Inter Milan eyeing sacked Benitez as replacement for ‘Special One’

Milan, June 4(ANI): Italian football giants Inter Milan have publicly praised Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, increasing the possibilities of the sacked Spaniard taking over at the San Siro.

Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti is understood to have identified Benitez as his “ideal candidate” and first choice to replace Jose Mourinho following his six million pound pay-off as Liverpool manager.

“We really like Rafa Benitez. He has been in our favour since the Champions League final in Istanbul [in 2005],” The Sun quoted Gabriele Oriali, Inter director, as saying.

Mourinho, who led Inter to an unprecedented treble of Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League, decided to leave the club and join Real Madrid to fulfil his dream of becoming the only coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs.

Benitez’s six-year reign at the Anfield was over, when he was sacked following Liverpool’s worst Premier League season since 1999.

The decision was taken after Liverpool Chairman Martin Broughton and Managing Director Christian Purslow held talks with Benitez, and came to the conclusion that he had lost the support of senior players at the club. (ANI)

Soccer-Real Madrid unveil new coach Mourinho

May 31 (Reuters) – Real Madrid unveiled Jose Mourinho as their new coach at a news conference on Monday.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Inter upset as Mourinho steals limelight in finest hour

Inter Milan should be basking in the glory of a record-breaking season but instead the manner of Jose Mourinho’s departure has left a nasty taste in the mouth.

A first Champions League triumph since 1965 and an unprecedented Italian treble have been overshadowed by Mourinho’s unashamed desire to join Real Madrid and his verbal volleys against what he saw as the cynical Italian game.

The outspoken Portuguese all but announced he was leaving for Real when Inter were still celebrating on the pitch after their 2-0 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich last Saturday.

Winning the most-coveted of trophies at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium only served to increase the drama which envelopes the brash former Chelsea coach, leading fans around the world to love him and hate him in equal measure.

Inter president Massimo Moratti, who on Friday agreed a compensation deal to allow Mourinho to join Real, had very little time to enjoy his team’s stunning achievements.

“Certainly his timing was not great,” Moratti, who sees England coach Fabio Capello and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson as potential replacements, told reporters.

“Both for him and the fans, he could have opted for a course of action a little different.”

Mourinho cried when Inter wrapped up a fifth straight Serie A title on the final day of the season against Siena and the waterworks from the usually cool coach were also on full power after the Bayern game.

He has spoken often of his attachment to the Inter team and fans, despite his hatred of the Italian media and soccer establishment, but his swift departure was not a surprise given he did the same thing when leaving Porto for Chelsea in 2004 following their European Cup success.

Despite not managing to fully appreciate his club’s moment of glory because of Mourinho, Moratti would not have swapped his coach for the world given what they have achieved.

The club president knew he was signing a livewire when Mourinho rolled up two years ago.

“He worked hard, seriously, with all his soul and he won so much. This situation does not ruin at all my esteem and friendliness towards him as a person. The door is always open,” Moratti added.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Real secure Mourinho as coach after Inter deal

Real Madrid will present Jose Mourinho as their coach on Monday after agreeing an undisclosed compensation deal with Inter Milan, the Spanish club said on Friday.

Inter president Massimo Moratti and his Real counterpart Florentino Perez met to thrash out details of the package that will free Mourinho to leave and join the nine-times European champions after a treble-winning season in Italy.

While Spanish and Italian media reported that Inter would receive eight million euros ($9.80 million), a statement from the Italian champions said: “Real will eventually have to pay all the clause in the contract.”

Inter added that exchange of players could form part of the deal.

Mourinho led Inter to three trophies last season, culminating in their Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich at Real’s Bernabeu Stadium.

Real turned to him after sacking Manuel Pellegrini this week following a season with no trophies for a team that had 250 million euros spent on it last summer.

“We are convinced that we need a fresh impulse and we are convinced that Jose Mourinho is the right person to take on the job,” Perez said at the time.

The move for Mourinho marks a change in direction for Perez, who has preferred to invest money in the world’s best players rather than high-profile coaches in the past.

STRONG MAN

“(We looked to Mourinho) for his prestige, for the personality he has, for his great ability to absorb the pressure and for the leadership Madrid needs,” Perez’s right-hand man Jorge Valdano said in a radio interview earlier on Friday.

“We lacked a strong man in a moment of transition like this.”

Real tripped up in the big games last season, losing in the ‘clasicos’ against Barcelona and in the Champions League first knockout round against Olympique Lyon.

Mourinho, 47, has a reputation as a motivator, is a great tactician and is strong enough to ride out the inevitable ups and downs of managing a side under the local media’s microscope.

