Inter Milan confirm Benitez sacking…finally

Inter Milan have finally brought the curtain down on the Rafa Benitez saga by confirming that they have indeed sacked the former Liverpool manager.

Reports of Benitez’s sacking had been circulating all week, but the club refused to confirm the news, despite the fact that it had become patently clear that there was no way Benitez would remain in charge of the Nerazzurri.

He had returned to his home in Liverpool and had reportedly enrolled his children in local schools, while speculation was rife in Italy about the identity of his replacement at the San Siro, with former AC Milan manager and player Leonardo emerging as a favourite.

Inter Milan issued a statement on the matter on their website which read: “Inter and Rafael Benitez would like to communicate that, consensually and with mutual satisfaction, they have reached an agreement for the early resolution of their working relationship”.

Having originally signed a year contract at the club, Benitez is likely to receive a hefty compensation package, only months after receiving a reported £6 million (€7 million) when he departed Liverpool during the summer.

Benitez has returned to his home in Liverpool, and because he remains a popular character with Liverpool supporters, speculation is already mounting that he could replace the struggling Roy Hodgson as manager of the club.