According to reports in the Italian press AC Milan are ready to sack manager Leonardo at the end of the season and will challenge Juventus for the signing of Rafael Benitez from Liverpool.
The Spanish coach has not seen his reputation harmed on the continent this season, despite the Anfield side’s troubles, and appears to be an early favourite to take over the tactical duties at the San Siro.
It is believed that former Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos is another possible candidate to take over, should Benitez commit his long-term future to Liverpool.
The Rossoneri have improved recently under Leonardo’s stewardship pushing up to third place in Serie A, but with a ten point gap on leaders Inter and having lost twice to their neighbours the pressure is building on vice-president Adriano Galliani to wield the axe.
Milan face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League in the coming weeks with voices off the pitch hinting that defeat could spell a premature end for the current coaching regime.
Benitez famously engineered the Liverpool win against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final when his side fought back from a 3-0 half-time deficit to steal victory on penalties.