Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Juventus Set To End Pursuit Of Benitez

The Liverpool Echo claims that Italian giants Juventus will not appoint Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez in the end, despite constant speculation that he would move to Turin.

Benitez has made his frustration over the future direction of Liverpool clear and last week met with new chairman Martin Broughton to seek assurances. Juventus have been closely linked to Benitez for months and were thought to have made concrete offers to the Spaniard.

However, the Liverpool Echo claims that incoming Juventus president Andrea Agnelli favours the appointment of Sampdoria coach Luigi Del Nieri, speculating that he could be announced as the successor to Alberto Zaccheroni this week.

Should this prove to be the case, Benitez's Anfield future is still in doubt. If Jose Mourinho leaves Inter Milan, Benitez's name will no doubt be linked to the San Siro. Although Benitez has four years remaining on his Liverpool contract, it would seem unlikely that he will stay at Anfield without a firm financial basis with which to strengthen his squad.

Given that unpopular American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have put the club up for sale, this is far from certain.

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