With Porto he won the UEFA Cup and the European Cup in 2004, and he won back-to-back league titles with Chelsea before moving to Italy.

He will be expected to get the most out of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo but is likely to demand more of a say in planning at the club.

Pellegrini spoke of being isolated from the decision-making process when it came to planning the team, and Jose Antonio Camacho walked out on the club in 2004 complaining of interference in team affairs from above.

Spanish media have already speculated that Real will move back into the transfer market, with Inter’s Brazilian fullback Maicon and Benfica’s Argentine winger Angel Di Maria among the names linked with the club.

(Editing by Clare Fallon and Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Mourinho looms large as Real ditch Pellegrini

Jose Mourinho was poised to become Real Madrid coach on Wednesday after the Spanish giants sacked Manuel Pellegrini.

Following weeks of frantic media speculation, the La Liga giants ditched Chilean Pellegrini in favour of the flamboyant Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to the Champions League title and Italian league and cup double last season.

Real president Florentino Perez told a news conference in the bowels of the Bernabeu stadium, scene of Inter’s Champions League triumph last weekend, that the 47-year-old Portuguese would join Real once his contract termination had been agreed.

“I am ready to admit to some mistakes but the hiring of Mourinho, one of the world’s best coaches, is an opportunity that this Real Madrid, who always fight for excellence, could not afford to miss,” Perez said.

“We are absolutely convinced that we need a fresh impulse and that a coach like Mourinho can be the person to take charge of the squad for the next few years.

“Madrid bets on stability but stability for the fans is winning and being leaders. Stability is not about keeping on a coach.”

Perez said he hoped to complete the deal for Mourinho soon, adding that he had not yet spoken to the former Porto and Chelsea coach about potential additions to the squad.

ROCK SOLID

Mourinho, the self-styled “Special One”, made no secret of his desire to take over at Real after becoming only the third coach to win the European Cup with two different teams having triumphed with Porto in 2004.

“Few have the privilege of winning it,” he said after Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 to seal their first European Cup in 45 years.

“I can win a third, a fourth, a fifth time but I don’t think the feelings will be different,” he said.

Mourinho built Inter into a compact team with a rock-solid defence and a deadly counter-attack but was criticised for playing too defensively, a tactic that will not go down well at Real where the emphasis is on flair and entertainment.

He will work under the demanding management trio of Perez, director general Jorge Valdano and sporting director Miguel Pardeza but made it clear this week that he would be the one calling the shots.

“The president is not the one who wins, he’s not the one who plays and nor does he decide who is in the team and who is on the bench,” Mourinho told Marca sports daily.

SPECTACULAR PROJECT

Pellegrini left Villarreal to join Real last June, becoming the cornerstone of Perez’s big-money bid to bring trophies back to the Bernabeu.

The construction magnate invested a quarter of a billion euros ($307 million) in players, including a record 94 million on Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and vowed to build a “spectacular sporting project” to put the club back at the forefront of European and world football.

Pellegrini was charged with rebuilding the nine-times European champions and making them into a team capable of challenging Barcelona while entertaining a hugely demanding and impatient fan base.

But they were dumped out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon at the last-16 stage, humiliated by third-tier Alorcon in the King’s Cup and ended the season three points behind La Liga champions Barca.

Pellegrini endured a sustained campaign in the Madrid-based sports press to unseat him, always maintaining the educated calm and courtesy that earned him the nickname “The Engineer”.

“We thought it through a lot and it’s not just the fact that we didn’t win any titles,” Perez said.

“We believe that it’s the right moment to give a fresh boost and bet on one of the best coaches in the world.”

(Additional reporting by Emma Pinedo)

(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Mourinho poised as Real sack Pellegrini

Real Madrid were poised to appoint Jose Mourinho as their coach after the Spanish giants sacked Manuel Pellegrini on Wednesday.

Following weeks of frantic media speculation, Real ditched Chilean Pellegrini in favour of the flamboyant Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to the Champions League title and the Italian league and cup double last season.

President Florentino Perez told a packed news conference in the bowels of the Bernabeu stadium that the 47-year-old Portuguese would join Real once the club had agreed with Inter on terminating his contract.

“I am ready to admit to some mistakes but the hiring of Mourinho, one of the world’s best coaches, is an opportunity that this Real Madrid, which always fights for excellence, could not afford to miss,” Perez said.

“We are absolutely convinced that we need a fresh impulse and that a coach like Mourinho can be the person to take charge of the squad for the next few years,” he added.

“Madrid bets on stability but stability for the fans is winning and being leaders. Stability is not about keeping on a coach.”

