Benitez and Inter in talks to end tenure

In the first clear acknowledgement that the Spaniard's time at the San Siro is all but up, his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon confirmed to Sky Sport Italia that recent meetings at the club were about ending his tenure.

"We are talking about it, but I cannot say anything more," Quilon said.

The agent had just emerged from a meeting with Inter vice-president Rinaldo Ghelfi and technical director Marco Branca, as well as the club lawyer Angelo Capellini.

"We are neither optimistic nor pessimistic," he added. "We will meet again to talk more."

With Benitez back in Liverpool, speculation has been rife that he has been dismissed, but Inter have denied the story thus far, with club president Massimo Moratti last night describing the situation as "a bit of a mess" that the club are "trying to understand".

Former AC Milan boss Leonardo has, however, been heavily linked with the post.