Inter deny Benitez approach reports

Inter Milan have dismissed reports that an approach has been made to Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez about replacing Jose Mourinho.

Current Inter coach Mourinho is being tipped to join Real Madrid in the summer with the Serie A champions' president Massimo Moratti conceding earlier this week that he would be surprised if the Portuguese is still in charge after the Champions League final.

Benitez has been put forward as a possible successor for Mourinho at the San Siro as speculation persists regarding the Spaniard's future at Liverpool.

He was heavily linked with the Juventus post in recent weeks before Luigi Del Neri was handed the job and there have subsequently been claims he has held talks with Inter.

However, Inter's technical director Marco Branca insists the club are still focusing on having Mourinho as their coach and have not been in touch with Benitez.

"No, we absolutely have not had contact with Benitez," Branca told Sky Italia. "Our coach is Jose Mourinho."

Pep Guardiola has also been mooted as a potential replacement for Mourinho, but the Barcelona coach's agent Jose Maria Orobitg has dismissed reports he could head to Italy.

Orobitg told calciomercato.it: "Him at Inter Milan? It's impossible, impossible, impossible. I categorically refute this idea.

"I don't know if Inter is interested in Guardiola, but a move to Inter is totally impossible.

"Pep is happy at Barcelona and has already said he will soon renew his contract."