Construction magnate Perez said he hoped to complete the deal for Mourinho soon, adding that he had not yet spoken to the former Porto and Chelsea coach about potential additions to the squad.

SPECTACULAR PROJECT

Pellegrini left Villarreal to join Real last June, becoming the cornerstone of Perez’s big-money bid to bring trophies back to the Bernabeu.

Perez invested a quarter of a billion euros ($307 million) in players, including a record 94 million on Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and vowed to build a “spectacular sporting project” to put the club back at the forefront of European and world football.

Pellegrini was charged with rebuilding the nine-times European champions and making them into a team capable of challenging Barcelona while entertaining a hugely demanding and impatient fan base.

But Real were dumped out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon at the last-16 stage, humiliated by third-tier Alorcon in the King’s Cup and ended the season three points behind La Liga champions Barca.

“We thought it through a lot and it’s not just the fact that we didn’t win any titles,” Perez said.

“We believe that it’s the right moment to give a fresh boost and bet on one of the best coaches in the world.”

Mourinho said earlier on Wednesday it would be “impossible” for him to stay at Inter.

(Additional reporting by Emma Pinedo)

(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

CORRECTED – Real sack Pellegrini, poised to appoint Mourinho

Real Madrid have sacked coach Manuel Pellegrini and will appoint Jose Mourinho to replace him once they have reached agreement with Inter Milan about ending his contract with the Serie A club.

“I am ready to admit to some mistakes but the hiring of Jose Mourinho, one of the world’s best coaches, is an opportunity that this Real Madrid, which always fights for excellence, could not afford to miss,” Real president Florentino Perez told a news conference on Wednesday.

“We are absolutely convinced that we need a fresh impulse and that a coach like Mourinho can be the person to take charge of the squad for the next few years,” he added.

Pellegrini left Villarreal to join Real last June and become the cornerstone of Perez’s big-money bid to bring trophies back to the Bernabeu.

The construction magnate invested a quarter of a billion euros ($307 million) in players, including a record 94 million on Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pellegrini was charged with rebuilding the nine-times European champions and making them into a team capable of challenging Barcelona while entertaining a hugely demanding and impatient fan base.

But Real were dumped out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon, humiliated by third-tier Alorcon in the King’s Cup and ended the season three points behind La Liga champions Barca.

Portuguese Mourinho has made no secret of his wish to coach Real and will join the La Liga giants having led Inter to three major trophies last season, the Champions League and Italian league and cup double.

The former Porto and Chelsea coach said on Wednesday that it would be “impossible” for him to stay at Inter.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Real sack Pellegrini, poised to appoint Mourinho

Real Madrid have sacked coach Manuel Pellegrini and will appoint Jose Mourinho to replace him once they have reached agreement with Inter Milan about ending his contract with the Serie A club.

“I am ready to admit to some mistakes but the hiring of Jose Mourinho, one of the world’s best coaches, is an opportunity that this Real Madrid, which always fights for excellence, could not afford to miss,” Real president Florentino Perez told a news conference on Wednesday.

“We are absolutely convinced that we need a fresh impulse and that a coach like Mourinho can be the person to take charge of the squad for the next few years,” he added.

Pellegrini left Villarreal to join Real last June and become the cornerstone of Perez’s big-money bid to bring trophies back to the Bernabeu.

The construction magnate invested a quarter of a billion euros ($307 million) in players, including a record 94 million on Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pellegrini was charged with rebuilding the nine-times European champions and making them into a team capable of challenging Barcelona while entertaining a hugely demanding and impatient fan base.

But Real were dumped out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon, humiliated by third-tier Alorcon in the King’s Cup and ended the season a point behind La Liga champions Barca.

Portuguese Mourinho has made no secret of his wish to coach Real and will join the La Liga giants having led Inter to three major trophies last season, the Champions League and Italian league and cup double.

The former Porto and Chelsea coach said on Wednesday that it would be “impossible” for him to stay at Inter.

(Editing by Ed Osmond;

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Real Madrid sack coach Pellegrini, to appoint Mourinho

Real Madrid have sacked coach Manuel Pellegrini and will appoint Jose Mourinho to replace him once they have reached agreement with Inter Milan about ending his contract with the Serie A club.

Real president Florentino Perez made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday following a meeting of the club’s board.

“We are convinced that we need a fresh impulse and we are convinced that Jose Mourinho is the right person to take on the job,” Perez said.

(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Ed Osmond;

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Mourinho’s passage to Real far from secured – Moratti

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho’s dream move to Real Madrid is far from a done deal, Inter president Massimo Moratti said on Tuesday.

