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Inter chairman: Benitez deal ‘more or less done’
As Rafa closes on Milan role, Moratti says reports of pay are exaggerated
Rafael Benitez may be joining Inter Milan, but he's not getting the huge pay packet the Italian newspapers have been suggesting, according to the club’s president, Massimo Moratti.
Benitez left Liverpool by mutual consent last Thursday and is expected to sign at the San Siro today.
Reports had suggested the Spaniard would sign a three-year deal worth €5m per season to take on Jose Mourinho's old role after the Special One's departure to manage Real Madrid. But now Moratti says such speculation is mistaken. "Whoever wrote that is off the track… for the duration and the amount," he told Italian media.
Moratti also poured cold water on rumours that Benitez would be bringing three of his staff with him when he arrives at Inter - assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, fitness coach Paco de Miguel and goalkeeping specialist Xavi Valero. Moratti said these reports were "fortunately wrong".
He added: "I read frightening numbers [of assistants] but in reality they will be numbers which belong to the norm of other coaches we have contracted in the past.”
But Moratti left no doubt that Benitez will become Inter's manager, saying: "The deal is more or less done. It's not sealed yet because you don't sign something before hearing what you're signing, but we decisively targeted Benitez from the beginning and he is the person we consider most useful for the continuity of Inter at the same level." ·
