Confusion over Benitez’s future at Inter Milan

On Tuesday night, Sky Sports reported that Rafa Benitez had been sacked. By Wednesday morning, nobody was quite sure.

Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti insisted that the 50-year-old Spaniard was still in charge, at the same time that Sky Sports reported that he has been sacked as Inter Milan's manager.

Benitez called on the club to back him or sack him following their FIFA Club World Cup triumph, comments Moratti did not take well.

But asked if Benitez was still in charge as he left a meeting at Internazionale's offices in Milan on late on Tuesday night, Moratti said: "Yes, yes. There are no other thoughts. I have heard of and read about contacts being made with other coaches, but the club has not made contact with any other coach and will not until the situation is clarified."

Former AC Milan manager Leonardo has been strongly linked with a move to Inter, but Moratti would not be drawn further on the Brazilian.

Benitez has had a bumpy ride since leaving Liverpool in June and stepping into the designer shoes vacated by Jose Mourinho. This season Inter have been decimated by injuries and are 13 points adrift AC Milan in the Serie A title hunt, having played two less games than their city rivals.

They next take to the field against Napoli on January 6, after the league's winter break. Amid the confusion, it's still unclear whether Benitez will be in charge for that game.