Moratti said his club’s relationship with Mourinho was all but over following dinner between the pair on Monday but the Champions League and treble winners are not giving up the Portuguese easily.

Reports have said Inter want around 16 million euros ($19.55 million) in compensation from Real if they move for Mourinho given his deal finishes in 2012.

“No, what do you mean it’s done, it’s the opposite. We haven’t even started,” Moratti told reporters before being asked if Wednesday would be the decisive day.

“No, it will take a bit of time.”

Some Inter fans are upset with Mourinho for the timing of his comments wishing to leave amidst their stunning treble success and feel he has stolen the limelight from the team.

The club president had been quoted in the media as saying he had been “taken for a ride” by Mourinho but Moratti firmly denied saying any such thing.

“He achieved all the objectives he had to achieve. The annoying part will be now, the pain of finding someone new,” he said, adding there was no particular name in the frame.

Fulham’s ex-Inter boss Roy Hodgson, Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez and former Inter assistant coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who surprisingly quit Catania on Monday, have all been linked with the Serie A champions.

(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Inter beats Bayern 2-0 to win Champions League

The Dutch master was bettered by hispupil when Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan strolled to a comfortable 2-0 victory in the Champions League final over a weak Bayern Munich team coached by his one-time boss Louis van Gaal.

Argentina’s Diego Milito scored twice on Saturday as Inter Milan squeezed the life out of a hesitant Bayern team to end a 45-year wait for its third title.

The victory might also signal Mourinho’s exit from Inter.

After the game, he said it was “more probable that I’ll go than stay.” He is tipped to take over at Real Madrid, where yesterday’s final was played.

The Argentina striker Milito scored in the 35th and 70th minutes at the Bernabeu Stadium to add the title to Inter’s triumphs back in 1964 and ’65.

The merited victory – Inter dominated the game – meant that Inter coach Jose Mourinho completed the triple triumphs of the Champions League and domestic league and cup successes and became only the third coach to win the title with two different clubs.

Mourinho, who won it with FC Porto in 2004, out-thought Bayern coach Louis van Gaal, the man he worked for while they were at Barcelona. This time the pupil was the master as Mourinho relied on his solid defense to snuff out the threat of Bayern’s Arjen Robben and expertly won the game on the counter-attack.

Milito’s two goals were taken with style and he had great support from attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder and defensive midfielders Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti, the Inter captain who collected the trophy in his 700th appearance for the club.

The loss meant that Bayern missed out on the treble, having also won the domestic league and cups.

“We were not good enough to impose our game,” Van Gaal said. “Inter only reacted but they still won deservedly. The timing of the goals was decisive. The players learned today that it comes down to small details.

“I still have the feeling that we could have won. There were no great difference. We attacked, Inter defended. but you have to be in great shape to beat Inter and we were not today.

I still think Inter merited the win.”

Franz Beckenbauer, honorary president of Bayern, said Inter deserved its victory.”Bayern did not have its day. We had a few moments at the start of the second half but that was not enough,” he said. “They made fewer mistakes.”

After the final whistle, Mourinho walked onto the field and was congratulated by his players in a low key celebration by his standards. In the past he has been known to race across the pitch to celebrate some of his most famous victories, infuriating opposing supporters.

Before the medal ceremony, he left his Inter players and walked over to the Bayern camp, hugging van Gaal as he had promised at the news conference on the eve of the final.

Although Bayern had chances early in the second half, Inter’s defense was rock solid as it has been all through the competition, especially when it knocked defending champion Barcelona out in the semifinal.

The triumph was also a big one for Mourinho amid speculation that he might walk out on Inter and move to Real Madrid, the club that plays at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

The first half was a tale of the contrasting fortunes of two Dutchmen.

Bayern’s Arjen Robben, left rolling on the ground after three solid tackles by Inter defenders in the first 13 minutes, earned himself three shooting chances but couldn’t recreate the accurate strikes that eliminated Fiorentina and Manchester United.

Inter’s Wesley Sneijder, by contrast, forced Bayern ‘keeper Joerg Butt into a punching save and set up the first half strike by Milito.

From a huge kick upfield by Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Milito headed the ball on to Sneijder who returned it immediately with a superbly accurate pass through the Bayern defense. Milito held off a defender before firing past the ‘keeper from 12 meters, sparking wild celebrations among the Inter fans at the other end of the stadium.

It should have been 2-0 just before halftime when Sneijder and Milito combined again. This time the Argentina striker put the Dutchman clear but his shot was blocked by

Butt. In a fast-moving sequence in the opening minute of the second half, Bayern almost equalized and then went close to falling 2-0 behind.

