Inter mission confirmed as Benitez set for the San Siro

INTER MILAN president Massimo Moratti last night confirmed Rafael Benitez has agreed a deal to become the club’s new coach.

Moratti revealed negotiations with Benitez had not taken place in person and said the Spaniard was due to arrive in Milan this week ahead of finalising his move to the European champions.

The Inter president revealed an announcement would be made today to confirm when Benitez would be unveiled as Jose Mourinho’s successor at the San Siro.

“We have agreed the final details, which were not important things,” Moratti said in a statement on the Inter website. “All that is needed now is a counter-signature.

“Tomorrow we will tell you when he will be presented.”

Benitez has been in talks with the European champions since his six-year spell as Liverpool manager was ended by mutual consent last week.

Moratti revealed on Monday that a deal with the 50-year-old had been “more or less done” and had been confident the details would be finalised today.

Reports in Italy had suggested Benitez would sign a three-year deal worth €5 million per season, but Moratti dismissed those claims as “off track” in terms of “duration and the amount”.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano believes the Spaniard is the ideal fit for Inter.

“Only Benitez could take the place of a coach like Mourinho,’’ said Mascherano.

“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. Rafa studies everything on the table and directs the team from the bench like an orchestra conductor.

“After Mourinho, he is the only man capable of continuing Inter’s winning run.’’

Benitez may wish to take his Anfield assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco de Miguel with him to the San Siro, with Italian Amedeo Carboni – who played under Benitez as a midfielder at Valencia – also touted as a possible backroom addition.

Benitez still had four years to run on his Liverpool contract but left after the Reds could only manage seventh place in the Barclays Premier League last season.

Liverpool also suffered early exits in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.

Benitez had previously been linked with Real Madrid, but they filled their managerial vacancy by wooing Mourinho from Inter after he took them to the treble last season.