Bets taken on Benitez's future at Inter (News Feature)

By Alberto Cagliano Nov 22, 2010, 14:34 GMT

Rome - The guessing game was in full swing Monday in Italian media and sports bars where football experts debated Rafael Benitez's chances of remaining on the bench of European champions Inter Milan.

Those set on firing the Spaniard had a further, and harder issue to handle as they tried to imagine the possible choice of club president Massimo Moratti.

Commentator and former Juventus player Massimo Mauro sided with Benitez, explaining his recent two draws and two defeats with 'an incredible series of injuries and bad luck, also against Chievo (on Sunday), but this is not enough to explain the nine-point deficit from (leaders AC) Milan.'

Despite his sympathy for Benitez, Mauro still joined the choir of predictors, hinting on repubblica.it at Luciano Spalletti as a likely substitute, 'a clever coach, who wants to return to Italy (after the Russian title won with Zenit) and could be ideal for Moratti's team.'

Moratti began showing his disappointment after a 1-0 defeat to Milan a week ago, and grew gloomier after the 2-1 defeat to midtable Chievo.

He confirmed his confidence in Benitez, but added that Inter must 'try to get a good result with Twente (in the Champions League). We must understand that Wednesday's match is important. It takes grit, otherwise we will get nothing.'

A win against the Dutch champions would allow Inter to qualify for the knock-out phase with a game left, but Benitez will have to reach the goal with more than 10 players missing at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Things will likely get worse in the Serie A, where top scorer Samuel Eto'o faces a long suspension after head-butting a Chievo opponent.

'There are many absences that make a change of course impossible,' Moratti said. 'We keep going, trying to face the home league and the continental cup.'

Also inclined to keep Benitez is former Inter star Sandro Mazzola, who during a Radio 1 show said that 'Inter are drained from two years with Jose Mourinho, (drained) in their minds more than physically.'

Mazzola said he believes that the past season, 'always played at the maximum' with triumphs in Champions League, Italian cup and Serie A, 'has left its mark and Inter are paying for their efforts.'

Mazzola sees Benitez staying at Inter at least until the Club World Cup, where Inter are playing from December 15 to 18, while others foresee a more immediate change, particularly if he botches the game with Twente.

Beside Spalletti, the currently unemployed Brazilian Leonardo is considered a good candidate after a good debut season with Milan last year.

Argentine Diego Simeone, on the pitch with the Nerazzurri in the 1990s, could be a good match with the many compatriots, despite his limited experience.

An old dream of Moratti is Fabio Capello, who certainly does not lack a background, but has a contract with the English national team.

Also under contract, with Porto, is the young Andre Villas Boas, who could bring back a coaching style he learnt in five seasons as assistant to Mourinho.

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