Bayern opened up the Inter defense and Hamit Altintop presented Thomas Mueller with a clear shooting chance only for the 20-year-old striker to see his shot bounce off the ‘keeper’s legs.

Inter survived that scare to break out at the other end.

Milito burst down the left and crossed to Goran Pandev, whose left-footed lob was acrobatically finger-tipped over the bar by Butt.

Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar matched that when Robben’s shot from the corner of the area appeared to be curling inside the far post but the Brazilian dived to push it away.

It was a crucial save as Inter broke out to score a second which effectively killed off the game. Samuel Eto’o's pass found Milito on the left and the striker twisted past Daniel van Buyten before firing inside the far post in front of the Inter fans.

Mourinho likely to join Real Madrid

London, May 23 (IANS) After guiding Inter Milan to a Champions League final win over Bayern Munich that sealed his second career Treble, Jose Mourinho admitted he was ‘more likely to leave than stay’ and is interested in joining Real Madrid.

The Portuguese became only the third coach to win Europe’s premier competition with two different clubs – he won it with Porto in 2004 – and now he wants to go one better.

‘I want to be the only coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs.’It’s more likely that I will leave rather than stay. The Champions League I won at Porto (2004) was my last game there and this time it will almost certainly be my last game for Inter. I want another challenge in my career,’ Mourinho was quoted as saying by Rai TV.

‘It’s not definite that I’ll go but I want new risks, new experiences, and now is the moment to decide.’

He also hinted that Real Madrid are willing to take him.

‘Great season, incredible season. But at this moment I have not many words to describe how I feel because it’s almost for sure that I will leave. Real Madrid is the only club that wants me. It is an enormous club, a club that wants the same as me; I want to win, I want to feel important, I want to keep winning.

‘My target now is to win another championship where I have never won it and another Champions League… And then I return to England,’ said Mourinho.

Milito helps Inter end 45-year wait for Europe’s top prize

Madrid, May 23 (DPA) A goal in each half by Argentina striker Diego Milito helped Inter Milan overcome Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League final Saturday in Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium and end the Italian club’s 45-year wait for Europe’s top club title.

Coach Jose Mourinho may have dominated the build-up to this year’s final – not least because of what looks like his impending move to Real Madrid – but Milito stole the show on the pitch with two clinical finishes to help Inter become the first Italian club to register the treble of domestic league, cup and Champions League.

‘I cannot explain how I feel,’ said Milito, who also scored in all three Champions League knockout rounds as well as netting the winner in the Italian Cup final against AS Roma.

‘It’s a joy I have never experienced before. It is great for the club. It is a unique sensation. This is football. I’m very happy. I always fought. I always tried to give my maximum.’

Bayern were going for a treble themselves, but without the suspended Franck Ribery were overly reliant on Arjen Robben and were unable to break a resolute Inter defence down.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal said Ribery’s absence made a huge difference. ‘It is always easy to say after a defeat that Ribery was missing.

‘We also played without Ribery against Lyon and Juventus and half the season. I don’t think it is respectful to the other players to point out the players that are missing.

‘But in a team with this style we need a creative player and Franck is a creative player and we missed him.’

Mourinho, meanwhile, joins Ernst Happel (Feyenoord and SV Hamburg) and Ottmar Hitzfeld (Borussia Dortmund and Munich) as the only coach to have won the European Cup/Champions League with two different clubs.

The Portuguese cried at the final whistle and certainly acted like he was saying farewell to Inter, but said in the press conference after the game, that he was the coach of the Seria A club and not Real. ‘I am very, very proud to be coach of Inter.

‘If I become coach of Real, would be because they are a huge club. They want to win. They are like Inter, they want to win not only at home, they also want to win in Europe.’

However, when he was asked directly when he was going to speak to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, he said Monday.

He also confirmed that there were discussions going on between clubs. ‘But I don’t know my next project yet,’ he said.

Inter president Massimo Moratti noted his coach’s emotional response to the victory.

‘I hope it was not a sense of guilt,’ he noted wryly before adding that repeating the feat of his late father Angelo, who steered Inter from 1955 to 1968 was a magical feeling.

‘It’s a beautiful thing and I hope it remains in the heart of everyone as it did 45 years ago. We won a great cup and the team deserved it very much. Tonight we have to celebrate, then we’ll see.’

Although the Nerazzuri started the stronger, Bayern displayed the resilience that has been their trademark this season and slowly began to settle with Robben nearly finding Ivica Olic at the near post after 10 minutes.

Inter had to wait until the 18th minute for their first goal threat when a Wesley Sneijder free-kick took a slight deflection but Hans-Joerg Butt pushed the ball away to safety.

