreover, he will find himself brilliantly in Italy because of the tactical game.”