Inter Milan's victory brings to the fore rift among top brass

Benitez ultimatum after Cup win

Abu Dhabi Instead of basking in the glory of having won the Fifa Club World Cup, something which he failed to do with Liverpool in 2005, Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez served a near ultimatum to club boss Massimo Moratti.

Goals by Goran Pandev, Samuel Eto'o and by substitute Jonathan Biabiany helped European Cup champions Inter Milan quell the challenge of African champions TP Mazembe of Congo in Saturday's final but the post match press conference was more about the Benitez-Moratti spat.

It was clear that there was a growing rift between club boss Moratti and coach Benitez and on the eve of the Club World Cup, the Inter boss did not make it easy for the Spaniard with 25 years of coaching experience with his comments which was "must win" or "face sack".

However Benitez chose the moment of triumph to fire his salvo when he said unless he got new players and full support he would have to re-think his future with the Italian giants.

"I will be discussing three things now. The first is that they promised me that they will sign three players in August but we did not sign any players. So I am expecting at least four players to be signed now," he told Gulf News later.

He added: "I will not reveal who are the players I am keen on, as their prices will go up if I reveal them now!

"Inter needs to bring in new players because we have had a lot of injuries and need healthy competition for places. I'm calm, I'm motivated, and I'm sure if we get new players, the results and the team will improve significantly," the Inter coach said.

"The second is that I need full support for me to carry on with the job," Benitez said.

"And finally there is a solution in that the chairman has the option to talk to my agent and terminate the contract which is no problem for me," said Benitez.

Earlier in the press conference he said: "From the start I've been a professional. I've worked a lot for the club and I would like to get 100 per cent support. I don't want to feel guilty. The coach is not always the one responsible."

Benitez also remembered the fans and their support during his stint with Liverpool and said that he dedicated this win to his family, Liverpool fans and the Inter fans.

According to ANSA, Moratti has from his side put off any decisions now on the conditions laid down by Benitez.

"Now is not the time to ask; it's not something we will decide now," said the Inter boss in his interview with Mediaset Premium.