Moratti claims Mourinho deal 'not even close'

Cindy Garcia-Bennett,Pa
Wednesday 26 May 2010 10:32 BST
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(REUTERS)

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Real Madrid fans will have to play the waiting game to see Jose Mourinho land at the Bernabeu stadium, according to Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti.

Reports in Spain claim Mourinho's move to Real could be done in a matter of hours, but Moratti offered a different view.

Asked if everything was settled with Real Madrid for Mourinho's transfer, Moratti told the club's official website, www.inter.it: "No. Not even close, actually quite the opposite.

"We haven't even started (to discuss it).

"We will need a bit more time."

Mourinho, who is under contract with Inter until June 2012, led the Nerazzurri to arguably the best season in club history with a Coppa Italia, Serie A and Champions League treble.

The former Chelsea coach does have a get-out clause in his deal which he is set to exercise provided a fee of 16million euros is paid to Inter.

Moratti has praised the Mourinho for bringing "a winning mentality to the club" in his two seasons in charge.

However, he was less than impressed by Mourinho's timing in announcing his desire to leave the club.

Mourinho claimed he was on his way out in the week Inter were preparing for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, a game they won 2-0.

"I don't feel fooled," said Moratti. "The annoyance was overcome as Mourinho's concentration remained the same and he achieved all the aims that he had to achieve.

"But the annoying part comes now, with the damage of having to find someone new."

Dutchman Guus Hiddink has been strongly linked with a move to the San Siro while Italy's leading sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in today's issue devoted its front page to the need for England manager Fabio Capello to take the Inter reins.

Gazzetta's front headline read: "Capello - Inter, three reasons to say yes.

"He inherits a strong squad, he can launch a challenge with Mourinho and the president (Moratti) has liked him (Capello) for some time."

Capello is preparing England for next month's World Cup.

The 63-year-old has coached AC Milan, Juventus and Roma in Italy.

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