By Football Talk.
Sampdoria have confirmed that their coach Luigi Del Neri has left the club and is on his way to Juventus, ending speculation that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez would be the man to take over in Turin.
Juventus have been on the look out for a replacement for Ciro Ferrara in recent months and Benitez had been widely tipped to take over this summer after a difficult season on Merseyside. After initial talks looked promising, negotiations stalled and Juventus have been forced to look elsewhere and Sampdoria appear to have confirmed Del Neri will be the new man at the helm.
“Del Neri is leaving. I think he’ll go to Turin,” Garrone told Italian news agency Adnkronos.
“Sampdoria announces that for the 2010-11 campaign, they will not continue with the services of first team coach Luigi Del Neri,” read the statement.
“The club wants to thank the coach and his staff for the professionalism and
dedication shown this season and wishes them the best of luck in their future
careers.”
So Rafa Benitez will not be leaving Liverpool for Juventus after-all, but his future at Anfield is far from certain despite this news. Inter Milan have been linked with him in recent days if, as expected, Jose Mourinho leaves for Madrid. Benitez is also highly unlikely to stay on as Liverpool boss without the ownership issues sorted out and the promise of transfer funds to strengthen his squad.
