Inter drop Benitez hint

ASKL! SG

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has confirmed he is 'leaning' towards appointing Rafa Benitez as the club's new coach.

Benitez has been among the leading candidates to take over the European champions since Jose Mourinho quit to become coach of Real Madrid.

The Spaniard left his position as Liverpool manager on Thursday and now appears poised for a quick return to coaching with Inter.

Moratti will make a final decision on whether to appoint Benitez over the next few days, but suggested the former Valencia chief is now his No.1 target.

"I can only speak highly of him, because he is very talented," Moratti told the Corriere dello Sport.

"It's true, we are leaning towards Benitez and in the next few days we'll decide."

The Nerazzurri supremo is also hoping that Benitez can emulate the achievements of Mourinho, who led Inter to an unprecedented treble during the past season.

Moratti added: "I know Benitez has a good record against Jose Mourinho, I think he's beaten him five times.

"That's a sign he does his research, works well and above all does not get the big games wrong.

"It is also important that he has already made his mark in Europe. We want to achieve more in this area."

England coach Fabio Capello and Turkey boss Guus Hiddink had also been heavily linked with the Giuseppe Meazza vacancy, but Benitez is now in pole position for a job in Serie A after previously being a target for Juventus.