Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti said he would be open to former coach Jose Mourinho one day returning to the club.

Moratti was speaking in reply to Real Madrid coach Mourinho having claimed earlier that he could see himself returning to coach in Italy again some day.

But while Moratti wasn’t ruling out such a possibility, he said that doesn’t mean he doesn’t trust Mourinho’s successor, Rafael Benitez.

“Everything’s possible but I’m counting on Benitez and I hope he does well because I believe in him,” he told Sky Sport.

“Mourinho also said these things about Chelsea, it’s a cute thing to say but you can’t have nostalgia in life otherwise we should be thinking about (legendary Inter coach Helenio) Herrera.

“We love Mourinho and we’re grateful for what he did but now Benitez is at Inter to do well and we hope to be grateful to him too.”

Inter Milan’s Brazilian teenage talent Coutinho has pleaded not to be dubbed the new Ronaldinho as he begins his Italian adventure.

Coutinho has been much hyped in Italy since Inter bought him two years ago from Vasco da Gama when he was just 16.

He remained in Brazil until this season as Italian league rules stipulate that a foreigner cannot play for an Italian team until he has turned 18.

And as Coutinho plays in a similar ‘trequartista’ position between forwards and midfielders, the comparisons with AC Milan’s Ronaldinho were inevitable.

But Coutinho wants to nip those in the bud straight away.

“I’m just Coutinho, a kid who’s getting better. Ronaldinho is an extra-terrestrial who’s won everything,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He is football. If we have a similarity it’s maybe that we like to start on the left and head for goal.

“But please don’t get us confused. I’d be happy to achieve half of his success.”

But while Coutinho is star-struck by his compatriot, he is also highly impressed by one of his own club team-mates: Wesley Sneijder.

“He deserves the Golden Ball, I watch him in training and I’m enchanted, he’s a legend.

“I’m trying to steal his secret, his speed of thought. His head flies, he sees things before the ball arrives. I need to be quick like Sniejder.”

As for the future, Coutinho is hoping to form part of an attacking trident in the Brazil team to rival the great Ronaldo-Ronaldinho-Rivaldo combination that guided the Selecao to the World Cup in 2002.

Coutinho, Milan’s Pato and Neymar of Santos are three youngsters for whom Brazil has high hopes.

“It would be a great trident but as for a central striker, pay attention to Andre at Dynamo Kiev.

“And you’re forgetting Robinho, another phenomenon. Milan have made a great signing there.”

Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he rejected a possible move to Manchester City over the summer.

Ibrahimovic completed an initially loan move from Barcelona to AC Milan last week. The deal could turn into a permanent move next summer.

Manchester City were heavily linked with a move for the former Inter Milan striker over the summer.

“City must fight Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal – sides which took years to build,” said Ibrahimovic.

“City are still a side for the future. I chose Milan because they are a team that can win prizes now.

“City can wait for the future but I can’t.”

[Source: Tuttosport]

Former skipper Patrick Vieira has confirmed that he has pulled the curtain down on his international career with France and will concentrate on performing for his club Manchester City whom he joined in January.

The former Inter Milan and Arsenal player had hoped to be included in the French World Cup squad for South Africa but was left out by coach Raymond Domenech.

Even though Domenech has now left and been replaced by Vieira’s former teammate in the national side Laurent Blanc, the big midfielder insisted he has no plans to revive his international career.

“My focus is on City, nothing else. I want to do my best for the club. I want to repay the trust of the manager (Roberto Mancini), Brian (Marwood, football administration officer) and Garry Cook (chief executive),” he said.

France imploded in South Africa, falling at the first hurdle after the players boycotted a training session in protest at Nicolas Anelka being sent home.

The Chelsea striker headed back to London after a row with Domenech became public knowledge.

Vieira was saddened at the way events unfolded, adding on City’s official website: “I was there watching the games, hoping that France would do well. Obviously, they didn’t.

“I’m disappointed like every French person who loves the national team. It was difficult not being with the team, but I didn’t have the choice.

“It was a difficult moment. I think France are going through a tough period. We were expecting them to at least go through from the group to the first knockout round but they didn’t do it.”

Argentina forward Diego Milito on Friday described the World Cup as strange and admitted he has been surprised at some of the results.

France and Italy, the finalists from the 2006 World Cup, have already bitten the dust while England, Germany and Spain all reached their final games with their passage to the knock-out stages in doubt.

And while Argentina cruised through their group with three wins out of three, even they could have gone out had they lost significantly in their final match against Greece.

Ahead of their second round clash with Mexico on Sunday, Milito spoke of his shock.

“It’s a World Cup of surprises, I was surprised that Italy were knocked out in the first round,” said Inter Milan striker Milito.

“France, too, with their great players. It’s a fairly strange World Cup but the South American teams are having a good competition.”

Given his first start in the tournament, Milito had a frustrating time in the 2-0 win over Greece before being replaced by Martin Palermo despite coming into the competition off the back of a stunning season with the Italian champions.

“It’s difficult to explain. At Inter I played many games up front but the other day it was very difficult due to the Greeks’ tactical plan,” he said.

“But I’m working hard every day, I’m at peace with myself. Sometimes things go well, sometimes not, that’s the key.”

Four years ago Argentina also played Mexico and won thanks to a Maxi Rodriguez goal.

Now the Liverpool winger is dreaming of repeating the feat.

“That’s a great memory but the victory of the team is the most important memory,” he said.

“But that game is history now and we’re playing against a different team that is playing well.”

Reigning Russian champions Rubin Kazan have completed the signing of Moldovan striker Alexandru Antoniuc from FC Zimbru Chişinău. The 21 year old has signed a four year contract with Rubin and joins compatriot Ilie Cebanu at the Tsentralnyi Stadion.

Rubin have won the Russian Premier League for the last two seasons and will begin their quest for a hat trick of titles next month against PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara.

Rubin gave a good account of themselves in last season’s Champions League. They were in a tough group that also included eventual champions Inter Milan, semifinalists Barcelona and Ukrainian powerhouse Dynamo Kyiv.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has hinted he would be open to a move to Inter Milan should former Reds coach Rafael Benitez wish to be reunited with him.

The Argentina international, currently on FIFA World Cup™ duty, is reportedly a £25million target for the Italian giants, who appointed Benitez as Jose Mourinho’s successor last week. Mascherano, in remarks reported by the Daily Star, said: “Me to Inter? Ask Benitez. He is the one who knows more.

“Rafa is my teacher. I learned so much from him since I came to play in Europe. I am learning Italian, but I don’t know anything about Inter. Does Benitez want me? You should ask him as he would know more than me.”

The player’s agent, Marco Piccioli indicated a move is close and told reporters: “There has already been a first contact with (Inter sporting director) Marco Branca. We are evaluating the move hard and in the next few days we will have a new meeting to better establish the details of this transfer deal.”

New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is ready to make a move for Liverpool defender Glen Johnson this summer.

Mourinho is keen on signing the right-back and is ready to make a £15million bid for the England international.

Mourinho’s first choice for right-back is reportedly Inter Milan star Maicon, but the European champions are desperate to keep the defender at the club.

The former Chelsea boss does not have a good relationship with Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez and it is believed the Italians will reject any approaches for the Brazilian.

Johnson joined Liverpool in an £18million move from Portsmouth.

Cagliari have announced they have released Massimiliano Allegri from his contract “following a request from AC Milan”, leaving him free to take over the reins of the Serie A giants. (more…)

New Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has insisted comparisons with predecessor Jose Mourinho were wide of the mark. Benitez was today unveiled as the new Inter boss following his departure from Liverpool and Mourinho’s switch to Real Madrid. (more…)