Despite having the edge in terms of possession, van Gaal was left fuming in the 35th minute when his side fell behind to a simple route-one effort from Inter.

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar’s long goal-kick was steered into the path of Sneijder by Milito, who latched on to the Dutchman’s return ball before clipping the ball over the advancing Butt to make it 1-0.

Samuel Eto’o nearly made his way through the Bayern defence two minutes later but Martin Demichelis managed to clear the danger while three minutes before the break Milito set up Sneijder, but the Dutchman fired straight at the approaching Butt.

In an electric start to the second half, Thomas Mueller nearly levelled matters when found by Olic in the box, but Bayern’s best chance of the match came to nothing as the midfielder’s weak strike was easily dealt with by Julio Cesar.

A minute later, Goran Pandev’s curling effort from the edge of the area was turned away by Butt as Inter almost caught the German champions out on the break.

Hamit Altintop’s shot hit the side netting on 53 minutes as Inter began to sit back, while nine minutes later Robben whipped in a fierce free-kick from the left that broke to Mueller, but his shot was headed clear by Esteban Cambiasso.

Julio Cesar was called into action once again on 65 minutes when he managed to claw away a Robben shot that looked destined for the top corner as Inter continued to play a dangerous defensive game.

Cristian Chivu was replaced by Dejan Stankovic shortly afterwards, having struggled for long periods against Robben, but with 20 minutes remaining Milito struck the killer blow with his second goal of the game and sixth goal of this season’s Champions League campaign.

Milito beautifully controlled Eto’o's pass before ghosting past Daniel van Buyten and calmly slotting the ball past Butt to make it 2-0.

Milito was given a deserved standing ovation when replaced by Marco Materazzi in added time as Inter fans celebrated their third Champions League triumph after distant successes in 1964 and 1965.

‘I am very happy for the president. He deserves this. The club deserves it,’ said Milito.

I would be calling the shots at Real, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has made it clear that he will be the one making decisions about the Real Madrid first team should he leave Inter Milan and take over from Manuel Pellegrini as coach of the Spanish side.

Real coaches must work under the demanding management trio of president Florentino Perez, director general Jorge Valdano and sporting director Miguel Pardeza.

Portuguese Mourinho, who led Inter to a Champions League triumph on Saturday at Real’s Bernabeu stadium, was quoted by Spanish media on Monday saying that he needed assurances from the La Liga club that he would be free to run the team himself if he took charge.

“I want to see what they can offer me so that I have no concerns about being able to start my work,” the 47-year-old was quoted as saying by As sports daily.

“The president is not the one who wins, he’s not the one who plays and nor does he decide who is in the team and who is on the bench,” he added in Marca.

“That’s the responsibility of the professionals: the coach, the technical structure that depends on him and the players.

“I believe that the coach is a very important person in the whole club structure because he should lead all the departments linked to the first team.”

Real have yet to make any official comment about whether Chilean Pellegrini, who has a year left on his contract, will be sacked and replaced by Mourinho.

After becoming only the third manager to win the Champions League with two different clubs, Mourinho hinted he was on the verge of joining Real.

“I need to meet with some (Real) people with whom I have not yet spoken to,” As quoted the former Porto and Chelsea boss as saying in their Monday edition.

“I want to get to know the people, listen to their impressions and know exactly what they expect of me and the conditions,” he added.

(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Patrick Johnston; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Milito’s form shows why he was picked says Maradona

Diego Milito will have the same chance as Argentina’s other in-form strikers to earn a place in their World Cup side, coach Diego Maradona said on Sunday.

Milito, one of six strikers in Maradona’s 23-man squad, reached the heights of European football by scoring both goals in Inter Milan’s 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in Saturday’s Champions League final in Madrid.

“I’m not surprised by Milito. He’s had a spectacular season, but then so have the others, Lio (Messi), (Carlos) Tevez, ‘Kun’ (Sergio Aguero),” Maradona told a news conference.

“Milito has proved me right for picking him. Whoever is in the best form will play,” said Maradona, whose first-choice pair appear to be Messi and Gonzalo Higuain.

“There are no first-team players and no reserves (in the squad),” added Maradona, who wiped his face with a towel after his players practised in a downpour at their training base.

Maradona, whose team face Canada in a farewell match at River Plate’s Monumental stadium on Monday (1930 GMT), said the players were all in great spirits and anxious to work towards the South Africa finals starting on June 11.

“In 1986 we had a build up of 70 days, today we are barely 20 days away and I still don’t have my full 23,” said Maradona. Milito, Inter team mate Walter Samuel and Bayern’s Martin Demichelis had not yet joined up with the squad.

