I caused the wrath of several TV cameramen on Tuesday when I dashed out of Roberto Mancini’s post-match news conference, and right infront of their shot, to tell the world he was quitting Italian champions Inter at the end of the season.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who had just seen his side beat Inter 1-0 away to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, heard about Mancini’s shock departure only moments afterwards when he entered the press room.
Asked if he would be interested in the Inter job, he simply smiled and said: “I’m very happy.”
Quite what that meant no one was sure, but Liverpool deserved their 3-0 aggregrate victory even if it owed something to Inter being reduced to 10 men in both legs.
Benitez went on to say how much easier the Champions League is than the mighty Premier League these days. Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea make it tough to win domestically, he said, before stating that he didn’t care who Liverpool got in Friday’s draw. (Despite the fact those three are also in the hat as English football again dominates Europe. Liverpool beat Chelsea in the 2005 and 2007 semi-finals, though, remember)
There is one way Benitez can overcome the Premier League top three — move to Inter. His Italian in the news conference was surprisingly good.
Mark Meadows, Milan
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5 comments so far
Mark,
It is interesting to see the way you have spun Benitez’s comments. You made it seem as though he was rather aloof and might indeed be considering a move away from Liverpool. Had you used the entire quote rather that reducing it to simply “I’m happy”, perhaps you would have given your readers a clearer picture of the intended meaning behind what Benitez said, rather than your take on it.
“I am happy at Liverpool and happy with my team and being in the Champions League quarter-finals.”
It is interesting that you choose to say that no one knew quite what Benitez meant, given that he seems to have made his meaning quite clear.
I guess a manager pleased with his position doesn’t make a very good story though, does it?
- Posted by Bryanplease Roberto Mancini don’t quit.
- Posted by Football TransferHi Bryan, Benitez did indeed say those quotes when asked a second time.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsHowever, he did not say he was not interested in the Inter job and the English press in the room got very excited.
In reality Im sure he does want to stay at Liverpool, even given the uncertainty with the owners.
Mancini’s shock decision just goes to show how different Serie A and the Premier League are. Managers in Italy make sudden decisions like this quite often while Premier League bosses tend to stick around longer.
now it seems Mancini might be staying, but no one is really sure. Welcome to the wacky world of italian soccer
- Posted by Mark MeadowsI actually heard that Benitez said that although Liverpool are in a good position, they are not the favorites to win the Champions League.
- Posted by Premier League