Benitez 12/1 to return to Anfield after parting ways with Inter
Published:Rafa Benitez is just 12/1 to be appointed as Liverpool manager again in the next five years after having his contract terminated at Inter Milan.
Benitez just about survived six months at the San Siro after replacing Jose Mourinho in the summer, but seemed set to struggle to get anywhere close to matching the accomplishments of the current Real Madrid boss.
Mourinho guided Inter to the treble of the Serie A title, Italian Cup and Champions League last season.
Meanwhile, Benitez squeezed into the knockout stages of the Champions League and left Inter 13 points off top spot in Serie A, although they do have two games in hand.
This has resulted in Inter’ early season odds-on quote to win the Serie A title, now drifting to 5/1.
Inter owner Massimo Moratti is now in the middle of negotiating Benitez’ payoff and all formalities are expected to be completed in the next 24 hours.
Leonardo is in line to be Benitez’ replacement, although England manager Fabio Capello and current Zenit St Petersburg boss Luciano Spalletti are also among the frontrunners.
The news may spark Liverpool fans to push for a Benitez return to Anfield after six relatively successful years on Merseyside.
Roy Hodgson’s start at Liverpool has not been a blazing success as the club are 12 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United, although they have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.
However, Benitez may follow in the footsteps of another former Liverpool boss and return to Premier League management at a different club.
Gerard Houllier is still finding his feet after being appointed at Aston Villa in the summer and it is 5/1 in the betting odds that he manages another Premier League club before the end of the 2014/15 season.
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