“But the players have understood that you experience the World Cup the way we are living it,” said Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning captain, who has often stated that he knows what it takes to win the trophy.

“I want to have them all sharp… We can give anyone a good fight, a footballing fight, because we have a good game and good players. This squad are similar to that of ’86 because they have hunger for glory.”

Argentina face Nigeria, South Korea and Greece in Group B at the finals in South Africa.

Maradona, who had criticised Inter coach Jose Mourinho for his side’s ultra-defensive performance in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final away to Barcelona, said he would not give up on attack come what may.

“Not at any price. If I renounced attack it would be a sin with the players I have,” he said. “I think that if we play the way we should we’ll do well.”

(Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Grand occasion as Inter reclaim European crown at last

Inter Milan’s 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final will be remembered more for Diego Milito’s two brilliant goals and the sub-plots and intrigues surrounding the game rather than the football.

Staged in Real Madrid’s awe inspiring Santiago Bernabeu stadium, UEFA president Michel Platini’s idea of switching the final from a Wednesday to a Saturday night lent even more drama to the event than usual. The noisy, rollicking input from both sets of fans created an unforgettable atmosphere.

A moment of shared respect summed up the essential bonhomie of the occasion and it came when Milito, waving at the crowd in celebration, suddenly realised he was waving at the Bayern fans.

But instead of booing him the German supporters warmly applauded him back.

Inter defender Lucio, who used to play for Bayern, spent much of the post-match celebrations talking to his former team mates after crying tears of joy.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho hugged Bayern winger Arjen Robben — they were together for three years at Chelsea — during a short break of play in the first half.

Mourinho and Bayern manager Louis Van Gaal, whose friendship goes back to their days together at Barcelona, even hugged before the end of the game with Inter’s victory all but assured.

At times it was more of a love-in than a win-at-all-costs final, but there was hardly a malicious tackle or a cross word and the game more than lived up to expectations.

While never a classic, it was still totally enthralling. Mourinho said his men “followed my instructions perfectly” and eventually finished as convincing winners.

THIRD TIME

The bare facts show that Inter have become European champions for the third time, after a wait of 45 years since their second title in 1965, and Mourinho became only the third man to become European champion with two different clubs following his success with Porto in 2004.

Inter have also become the first Italian side to win the treble after winning the Serie A and Cup double earlier this month, and Milito himself has reached heights he could barely have imagined when he joined Inter at the start of the season.

The two goals he scored to beat Bayern capped an astonishing run of personal success after scoring the only goal against AS Roma when Inter won the Italian Cup on May 5, and the only goal last Sunday against Siena when they clinched the Serie A title.

The 30-year-old Argentine now heads to South Africa for his first World Cup, while Mourinho looks all set to leave Milan.

Conspicuous by his absence from Inter’s welcoming party back in Milan, he now seems certain to take a permanent place in the Bernabeu dug-out as Real Madrid’s new manager.

Milito could follow him to Spain as perhaps could his inspirational Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

While Mourinho won his personal duel with Van Gaal, Sneijder ultimately had more impact than his friend and Dutch international team mate Robben, who worked tirelessly down Bayern’s right but could not find a goal for either himself or his misfiring strike pair Ivica Olic or Thomas Mueller.

LONG CLEARANCE

Milito made his presence felt. He got the breakthrough after 35 minutes when he chose his spot perfectly after a long clearance upfield by goalkeeper Julio Cesar. He made the game safe 20 minutes from time by rounding Daniel Van Buyten, switching feet and giving Hans-Jorg Butt no chance with a curling inswinger.

Inter’s fans and their players celebrated their long-awaited success for almost an hour after the game ended, while Mourinho only briefly joined the party raising and lowering the European Cup in one swift movement — leaving centre-stage to his players.

The only other men to win the European Cup with two different clubs were Ernst Happel (Feyenoord in 1970 and Hamburg SV in 1983) and Ottmar Hitzfeld (Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayern in 2001).

With time on his side, there seems little doubt that Mourinho has more Champions League victories in him — wherever he may end up in the future.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Beaten Bayern eye 2012 Champions League home triumph

Bayern Munich were gracious in defeat after losing the Champions League final to Inter Milan on Saturday and already thinking about possibly winning a fifth European Cup at their own stadium in 2012.

Louis van Gaal’s side missed out on an unprecedented treble for a Bundesliga club of domestic league and Cup and Champions League as they were outplayed by Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan to lose 2-0 at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium.

“Of course it’s annoying to lose the final after such a fantastic season but Inter played a great match and deserved to win,” Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club’s website (www.fcbayern.telekom.de).

“But as after the defeat (in the final) in 1999, now we will put the work in so that we can win the Champions League again within the next two years,” added the former Bayern forward and Germany international, who also had a spell playing for Inter in the 1980s

Bayern lost the 1999 final in Barcelona in dramatic fashion to Manchester United after leading for most of the match before going on to beat Valencia on penalties to win in 2001.

Club president Uli Hoeness on Saturday was left thinking about what might have been if Thomas Mueller had converted a chance to equalise early in the second half.

Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar blocked the attacker’s shot superbly with his legs and later denied Dutch winger Arjen Robben with an acrobatic save.

“If Mueller had put the ball in just after the break maybe something might have clicked,” Hoeness said.

“But I said before the final that we have had a fantastic season and we shouldn’t let it be spoiled because we lost,” he added. “The final is in Munich in 2012 and especially for the younger players there is still a lot to dream for.”

Twenty-year-old forward Mueller was barely consolable, saying that Bayern had missed a great chance to add to an already incredible season.

“It’s a massive disappointment,” he told reporters.

“The squandered chance in the 46th minute was a bitter moment for me,” he added. “That’s also a reason why I am not feeling so great right now.”

(Editing by Patrick Johnston; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

‘Special One’ Mourinho verbally agrees to move to Real Madrid

London, May 18 (ANI): Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho is all set to join Spanish giant Real Madrid and has already submitted his players wish list.

According to Spanish media reports, Mourinho has reached a verbal agreement with Real Madrid to become their next manager.

The Special One’s representative, Jorge Mendes, has had talks with Real Madrid to thrash out a deal for Mourinho, where he also outlined the manager’s transfer targets, The Mirror reports.

The list includes Benfica’s in demand trio of Angel Di Maria, David Luiz, and left wingback Fabio Coentrao.

The former Chelsea boss will be in Madrid on Friday to prepare for Inter Milan’s Champions League final clash with Bayern Munich. (ANI)

Sir Alex thinking about retiring

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has uttered the retirement word again, and said he had been thinking about when and how he would leave Old Trafford.

The Manchester United boss, 68, is considering the best way to bow out.

“It’s always in the back of your mind. Your health does come into it. My dad retired and the next week he was diagnosed with cancer.

“The other thing that’s important is the expectation of Man United. If we hit a bad spell, it wouldn’t be time to go,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Earlier, Ferguson had said that he had no intentions of retiring at the end of next season, and insisted on carrying on with his work.

“I’ve no intention of retiring. The only thing that determines my staying here is my health. Unfortunately for you lot, I’m in rude health,” Ferguson said.

“You can be left to suffer me. You’ll be gone before I’m gone, don’t worry,” he added.

Media reports had suggested that Ferguson may not be far off retirement.

Several names have also been linked with the post, including Everton manager David Moyes and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho

Pellegrini suspects the worst over his Real Madrid future

Manuel Pellegrini spoke as if he suspected his days were numbered as Real Madrid coach when he gave his pre-match news conference on Saturday ahead of the last game of the season at Malaga.

The nine-times European champions are one point behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, who host Real Valladolid at the same time on Sunday.

An exciting final-day showdown, however, may not be enough to save Pellegrini, who has clearly been affected by the steady stream of rumours in the media linking Inter Milan’s Jose Mourinho with the Real job for next season.

“All year, and especially in recent weeks, perhaps there hasn’t been a clear reply (from the club on my continuity),” Pellegrini told reporters.

“Amidst the uncertainty I have always had the support of the players.”

The Chilean said he felt there was no smoke without fire over the reports he would not be completing the second year of his contract, but defended his record over the last year.

“I don’t think Real speak behind the back of their coach, this isn’t their style,” he added. “But I am not so innocent to believe that all the rumours are simply speculation by journalists.

“If, for whatever reason, the project doesn’t continue the person who comes in will have a difficult job… he will have to win more than 100 points in the league to do better than me.

“I know failing to win a title isn’t good but I don’t think the final decision will change much whether we win the league or not.”

Real were embarrassed by third tier club Alcorcon in the King’s Cup and dumped out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon at the last 16 stage in March.

In the league they have fought a neck-and-neck battle with Barcelona that has seen La Liga milestones smashed by both sides.

The previous points record for a season of 92, set by Real in 1997 when there were 22 teams in the top division, has been passed by both clubs and could reach 99 on Sunday if Barca beat Valladolid.

Pellegrini’s future is unlikely to be known immediately, but a local media frenzy is expected when Mourinho leads Inter Milan to the Bernabeu for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on May 22.

(Writing by Mark Elkington, editing by Alison Wildey. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)